To Wake up in Venice...

...is to fill your day with possibilities, magic and sighs.

Our last full day in Venice, an early start to visit St. Marks before it got busy. Everyone else (in the world) had the same idea though, but who could begrudge anyone the chance to wallow in this cultural testimony to human achievement and vision.

We took the vaporetto across the water to San Giorgio Maggiore and up to the bell tower to see a fantastic view back across to the iconic St. Marks, the Campanile and the Doge's Palace.

The heat and humidity produced a haze that added a magical quality to the scene, as if it wasn't quite real.

Back to the mainland to find our favourite place for lunch (we'd found it closed on Monday and Tuesday), a quiet little restaurant behind San Giacomo dell'Orio. This meant negotiating the streets and finding our way with map, compass and a sense of adventure that made the discovery of a lunchtime beer and pizza a reward well worked for.

A short afternoon sleep back at the hotel (the same place we'd stayed at 5 years ago and still just as charming), and then back to exploring the streets in search of a gondola.

We spied an empty one and called the gondolier over for a ride through the canals from a different and relaxing perspective where we eventually ended up back at St. Marks.

A final visit to the Accademia bridge and then a walk back to the lively Campo Santa Margherita for an evening meal and drinks at a nearby bar.

Back Blips are;

Tuesday

Monday

Thanks for the comments on the trip so far - I really appreciate it and my apologies for not being able to reciprocate in full - I'm still catching up :o)