VENICE- My first overnight train ride was on the way to Venice, Italy! I boarded the train in Amberg to Munich like I have done a dozen times but this time I brought a pillow and blanket for the long overnight ride, 2300 to 0800 waking up in Venice. It was a smooth train ride and I was able to get some rest allowing me a full tourist day once I arrived on the Island. There are two train stops in Venice, one on the mainland- Mestre and the second on the Island of Venice- Santa Lucia. I booked an Air bnb apartment on the island which was only a 10-15 minute walk from the train station. The place was excellent, perfect location, comfortable, and clean. I was met with sunshine and lots of tourist on my first day in the city. I loved the city, although Carnival had just ended the city revolves around Carnival finding lines of shops and market stalls selling masks
I dropped my belongings and freshened up for the day before heading back to the mainland, Mestre, to meet my Aunt Virginia and Uncle Joe who were flying in from the states. I was eagerly anticipating their noon arrival since I have now been in Germany for 5 months and excited to have family visit me! I have never been to Venice plus they were going to spend the next 2 days there. They had a 10 day tour of Italy through their St. Johns, Creighton University. I was meeting them at the beginning of their journey. I knew they would be exhausted but they had free time before dinner so we planned to walk around the area near their hotel. The Mestre is mainly hotels, restaurants, and shops. We did walk to the centrum, city center, with a old town feel and cute historical restored houses and shops along the way. Our reunion was joyous, I was so happy to have them close to me. We ate lunch together, paninis and pizza, excellent little cafe near the hotel then continued walking stumbling across old churches and buildings. I was able to stay for dinner since some of the people on the scheduled tour had not arrived yet. We were served an amazing three course meal, starting with a mushroom and chicken pasta as an appetizer, then main entree veal, vegetables, and rice, plus dessert and a glass of red wine. We were all exhausted and parted ways after dinner. It was an easy commute for me between Mestre and Lucia. They had a guided tour on the Venice Island Friday which was the entire day and I was included in. We met at Santa Maria dei Miracoli 1000 for mass performed by the Pastor of St. Johns. Cute, historical old church dating back to the 1600's. From their we started the guided tour, weaving through the narrow winding streets of Venice, taking a boat a couple times for the longer walking distances. We toured Doge's Palace, Basilica de San Marco, St. Mark's Square in the morning. breaking for a lunch break and exploring on your own for a couple hours. Meeting up again to see the Lace Factory near the Museo Correr and the Glass Blowing, both near St. Mark's square. I was amazed by both and the detail with the lace, all handmade, hand stitched. The glass blowing is working with extremely high temperatures and the artist can make a glass object within minutes, shocking. So cool.
After the tour we walked down one of the many streets of St. Mark's square and they again included me for dinner at a local Pizza restaurant. Again a 3 course meal included lasagna as a started, entree, and the best Tiramisu ever! A sad goodbye at the end of dinner, as my Aunt and Uncle continued on their Italian adventure and I stayed the rest of the weekend in Venice. It was an incredible full 2 days with both of them and their friends, tour group were so including and welcoming to me. I was extremely lucky and fortunate to have been able to plan this trip. Jeremy was in the field for a training exercise the entire 10 days they were in Italy so I traveled to see them alone. I enjoyed the rest of the weekend, touring both Murano, the Glass Island, and Burano, the vibrant colored houses and Lace Island. and of course walking around more of Venice that I had not seen. I loved the Rialto Bridge, although yes it was covered by scaffolding. The Rialto Markets- fish and vegetable/ fruit markets. My favorite little restaurants to grab a lunch or dinner snack would be- Cichetti. Al Bottego 992 Dorsoduro district, Cantina de Mori 429 S. Polo district near the Rialto fish market. I would like to try Osterio All Arco 436 in S. Polo too but it was closed when I walked by. The highest point on the Island is in Dosoduro and great panoramic views from across the Grand Canal of St. Mark's Square. On the way to this point stop by the Guggenheim Gallery 701 and The Saint Maria De Salute Church is also worth a visit! Gorgeous both inside and outside.
MURANO- Easy commute with a 24 hour ticket that covers all public boat transportation. From Venice the boat took about 30 minutes to arrive at Murano. First stop Colonna, exit the boat and go left towards the Glass Factory where they demonstrate three different glass blowing objects. Amazing! Secondly, I went to the Basilica dei Santi Maria de Donato. I could spend all day in this church. The tile on the floors were amazing. Each one unique and part of a whole design. Cheisa de San Peitro Martire, 1437. Campo Santo Stefano with a massive blue Murano glass structure in front of this 19th century clock-tower. From Murano to Burano at Faro stop, line 12.
BURANO- Quick commute from Murano to Burano, at the port I walked straight down the narrow pathway with shops on both sides. This island is known as, the Lace Island. The island is a fisherman's island, so the sailors' were able to locate this island as opposed to the hundreds of others by the vibrant colors that one can see from miles away. Since this island revolves around fishing, the women started learning to mend/ sew by repairing their fisherman's net. This later expanded to more elaborate design with the lace doilies, runners, table mats. Each one handcrafted and stitched with elaborate detail and now days with colors. Things to see- La Perla- lace shop on Main street with all items handmade. via Galuppi 375. Scuola del Merletto- Lace museum and lace demonstrations, the Queen Margheritas' lace gown that she wore is on exhibit in the museum. San Francesco del Deserto Church only open to tourists from 9-10 am and 3-5 pm.
