October 9, 2024
Up early to get in line for tickets to San Marco Bell Tower. The Campanile di San Marco is the bell tower of St. Mark’s Basilica. It is the tallest building in Venice, standing 323 ft (98.6 m) tall. It offers superb views of the city.
The original tower was used as a lighthouse for the sailors, as well as a belfry. At the top of the Tower stands a golden statue that represents the archangel Gabriel. Of the five original bells only the largest remains. The others, now replaced, were destroyed when the tower collapsed in 1902. From the top there is a spectacular bird’s eye view of the city and the lagoon.
University graduation happening today at St. Mark’s Square.
We then boarded the boat taxi for a cruise around the Grand Canal.
I spotted a travel lift!
St. Mark’s Bell Tower and Doge’s Palace from the water.
Got off the boat to check out the “Jewish Ghetto”. The Ghetto of Venice, is Europe’s first “ghetto,” the ancient Jewish quarter in the center of the city. The Senate of the Most Serene Republic of Venice issued a decree March 1516 confining the Jews present in the city to a separate enclosure, segregating them from the rest of the population and marking it Italy’s first and oldest ghetto.
Continued walking around, had a pizza lunch.
Fast foods in Venice.
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Saw lots of graduates wearing laurel crowns. The laurel wreath crown (la corona di alloro) is traditionally given to students after graduating college to celebrate academic accomplishments. The students wear the wreath after graduation ceremonies for the rest of the day.
We went for a walk before dinner. Boarded a Navy sailboat that they use for training purposes. The Amerigo Vespucci is a sailing ship owned by the Italian Navy, built as a training ship for the official students of the Naval Academy.
Dinner tonight - Baked sea bass and tiramisu
Today is Julia’s last full day in Italy. She flies home tomorrow. It has been great travelling with her! This leg of travel to Italy has been fun but frustrating at the same time. Getting pickpocketed really put a damper on the travel and added a level of frustration and anxieties. I have found that a few of my hotels were canceled because of the theft of my cards. Thanks to Janie, a great travel agent and friend, for all her hard work to keep me going!
October 10, 2024
Walked Julia to the boat taxi dock at 2:50 am for her trip to the airport. She is on her way back to Nanaimo.
I checked out of the hotel and checked into the Hotel Mercurio for one night? Grabbed a quick breakfast and headed off to catch the ferry to Murano.
The ferry made a stop at the Venice cemetery. The San Michele Cemetery has been Venice’s principal cemetery since its creation in 1807. The cemetery is located on the island of Isola di San Michele between Venice and Murano. In addition to the main consecrated Catholic burial ground, there are separate Protestant and Eastern Orthodox sections catering to non-Catholics. The Jewish cemetery of Venice, however, is located on the island of Lido.
Glass stores everywhere!
This lady was playing the glasses, it sounded heavenly!
Love this…. 2,000 euros
Pretty door
I had an appointment with Mazzega glass factory at 10 for a tour of their hot room. Mazzega is the oldest glass factory in Murano.
Bowls were 2000 euros each! All have 24k gold leaves.
Marco Toso Borellla does beautiful pictures with white and 24 k gold sheets.
Had lunch and headed to my glass blowing class at Wave Murano Glass. Robert Beltrami, is the youngest master glassmaker in Murano. It was such a fun afternoon! Met my teacher but I cannot remember her name! She gave me a tour of the hot room. Went over what the mater glassmakers were working on, their procedures, and their machines.
Went over safety procedures and process, then started!
Made a small vase and a bowl and bought a very contemporary vase from Wave, all will be shipped. It was so much fun!
Stayed a bit longer to watch the experts at work!
Took the ferry back to Venice and unpacked at the new hotel. Did a walk around because the sun was out.
Royal garden
Lasagna for dinner!
This featured blog entry was written by Samchow58 from the blog The next chapter.
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