The Best Food (So Far)

Posted on July 11, 2013 by TED

Today we (finally did something rare on this trip, we slept in. Not that we were not waking up late but today we moved late to later. A little less pressure for all.

When we finally got on the move we headed out to the Dorsoduro section of Venice for lunch and general look around. We had lunch at Ristorante lineadombra previously, loved it and decided to try again. It did not disappoint, Razor clams, fish tartar, Salt Baked Sea Bass, all wonderful. Overlooking the Giudecca Canal with a spectacular view it has the prices to go with the location but is worth the effort if you can get there.

After lingering in Dorsoduro for a while longer we worked our way back to Piazza St. Marco with no agenda but ideas and one of the first ones worked out, the Doges Palace. Although the Piazza was crowded our late arrival presented us with no lines and an easy tour. After the palace we gave Syd one of her requests, a ride on a gondola. Again the late hour came into play and although the canals were still busy it was not as bad as in the height of the day. Our Gondolier has been at his job for 35 years and gave us a great tour.

Dinner was a match for the late lunch. Osteria – Enoteca Ai Artisti near the hotel had fantastic home made pasta, ravioli filled with cheese and herbs and veal medallions and prosciutto that all hit the mark. A good day for the foodies.

Last full day in Venice and still love the place. The Palazzo Stern is one of our favorite hotels, a rich visual environment to stay in. With its location on the bend in the Grand Canal Kim and I cannot get over a slight Disney feel to the place. The bend at the Grand Canal here is a sight for the eyes but just big enough to be a fake possibility. Hard to describe but would not trade it.

The princess at lunch.

Piazza St. Marco from Fondamenta Salute

Sydney ready for her Gondola ride.

A Venice Canal

As seen by Syd.

End of the Work Day

Posted on July 10, 2013 by TED

Gondoliers wrapping the day up.

The Other Venices

Posted on July 10, 2013 by TED

Today we escaped Venice proper to two of the nearby islands, Murano and Burano. When we checked in to the Palazzo Stern in Venice the Desk mentioned that the glass makers in Murano were going out of business due to the flood of inexpensive glass from other parts of the world. We had planned to visit the islands on previous trips, never made it, and the comments prompted us to make the journey this time.

Murano is the noted glass making island in the Venetian Lagoon, the glass makers were forced to re-locate here from Venice over fears of fire. Schiavon Glass gave us a great tour where we got a great demonstration of glass blowing. True artists here, made glass blowing look easy. We asked the guide on how the local glass market was fairing and he confirmed that the lower end glass makers were in trouble but the higher end makers like them were ok, the pieces they make were too complex to be knocked off easily. So they felt ok, we shall see how long this lasts.

After Murano we moved over to the island of Burano, noted for its lace making and colorful buildings. Easily our favorite island, we all agreed we liked the industry (glass) on Murano but all liked the laid back feel of Burano better. A great break after the hustle of Venice.

Done, back to that busy city. We were going to take the Vaporetto back around Venice to our hotel however Sydney insisted we walk back. This was across the widest part of Venice and although the city is small the ‘street’ layout can provide quite the challenge to navigate which it did. Lots of exercise going back and forth thru the ‘roads’, up & down over the bridges. Oops wrong turn… Try this way…