Dateline Venice, Italy the city of canals – 14 June, 2009. Steve is now behind the wheel on this posting.
As we made inquiries to friends that had travelled to Venice previously, there seemed to be no neutrality. Venice illicits either scorn or praise. Some find it a turn off while others have suggested it is the most romantic city possible. I fall into the second camp.
Our Celebrity Summit ship approached Venice from the southeast at roughly 10:00 in the morning, traveling eastward along the southern side of the city. The views from the 10th deck, for me, were simply breath taking. The architecture and consistent colors of the buildings and towers grabbed a hold of me. We passed just south of St. Mark’s Square and its bell tower and clock tower. We eased by the mouth of the Grand Canal and slid into our slip. We’d hoped to depart at noon.
However, this swine flu pandemic has folks up in arms. The Italian officials delayed our departure by an hour as they had us file additional health paperwork, kind of a bureaucratic self policing policy. Pushing paper with no results.
A water taxi swiftly transported us to St. Mark’s Square. We toured the 900 year old St. Mark’s Basilica, we’re told one of the oldest buildings in San Marco. We viewed and photographed the entire magnificent square, from the bell with two male bell ringers atop the clock tower while enjoying the striking of the hour from the Bell Tower. Doge’s Palace is impressive as are the gondoliers all along the waterfront east and west along this strolling boulevard.
We headed off to Rialto, the bridge adorned with shops. Then traveled the Grand Canal, taking in a truly amazing engineering accomplishment in my opinion. We then journeyed to the island of Murano - the glass blowing and artistry capital of Europe. This quaint island removed us from the hustle and bustle surrounding Venice as we found it quiet, slow and simple on this Sunday afternoon. After some window shopping and a comfortable lunch water side, we headed south back to Venice’s St. Mark’s Square. We found the rooftop of Hotel Daniele that had been recommended as a site to drink and experience the gorgeous views. Perfection comes to mind as this hotel lobby is beautiful and the shaded rooftop was classic with the views southward overwhelming. Personally, I was loving the sight of hundreds of watercrafts of all sizes, shapes, makes and models throughout the day.
After drinks, we did as had been suggested by many; we savored a gondola ride with our gondolier Victorio. I found his accent stunning, his powerful biceps alluring and his looks absorbing, I lost myself in his eyes…I mean Tracy did.
I’d looked forward to a cocktail at Harry’s Bar – a tradition there in Venice where the Bellini is said to have been invented and claims of Hemingway’s haunt. However, we were rejected at the door as I was sporting shorts. We closed our last dinner back on St. Mark’s Square, surrounded by locals and site-seers, classic bands outdoors dueling each other. A wonderful wind down. Closing out with the water taxi to Summit.
As we made inquiries to friends that had travelled to Venice previously, there seemed to be no neutrality. Venice illicits either scorn or praise. Some find it a turn off while others have suggested it is the most romantic city possible. I fall into the second camp.
Our Celebrity Summit ship approached Venice from the southeast at roughly 10:00 in the morning, traveling eastward along the southern side of the city. The views from the 10th deck, for me, were simply breath taking. The architecture and consistent colors of the buildings and towers grabbed a hold of me. We passed just south of St. Mark’s Square and its bell tower and clock tower. We eased by the mouth of the Grand Canal and slid into our slip. We’d hoped to depart at noon.
However, this swine flu pandemic has folks up in arms. The Italian officials delayed our departure by an hour as they had us file additional health paperwork, kind of a bureaucratic self policing policy. Pushing paper with no results.
A water taxi swiftly transported us to St. Mark’s Square. We toured the 900 year old St. Mark’s Basilica, we’re told one of the oldest buildings in San Marco. We viewed and photographed the entire magnificent square, from the bell with two male bell ringers atop the clock tower while enjoying the striking of the hour from the Bell Tower. Doge’s Palace is impressive as are the gondoliers all along the waterfront east and west along this strolling boulevard.
We headed off to Rialto, the bridge adorned with shops. Then traveled the Grand Canal, taking in a truly amazing engineering accomplishment in my opinion. We then journeyed to the island of Murano - the glass blowing and artistry capital of Europe. This quaint island removed us from the hustle and bustle surrounding Venice as we found it quiet, slow and simple on this Sunday afternoon. After some window shopping and a comfortable lunch water side, we headed south back to Venice’s St. Mark’s Square. We found the rooftop of Hotel Daniele that had been recommended as a site to drink and experience the gorgeous views. Perfection comes to mind as this hotel lobby is beautiful and the shaded rooftop was classic with the views southward overwhelming. Personally, I was loving the sight of hundreds of watercrafts of all sizes, shapes, makes and models throughout the day.
After drinks, we did as had been suggested by many; we savored a gondola ride with our gondolier Victorio. I found his accent stunning, his powerful biceps alluring and his looks absorbing, I lost myself in his eyes…I mean Tracy did.
I’d looked forward to a cocktail at Harry’s Bar – a tradition there in Venice where the Bellini is said to have been invented and claims of Hemingway’s haunt. However, we were rejected at the door as I was sporting shorts. We closed our last dinner back on St. Mark’s Square, surrounded by locals and site-seers, classic bands outdoors dueling each other. A wonderful wind down. Closing out with the water taxi to Summit.
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