Venice... and it's Just The Beginning

Just off St Marks Square 

We arrived in Venice this afternoon, the 10th July, after a 36 hour three flight trip. Got a water taxi from the Airport direct to our Hotel, which was an amazing way to see the canals and be introduced once again to Venice.

A view just down from the Rialto bridge

It's 7-00 am on Thursday morning, the 11th of July. Our hotel is just on one corner of St Marks Square, and we are currently listening to the bells of St Marks Square tolling away.

An iconic view from the Rialto Bridge

Had another six hours of walking around this incredible city, on our second day. Every where you look there is another amazing view. The feel of the place is unique, with no "city sounds"as we know them, no cars, no traffic noise, just the sounds of motor boats, music, Italian voices, tolling bells and the smell of sea air, it creates a very different atmosphere.

Another Visual Symphony 

Enjoying the ambiance of the Grande Canal 

It's now the 12th July and our last day in Venice "on our own", tomorrow we board the ship and begin the cruise. So today we visited St Mark's, and went up on the roof for some incredible views.

The "Manet" art exhibition was next on the schedule, proving to be a fantastic discovery, and a highlight of the day for Ruth, in a day of highlights.

We then jumped on a water ferry for a trip up the Grande Canal, and back again. Took way to many photo's, that you will all be able to view, at your leisure, when we get back :-)

A visit to the Doges Palace for a couple of hours, then back to the hotel to freshen up, before we go out and find some dinner, another amazing day!!

St Marks Square

The Riviera in Dock waiting for us to board tomorrow 

On the trip down the Grande Canal we went past the "Riviera" sitting in the dock preparing for our boarding tomorrow, for the beginning of the cruise. Can't wait !!