Day 3 - Thursday - 26 November - Venice Italy on Viking Star

Happy Thanksgiving!   Patte, Phil and I have breakfast and store our luggage at the front desk, since we will board the Viking Star later today.  This morning there is more to see in Venice.  Dave is not feeling well so he's staying at the hotel.

Water in St. Mark's Square -- Notice the high pathways.

Water spilling from St. Marks Basin on to the Square.

As we enter St. Mark's Square -- we are amazed at the water level -- almost the entire square is underwater.  High pathways have been installed so people can walk around ----- vendors sell knee-high plastic boots for 10 euros a pair.  As we look out towards the San Marco Canal (St. Mark's Basin) there are two eye-catching columns by the waterfront.  One is topped by a lion, the symbol of Venice and of St. Mark, the patron saint.  The second is St. Theodore (first patron of Venice) along with his dragon.   There was a third column but it fell off its barge into the drink before it could be placed with the others.   The columns are striking today but in times past convicts were executed between them -- some Venetians avoid walking between these columns.

 Moving on to the Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) which was the residence of the Doge (elected ruler) and administrative center of the Venetian Republic  -- construction of the current building started in 1340 with numerous changes over the centuries. In 1923 this building became a museum.     

Pat and Patte at the Grand Staircase - Doge's Palace.

The Doge lived on the lower flours with the upper levels housing administrative chambers.  Large magnificent paintings cover the ceilings and walls of the palace   including "Paradise" by Tintoretto -- the largest oil painting in the world measuring 23 by 75 feet -- completed in the late 1500's.

An example of the art work which covered ceilings and walls of the Doge's Palace --

The Prigioni Nuove (new prison) built in 1640 is separated from the palace on the east side by a narrow canal and an enclosed bridge:   the "Bridge of Sighs" which earned its name in the 19th century from "Childe Harold's Pilgrimmage" by Lord Byron.

View a Prisoner would have of St. Mark's Basin as he/she crossed the Bridge of Sighs.

Our self-guided tour complete -- it is on to "Harry's Bar" -- the home of the Bellini cocktail. The story goes:   Giuseppe Cipriani  opened Harry's in 1931 after Harry Pickering, a young Bostonian, repaid a loan from Cipriani of 10,000 lire with 50,000 lire giving instruction to open a bar named "Harry's".    Phil and Patte have a Bellini (Prosecco and peach nectar) -- I opt for a cappuccino.   The bar is small and feels like one has been transported to the 1940's.    It is most definitely a tourist trap -- the Bellinis cost 16,50 Euros each.   The cappuccino was delicious (although it could have been hotter) -- it seemed like a bargain at  6,00 Euros.

Phil and Patte enjoying a Bellini at Harry's Bar in Venice!

After our refreshment -- we move in the direction of the hotel by way of the Gritti Palace -- which dates back to 1475 when Andrea Gritti, Doge of Venice, commissioned it.   It was the official residence of the Gritti Family and later of the Vatican ambassadors to Venice.   It is now a fancy hotel.  When we arrive -- the palace is being decorated for Christmas and the public areas are closed.

Back at the Palace Bonvecchiati -- we find Dave sitting in the lobby .  After gathering  our belongings we walk along Calle dei Fabbri.  The plan is to board  the #1 vaporetto at the Rialto Bridge  to Plaza Roma to the People Mover and,  hopefully,  to the Viking Star.

The  ride down the grand canal to Plaza Roma is wonderful --  things are going well -- we follow signs to the People Mover --- see a light rail waiting -- get on -- and something just doesn't seem right.    Looking around  at the situation an uneasy feeling comes over me.   I think we should get off -- my compatriots agree.   The response from the proprietor of the newsstand when I inquire about the location of the People Mover confirms my uneasiness.   She points in the opposite direction of the vehicle we were on.    What a close call  -- had we stayed on the light rail we would have ended up on the Italian mainland.   

St. Mark's Square from the Ship -- Doge's Palace on right with prison just to right of small bridge.

We find the "People Mover" -- buy our tickets -- get on the train -- and off we go -- we can see the ship which is most comforting.  

Our bags are  surrendered for delivery to our cabins -- check -in is speedy -- security is thorough and since it is after 1:00 pm -- our cabins are ready.    

This ship is gorgeous -- brand new -- and a different set-up than other vessels.   Viking has married the best of the river cruises with the best of the ocean cruises. After a tour of the ship to get our bearings -- our luggage has arrived so we unpack. Dinner reservations are at 6:30 pm in Manfredi's -- the Italian restaurant on board.  The food and the service is superb.    It has been a good  long day but we are  all exhausted -- we have earned our right to go to bed early.

Thanks for Reading!

Pat