Exploring Venice: Rialto Bridge & Gondola Ride - Day 12Buongiorno! This morning I woke up to the sound of the water taxis outside my hotel window. What a cool sound! Here is my view from my bedroom: 
EXPLORING VENICE - THE VIEW FROM MY HOTEL BALCONY
There are doors that open up and voila - I am on a small balcony right on the canal! So, not only is my experience in the city of Venice very different from visiting Rome and the Tuscan Countryside, because of its uniqueness, but, here, we are staying in a hotel. Being a big city and all, and wanting to mix up our stay with various accommodations, I booked us into a quaint boutique hotel. And may I add, a hotel was just what the doctor ordered! It was nice to have a formal staff of friendly faces in such a bustling city. 
ON RIALTO BRIDGE WITH KESELY FOR AN EARLY MORNING WALK
We ate quickly and mostly, on the run yesterday. Today, we decided to leisurely stroll around and be choosey about where we eat. Can we ever get sick of Italian food - NEVER- especially pasta!! So, today we all agreed that we needed to indulge once again on our favorite food! 
LOVELY VIEW FROM RIALTO BRIDGE
While Mom and Gianna were still sleeping, Kelsey and I ventured out early this morning to walk around. The air was very cool and crisp as we made our way from our hotel down the narrow streets, through early morning locals and tourists and merchants opening up their stores. We made our way to the Rialto Bridge and down to the Grand Canal to see the Gondoliers getting ready for their day to begin. 
EARLY MORNING GONDOLIER STARTING HIS DAY
Oh - and let me add how wonderful it was to have an unexpected chat in real time with Tanya. I was writing my daily, when I had to leave the computer for a moment and when I came back, I saw text in her daily column so I knew she was online!! We chatted very briefly, before she had to hurry off. It was a nice surprise. After a lunch of penne pomodoro, decided to take a Gondola ride! I found this great article about that was very helpful for me - if you're planning a trip to Venice or are just interested in knowing about gondola rides, it's definitely a good read! Breezy and oh, so sunny, today was perfect for our gondola ride. Our gondolier pointed out famous sites and gave us tidbits of factual information and he even sang for us! If you did read the article link above, you now know that the Gondoliers are required to wear a striped shirt, black pants and shoes and an optional hat. (I wore my black & white shirt in honor of the ride!). 
OUR FIRST GONDOLA RIDE!
Unfortunately, Gianna really didn't enjoy it as much as the rest of us. She was frightened with the movement unsteadiness of the gondola and also felt a little seasick. :-( Hopefully, she will have a good time tomorrow morning on our Lion Tour!! Till tomorrow, Ciao! -E | Brugge - Day 12Greeting everyone! Hope everyone is having a happy Sunday! I'm here in Brugge! Such an adorable city! We arrived last night, after a day of running around all over the place! Starting at Sea, porting in Southampton, making our way to London to catch the Eurostar. 
Then to Brussels where we spent the day, and finally taking the train to Brugge last night. Had some major frustrations with iMessage and not being able to contact anyone! I was up super late messing with the thing. And, the stupid thing is still not working! UGH! Heading out to have a bit of breakfast and then we have 2 bike tour that we are scheduled for today: This morning we have a Medieval City Tour. This afternoon will be a Flemish countryside bike tour. Oh well, have lots more to tell ya, but I gotta get moving! I should be able to upload lots of more pictures later today! Cheerio for now, -T |
