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Italy for the New Year {Venice-Day 6}

On Day 6 of my trip, I woke up to a beautiful sunny day in Venice.  First thing I did was make my way St. Mark's Square for a tour of the Basilica.  The line had been long on the previous day, so I figured if I got there when it opened I could miss the line.  This strategy worked.

 The mosaics outside the Basilica tell stories, specifically of the theft of St. Mark's body from Alexandria, Egypt in A.D. 828.
 The detail everywhere is amazing.  They don't allow photos inside, but the gold mosaic is unlike any other Basilica you will see.  Google "St. Mark's Basilica Photos Interior" and just browse the pics if you are interested.  It's stunning and worth a look.
 The Clock Tower in St. Mark's Square (Torre dell'Orologio)
 San Marco Column
 San Marco Column on left, San Theodore Column on right



 La Fenice Opera House that was next door to my hotel
Built in 1792, it has seen the first performance of many famous Operas.
 Traffic Jam, Venice Style

 I spent a good portion of the day on a 3 island tour.  First stop was Murano.  We were whisked off the boat and immediately into a glass factory to see some glass blowing.
 We saw this vase being blown, and I purchased a similar vase at that company store.
We had a short time to walk around on our own before the boat left.

 Not enough time to explore much of the island, but enough time to hit up a few stores and take some pics.

 Looking back toward Venice



Next stop was Burano.  Here is the short video I took as we approached Burano.
Notice: (1) their bell tower leans, and (2) the tour guide has the most stereotypical Italian speaking English accent ever.

Burano is a fishing island and also famous for lace making.

 All the buildings are brightly colored and I could not have loved it more.



We had a fair amount of time there and yet, I almost missed the boat because I was so caught up in the lace shopping!



 Stopped in a bakery for some special cookies they make on Burano (they would become my dinner).





 The last stop was Torcello, which is scarcely populated, but is the oldest populated island in Venice.







 The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta on the left, and Santa Fosca on the right.
Y'all.  This was founded in 639, and first renovated in 864.  It is OLD.





 Hemingway hung out at this Cipriani hotel in 1948 when he was writing Across the River and Into the Trees.
After Torcello, it was time to head back to Venice.  Per usual, I took the name of my purse (The Neverfull) as a challenge.
I got some good pics from the water coming as we came back into Venice.





 I walked back to my hotel to unload my purse, and then set out for Rialto Bridge.  I wanted to get there before the sunset.
 The Grand Canal
Rialto Bridge



 The shops on Rialto Bridge
 Sunset over the Grand Canal
 I crossed over the bridge from San Marco to San Palo and walked through the markets a little bit.
Then I meandered back from Rialto to St. Mark's.  It was a route I hadn't been before, so there was lots to check out.  I stopped in many shops and worked to fill my purse back up.
 I like this last shot I took of the day... The Campanille with a small sliver of the moon rising.

That's almost a wrap on Venice.  Stay tuned for the last day of my trip... Venice, and back to Milan.  

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