Venice

Day 2-4- VENICE!!!

As you can tell, our plan to cruise the Med in luxery fashion was thwarted.  So, we moved onto plan B, thanks to Grandpa and Nana, which was Roadtripping Italy Minivan style!!  We figured, we were all in Italy, everyone had 1 week off of work, so we might as well make the most of it. 

 Backing up a bit, after we arrived in the airport we were all so shocked and exhausted, my parents suggested we stay overnight just outside of the airport to regroup and figure out what our plan was going to be.  After much prayers and some quick planning, we were able to put together a fantastic kid friendly road trip!! 

The first stop on our Italian adventure was the beautiful and unique water city of Venice!!  So, the next morning, we got up, packed up our rentalvan and my dad embarked on our 4 hour trip to Venice.  (side note: let me tell you how hard it is to find a big van in Europe, these little eco cars are for the birds).  Knowing little about driving in Italy he took the bull by the horns and got us there, no wrecks, tickets or accidents to boot!  We even stopped at a gas station on the way and had gnocchi for lunch!  Can you imagine gas stations in the States serving gourmet Italian food?  Venice here we come!

Bryon and Daniel in the main area of Venice.  When we arrived and checked into our hotel, I asked the man at the desk what all there is to do in Venice.. His response was exactly what I hoped someone from Venice would say... He said, "Oh, just let yourself get lost..".. WHAT, I LOVE IT!  So that is exactly what we did!

Some of the gondola boats lined up along the Grand Canal.  Being Wintertime, only certain companies were running tours, most had their boats docked until warmer weather. 

Me just before boarding our Gondola boat.. I'm uber excited if you can't tell.  Bryon felt he had to capture it on camera, lol.  Did you know there are no roads in Venice?  Public transportation is via boat and pretty much everything in the city is by foot.  If you don't want to walk, you can hire a taxi which is also a boat!  I was in Venice a long time ago, but it was a totally different experience this time being older and with my family. 

More beautiful shots of Venice.  Such a unique city.  My dad said he could never live there because there was very little green.  I don't know if we saw any grass or trees.  It is a very lively city in the summer though with lots of street artists and musicians, local Venetian resturants, vendors, etc. I remember on my previous visit having my portrait painted by a local artist.

Self portrait from the gondola boat.  FYI, did you know Venice is built all on wooden beams!  No cement, no nothing.  And living in Venice is soo expensive, pretty much everyone commutes into the city every day.  Most of the homes are rented our to tourists, the locals can't afford them!

Beautiful shots from our gondola boat.  Because there were so few other boats at that time, the water was pretty much still and the only sounds were of our gondolier singing.   Of course my dad pipes in, aren't you supposed to sing "That's Amore!!"  Geez dad.. Make it known we are American :) 

 More from the Gondola ride.  We passed alongside of Mozert's second home where he came to Venice for inspiration as he composed.  It was neat seeing people's private votes and how restaurants had boat parking areas vs car parking lots.

 

Molly watching the gondolier and checking out another boat heading our way.

Daniel and I snuggling on the gondola boat ride. I know we had a great group shot that I cant' find at this moment.  Will it and any other good ones as I find them later on :)

Feeding the birds that followed us onto the 'bus boat' as we headed towards our hotel.  Everything is so much more special with Nana and Grandpa here.  It wasn't just feeding birds, it was an experience :)

Got to have a picture of the kids running in every major place we visit.  We have these from the Eiffel Tour, Louvre, you name it!  Now we have the main square in Venice to add to the list. 

This was our attempt at a picture of the kids with Nana and Grandpa.. Didn't' turn out so well, but the memory was well worth it :)

Bryon hates this picture but it is the only one of us we have from Venice, so I have to include it!!  Me and my love in the City of Lovers!

Venice by sunset.  WOW.