Venice, Italy

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  Venice, Italy
Thursday, October 4, 2007

After our 4 hour train ride from Rome to Venice and arriving into Venice quite late the previous night we decided to venture out early. With this in mind we were desperate to see beautiful canals, the many bridges of Venice (400 of them) and gondolas.  We had fairly high expectations of Venice, and we weren't disappointed. Venice is divided into six districts, and we walked through the quieter districts first.  The quieter districts were "suburban", not many restaurants, cafes, etc and no designer / boutique shops, although it was still very interesting. 
 
After getting lost in the streets of Venice, we finally found a vaporetto station (ferry station), and got on a vaporatto to Murano.  Murano, home of Venetian Glass, upon arrival we were offered to join a demonstration of glass making techniques and tour of one of the many furnace outlets. It is an amazing and skillful technique to watch intricate statues of horses, vases and chandeliers being made.
 
From here we decided to venture to the Piazza San Marco Venice's most famous sight (A.K.A Pigeon Central) for those that unaware I (Belinda) have a phobia of birds.  Initially, just walking through the piazza was a mission in it's self but with lots and mean lots of coaching from Rob I managed to become a friend of the birds and I was welcomed into the community of Pigeonville. So for those that are aware of my phobia, the pictures are for real and I have overcome the phobia.
 
The Piazza of San Marco is tourist fuelled, so watching many others embrace the atmosphere was a splendor to watch. In the Piazza you can purchase anything from a balloon from a vendor to purchasing corn to feed the pigeons (for 1 Euro, in which you don't need to do as the birds are accustom to humans and simply putting you arm out they will come to you). Not only are there birds but a 15th Century Clock Tower and a Basilica which are all worth a look from the Piazza.
 
October 3, 2007
 
After having a day of exploring the mainland and Murano we decided to explore the island where we were staying, Lido. The main reason to Visit Lido is for the beach, so that's exactly where we headed. Rob and I hired bikes rode to the other side of the island (around 10km) were we kicked back and enjoyed the lunch time sun at Alberino. The water was surprising clean and very chilled with still numerous locals and tourist lining the beach shore.
 
After returning our bikes we decided to head back to the mainland where we contemplated on doing the gondola thing but after hearing an offer $100 Euros for 40min we decided maybe not and considering we had seen most of Venice by foot and vaporette it wasn't our worthwhile.

Post your own travel photos for friends and family Pictures

Arrival into Venice	On the Vaporetta	One of the many canals	One of the many bridges
Capt Bel	One of the many gonadalas	Murano Furnace	Pigeonville, San Marco Piazza
Our mate	Over the fear!	Showing off now	San Marco Piazza
Sunset	Lido Beach

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