Venice, Italy

Happy Fourth of July America.
(No one over here cares haha)

We are in venice and were able to ride gondolas around the back canals. So beautiful and old (the city not the gondola).

We are so exhausted I can't even think about today so once we hit a slow time I'll write all about.

We came into Venice by private taxi - which looked just like the one from the tourist. And then we jumped into gondola and had a Italian singer serenade us. So amazing.

I can't believe how old and rundown Venice is, it's really sad how its falling apart.

We only had a few minutes after the gondolas to explore so we popped into the Hotel Danieli. It is an old grand palazzo which the doge's family used to live in. Now it's a beautifully faded hotel. (it's featured in several movies set in Venice)

We are headed back to Venice now to visit a glassblower and then out to Murano. After that it is straight to Florence!

This morning it rained on us as we entered Venice but it soon cleared up. We were some of the first tourist to arrive in town so we basically had st marks to ourselves. So beautiful.

Then we made our way to a glass blowing factory. They do not allow any photos inside the factory so I cannot show anything. It takes 15 - 20 years to apprentice a glass blower. The Murano glass they create is spectacular (& spectacularly expensive - none for us.)

Next mom and I set off on our own to explore. I love the back streets and canals. We came across a little bakery with fresh croissants and goodies. So happy to eat something so yummy and fresh and uniquely Italian. The croissants had a bit of honey drizzles over them. Hmmm.

Next up was a forty minute boat ride to Burano for lunch and a lagoon tour. Super excited about seeing the lagoon. They say we can see the new tide protection they are building to help control the flooding of Venice. (there's a cool documentary on tv about them... I am a dork, yes!)

I'm really excited about today's drive to Florence. Tuscany is a place I have been dying to see.

Okay I now have a new favorite island in Venice... Burano.
If you are ever coming to Venice I can give you a name for an amazing family restaurant. Ahhhh perfection. I ordered chicken while everyone else ordered fish.
My meal consisted of: mozzarella and tomatoes, lasagna, risotto, chicken, salad, fries, and little dessert breads to be dunked in wine. (mind you, I am not a wine drinker but I had to try it --- so fun and yum) I am stuffed!

I will put up pics of the food. The family that owns the place was so much fun and so lively. Perfecto for lunch.

After that we wandered along the main canal in Burano, shopping and photographing. You seriously cannot take a bad photo in this place. (be sure to check my Facebook in several day for all of the pics) every person we met was so welcoming and friendly and full of personality even if we didn't speak the same language we felt at home. Ahhhh I've missed that feeling since London.

I would happily come back to Burano to spend days!!! And it makes me want to go visit the villages of Tuscany, because Burano is how I think it would be.

Ahhhh but now back to the bus and onto Florence!