Kieran and I set out on our own adventure into Venice today in search of a few sights we hadn't managed to see yet as well as pick up a few Christmas gifts and feast on an Italian lunch…and that we did! Since Kieran had been before, he is able to get us around pretty quickly and easily. Our first destination, the Rialto Bridge, went against my expectations to say the least. As with the many bridges in Venice, I just expected one that was larger because it was so famous but it was actually lined with stores and vendors and VERY crowded.
We shopped around for a bit and after we took a few photos and picked up a Christmas gift or two then crossed over to the opposite side of the bridge that was loaded with restaurants. Kieran ordered a pizza and I went with traditional pasta that was so simple and basic, but perfect. We make it wrong in the US!
After lunch, we ventured to the other side of Venice to check on our lock on the Ponte dell'Accademia and see if it was still there from a month or so ago when we were there last. It looks like, with the damage done to the bridge over the years, they cut the locks off every year or two to take the weight off the bridge. We were both so excited to see that it was there, just missing its yellow polka-dotted ribbon!
We made our way towards St. Mark’s Square, the most crowded place in Venice, I think! St. Mark’s Basilica sits right on the square and had a line that appeared to be long, but continuously moving. Kieran and I decided we should try to go inside and we are so glad that we did. It was absolutely beautiful with floor to ceiling mosaics and paintings – leave no spot untouched. The entire front of the Basilica was composed of solid marble columns and absolutely unbelievable. We walked through the church with our mouths on the ground. Now, I've seen a lot of churches and Cathedrals, but this one takes the cake. Off to the side, there are some small sections for prayer and Kieran and I sat down for a few minutes and said a few prayers before lighting a candle and exiting the basilica.
On the walk back to the ship, we had to stop and have the mandatory scoop or two of gelato (mine was crème brulee and ahhh-mazing!) for the long walk back to the ship.
I love Venice. Scratch that. I love Italy.
After lunch, we ventured to the other side of Venice to check on our lock on the Ponte dell'Accademia and see if it was still there from a month or so ago when we were there last. It looks like, with the damage done to the bridge over the years, they cut the locks off every year or two to take the weight off the bridge. We were both so excited to see that it was there, just missing its yellow polka-dotted ribbon!
We made our way towards St. Mark’s Square, the most crowded place in Venice, I think! St. Mark’s Basilica sits right on the square and had a line that appeared to be long, but continuously moving. Kieran and I decided we should try to go inside and we are so glad that we did. It was absolutely beautiful with floor to ceiling mosaics and paintings – leave no spot untouched. The entire front of the Basilica was composed of solid marble columns and absolutely unbelievable. We walked through the church with our mouths on the ground. Now, I've seen a lot of churches and Cathedrals, but this one takes the cake. Off to the side, there are some small sections for prayer and Kieran and I sat down for a few minutes and said a few prayers before lighting a candle and exiting the basilica.
On the walk back to the ship, we had to stop and have the mandatory scoop or two of gelato (mine was crème brulee and ahhh-mazing!) for the long walk back to the ship.
I love Venice. Scratch that. I love Italy.
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