VENEZIA

After a day and a half in Rome, we were off to Venice. We took the train from Roma Termini to Santa Lucia, passing fields and fields of sunflowers and cute, little Italian towns along the way.

We stayed on the island Lido which is a quick vaporetto (bus boat) ride from Venice. Lido was a breath of fresh air away from the main tourist spots, and our hotel was awesome. The first night we actually got upgraded to a very sweet suite with a gorgeous view of Venice. If you ever go to Venice, check out Hotel Riviera; it's very reasonable, clean, looks like a fancy 1920s hotel, and has an amazing breakfast buffet - something you rarely find if you are doing Italy on the cheap like we did attempted to do.:)

That evening, my sister and her boyfriend Diego met up with us as they were on the end section of their trip and had just been in Milan. We had our first real sit down mean with wine, beer, pizza, and spaghetti, and we were so excited to see each other and engorge ourselves that we forgot to take a picture.

The next morning, after breakfast of course, we jumped on the vaporetto and hopped off at the first San Marco stop. Walking into St. Mark's Square and seeing St. Mark's Basilica was enthralling, and we quickly got in line to go inside the very old and very famous church. 

 St. Mark's tomb

 Gorgeous mosaics

 St. Mark's Piazza

 Morgan & Diego taking in the sights from the balcony

 the hubby and I in front of the basilica in St. Mark's Square

Next, we found a little place to stop for lunch and refill our water bottles. The water fountain below is something you will find all over Italy, filled with fresh water from the Alps - loved it! Then we were off again to walk around and take in the sights.

 sisterly love in Venice

 looking out from the Rialto Bridge

 the hubby and I on the Rialto Bridge

After wandering around we checked out Frari Church. I can't tell you how gorgeous churches are in Italy - really most of Europe for that matter. Many are centuries old with famous pieces of art everywhere the eye looks.

That evening, we wandered around and got lost, something I actually highly recommend doing if you are ever in Venice - it's an island so you won't go too far. We got to see so much of this one of a kind city and got away from the main touristy spots. We also got to see how deserted it is unfortunately becoming in some areas.  We ate dinner in a quiet, little square before venturing off to find some gelato for dessert. Boutique Del Gelato is the best gelato in Venice. We should know since we ate there three nights in a row and would have continued had we stayed in Venice longer.

Then on the way back to the vaporetto stop to go back to the hotel, we passed by the Rialto Bridge, but this time at night, all lit up and picture worthy again.

 facing down the main canal

 

The first full day in Venice was wonderful, and though we were all exhausted, we were very excited for the next day ahead.