Day 8
We made our way to Venice, and we followed Daniela to the water taxi like ducklings with suitcases. We piled onto the water taxi and exited by the Rialto bridge, which was unfortunately under renovation. As we pulled our suitcases behind us through winding paths and uneven cobblestone, I was immensely grateful that I packed relatively light with only a single carry on. This was also one of the hotels where you had to carry your suitcase up a flight (or two or three) of stairs.
We spent a little bit of time wandering around before Daniela took us on a short orientation tour that ended at our restaurant for dinner. Prior to arriving in Venice, Daniela offered to arrange gondola rides for everyone interested. Not surprisingly, everyone on the tour was interested, so our next stop was the gondola ride. Our whole group fit into 4 gondolas, and one of them had the musicians as well. It was beautiful to sit in the gondolas as the sun slowly set on the city. We finished our night with a stroll around St. Mark's square and along the canals.
We made our way to Venice, and we followed Daniela to the water taxi like ducklings with suitcases. We piled onto the water taxi and exited by the Rialto bridge, which was unfortunately under renovation. As we pulled our suitcases behind us through winding paths and uneven cobblestone, I was immensely grateful that I packed relatively light with only a single carry on. This was also one of the hotels where you had to carry your suitcase up a flight (or two or three) of stairs.
We spent a little bit of time wandering around before Daniela took us on a short orientation tour that ended at our restaurant for dinner. Prior to arriving in Venice, Daniela offered to arrange gondola rides for everyone interested. Not surprisingly, everyone on the tour was interested, so our next stop was the gondola ride. Our whole group fit into 4 gondolas, and one of them had the musicians as well. It was beautiful to sit in the gondolas as the sun slowly set on the city. We finished our night with a stroll around St. Mark's square and along the canals.
Day 9
Venice has always been on my must-see list, and I was most excited to photograph Venice (and Switzerland). I woke up at 6am on our second day so that I could get lost (and that I did) and see the city without all the people. Seeing the normally swamped St. Mark's square almost completely empty is a memory (and photo!) I wouldn't have otherwise. I will also remember the little dog I saw wandering around, and he walked with such purpose and direction, that I couldn't help but photograph this native Venetian.
I arrived back at the hotel in time to grab some quick breakfast before our tour with the local guide Elisabeta. She shared with us information about past floods in Venice, how the canals were constructed, and how many people cannot afford to live in Venice and must commute instead. We ended our tour at St. Mark's Basilica, where we arrived just in time to watch them turn on all the lights in the church, which was a sight to behold.
After the church, we were on our own, and David and I chose to grab some gelato and walk to the other side of Venice, where there were fewer tourists and more residents. As we weaved through tiny roads we made our way to the Parco delle Rimembranze. In a city surrounded by water, constructed with brick, it was amazing to see such a large park area...maybe the only green patches in Venice.
Venice has always been on my must-see list, and I was most excited to photograph Venice (and Switzerland). I woke up at 6am on our second day so that I could get lost (and that I did) and see the city without all the people. Seeing the normally swamped St. Mark's square almost completely empty is a memory (and photo!) I wouldn't have otherwise. I will also remember the little dog I saw wandering around, and he walked with such purpose and direction, that I couldn't help but photograph this native Venetian.
I arrived back at the hotel in time to grab some quick breakfast before our tour with the local guide Elisabeta. She shared with us information about past floods in Venice, how the canals were constructed, and how many people cannot afford to live in Venice and must commute instead. We ended our tour at St. Mark's Basilica, where we arrived just in time to watch them turn on all the lights in the church, which was a sight to behold.
After the church, we were on our own, and David and I chose to grab some gelato and walk to the other side of Venice, where there were fewer tourists and more residents. As we weaved through tiny roads we made our way to the Parco delle Rimembranze. In a city surrounded by water, constructed with brick, it was amazing to see such a large park area...maybe the only green patches in Venice.