Venice!!!!

Hello from a train headed to Ljubljana. We had such a wonderful time in Venice with our friends. We hugged them goodbye with a tear in our eye today as they travel back to Houston.

We arrived into the port at Trieste, disembarked and walked to the train station. Easy enough to hop on a train to Venice - it was a lovely journey, mostly along the coast. Arriving in Venice with lots of luggage, we employed a porter to bring our luggage to our apartment - this was money well spent!

Arrival in Venice! So excited!!



After getting food and wine we did a gondola ride!



Saw these guys and Carsten said "the garbage men are here", a reference to a favorite movie! LOL


We visited this beautiful church - Mary Frari. There were many important pieces of art inside by guys I have at least heard of ...

The Assumption of Virgin Mary (by Titian 1515 1518)


The choir area

The Lion of Venice. Apparently the position of the wings, tail and paws tells you the disposition of the lion, i.e., is he teaching, preparing to fight, resting, etc. This version has his shield in his paw with wings up - ready to defend!


Rialto Bridge


St. Mark's Basilica 

The Bell Tower (we went up)


The floor inside the Basilica was beautiful.


Interior 


One of the many domes in the church this one with creation scenes in the middle surrounded by stories from Genesis and Exodus.


The cathedral has a lot of gold!


The weather has been amazing!


Me and my honey on top of the Bell Tower.


The view if St. Mark from the Bell Tower. Look at all those domes!


Bridge if Sighs, so named because prisoners were sentenced in the court on the left and walked across to the prison on the right. This was perhaps their last chance to see outside. It is said that family members would watch to see their loved ones as they crossed over to begin their sentence.


Dusk over the Grand Canal.


We had such a lovely time in Venice. I love that there are no cars, scooters or bicycles - it is so much quieter than Rome and Athens.

Next stop is Ljubljana, Slovenia. We are excited to explore a new city (and country).

Take care,

Sheri & Carsten

PS - the movie reference was from The Italian Job.








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