The Venetian Way

Hello Everybody! We are in Venice!

The Famous Grand Canal is Behind Us

You know, the place with canals instead of roads and boats instead of cars?

This is a public water taxi and taxi stop

Our hotel was a JW Marriott which is a resort. It was really cool.

My Moms have a lot of Marriott points that we have been using for special stays on the trip, and we love it!

At this JW, they gave us a private villa with a hot tub in the yard.

The whole Marriott is on its own private island. It used to be a huge hospital facility.

The view from my room 🙂

I Ioved it!

It was so hot, that most of the time, we just stayed at the hotel, but of course, we did venture out.

Each way we had to take the Marriott’s Water Taxi to the mainland of Venice! It was really fun!

The first day we went up a tower used by Galileo himself! It had excellent views of the city….

and a beautiful plaza below.

Some superstitious locals won’t walk between the columns (constructed by the same architect as the Rialto Bridge) because criminals used to be executed here until the mid 18th century

Another time we went on a gondola, which is a type of boat that Venice is famous for.

Our gondalier was great and he even told us some history about the area.

He took us through small quiet canals and also onto the Grand Canal where we saw the famous Rialto Bridge.

The Rialto Bridge, which is currently under renovation

I always dreamed of being on a gondola ride in Venice. But actually being on one was just way better than I imagined!

There is something very calming about the water everywhere.

Everyone should try it at least once in their lives.

After the gondola ride we went to a restaurant recommended by our friends, the Pattersons.

No surprise, do you see I am enjoying pasta and clams — Again!

We were so bummed out because the Pattersons were in Venice only a few days before us, but we didn’t know it!

After dinner, we stopped by the famous square, that we saw from the tower view, Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s) and listened to live music from several different outdoor dining areas.

I think they call them feuding musicians. Have a listen right here!

It was fun to run from one side of the plaza to the other listening to them play.

On our way back on the Marriott yacht, we met a family from New Jersey. The next day I met their kids at the pool and we had a great time ( while my Moms packed)!