Mosquitoes! Have been bitten several times in the last couple of days. Considering Venice was built is a marsh area to begin with, should have known to bring some spray.
We decided to tour Doges Palace today. Here’s a hint…pre-purchase your tickets so you don’t have to wait in line. I wasn’t sure that we would take the time to tour the Palace but am very glad that we did…despite the ½ hour wait. It is quite costly to do the self guided tour with entrance fees of 13 Euro each and then the audio guide was another 8 Euro for both of us. However, the tour was a couple hours long and extremely interesting. The highlight was the Bridge of Sighs from the inside on the way to the dungeons. This was the last glimpse of the outside world before entering the prison and it is said prisoners would sigh at their last glimpse.
From the window on the Bridge of Sighs
It was a beautiful hot day again today and so, while we were out walking decided now was a good time for a Gondola ride. Again, quite expensive at 80 Euro for the 30 – 40 minute ride but a must do if you are in Venice with someone special. We chose a gondola away from the main crowds because we wanted less of the Grande Canal and more of some the quieter canals. Venice in the spring in a Gondola…what more can I say!
Gondola Ride
One of 425 Gondoliers
For supper, Karen had read in the book “Chow” (a guide for eating in Venice), that the Al Nono Risorto in the San Croce area in Venice, was a good place to eat. Let me tell you it isn’t. The food is poor quality, it’s no bargain and the staff were not friendly. Probably the worst restaurant we have eaten at in 3 weeks.
Another thing I wanted to do in Venice was to take in a Vivaldi Concert. The Four Seasons was being played at Scuola Grande Di San Teodoro and the musicians were playing in period costumes. It was an excellent performance and for anyone that enjoys classical music, this was a treat. The cost was 35 Euro each for the better seats.
Vivaldi Concert
Maestro!
The saying…”bring half the luggage and twice the money” certainly rings true for our stay in Venice.
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