Italy Trip, Day 3: Venice

Freitag, 22 März 

Today, there was a strike and no vaporettos. But no problem: I just took a traghetto, a 2 Euro gondola instead (to cross the Grand Canal). Started off the day with a cafe americano and the best marmalade filled croissant I've ever eaten with my new friend, Marina:

All sorts of goodies; even breakfast pizzas!!

Then, we visited St. Mark's Basilica. Stunning Byzantine influenced architecture :

Just look at that gold leaf!

And that flooring!

Gothic figures, complete with characteristic Gothic S-curve

Largest gold enamel altar in the world. Totally gem encrusted and finely detailed.

Bridge of signs, street level

St. Mark's Square astronomical clock, in the morning sun

Then, we toured the Doge Palace (or as I call it, the Dog's Palace):

Clocks in every room!

Largest palace room in Europe, I believe. See all those heavenly hosts on the far wall?

View from within Bridge of Sighs

Wouldn't wanna live here.

Then it was Traghetto time:

Santa Maria della Salud, our next stop.

Then we waltzed through some side alleys to the Accademia Bridge:

 We parted ways after a gelato, then I browsed the fantastic collection of the Accademia. It's home to the Vitruvian Man, but unfortunately they only show it to the public once every 10 years!

Later, I enjoyed another candlelit dinner at Osteria No. 1, but this time with the hostel owner and friends. I had quite possibly the best spaghetti I've even eaten:

Oh, and I acquired a musical mask of course.