WorldTravelReynolds

Our second day in Venice started early with a great breakfast sandwich and some strong espresso at a local cafe, the aroma of fresh pastries and brewing coffee a delightful way to start the morning. Our mission today was a deep dive into Venetian history and architecture with a fantastic walking tour.

Our first stop was the iconic St. Mark’s Square, a vibrant mix of tourists, pigeons, and locals headed to work or just enjoying the day. The sheer scale of St. Mark’s Basilica, with its intricate mosaics and five domes, was breathtaking. We also took a moment to admire the Doge’s Palace, a stunning example of Venetian Gothic architecture and the Sansovino Library, housing countless literary treasures. A beautiful area just to sit and admire.

Stepping next door inside St. Mark’s Basilica was like entering a world bathed in golden sunlight. The overwhelming impression was one of shimmering mosaics – over 41,000 square feet! WOW! These intricate artworks, crafted from millions of tiny glass tiles, depicted scenes from the Bible and the lives of saints.

The influence of Byzantine art and architecture was evident throughout. Venetian artisans, inspired by their travels to the Eastern Roman Empire, had incorporated features like the Greek cross floor plan and the towering domes. Even the opulence of the interior, with its gold leaf accents and marble floors inlaid with semi-precious stones, spoke of the Byzantine love for luxury. The beauty throughout was glorious.

Leaving the basilica, we continued our tour, venturing over to Doge’s Palace. The luxurious state rooms, adorned with paintings by Italian painters, Tintoretto and Veronese, tell stories of the Venetian Doges who once ruled with absolute power. These rooms, with their glittering chandeliers and inlaid marble floors, showcased the wealth and prestige of the Venetian Republic.

Our guide explained that construction of the Doge’s Palace began in the 14th century, a symbol of the Republic’s growing power. Over the centuries, it was expanded and modified, reflecting the city’s changing fortunes.

The stark contrast between these affluent spaces and the dark, dank prisons were a little creepy. These cramped cells, barely lit by slivers of sunlight, housed prisoners of all classes, from political protestors to common criminals.

The Bridge of Sighs, a white stone bridge connecting the Doge’s Palace to the prison, took on a new meaning as we pictured the faces of prisoners crossing it, their last glimpse of freedom before confinement. Another form of the door of no return in Africa. Although these had a better chance of being released.

No Venetian adventure is complete without a visit to the Rialto Bridge, the oldest bridge in the city. We were able to see it for a few minutes but not enough time to take in the full experience of the marketplace with vendors hawking fresh produce, handcrafted souvenirs, and fragrant flowers.

For the grand finale, our guide took us through the Warehouse of the Germans, a very affluent mall with red carpet rolled out, to the top floor. Stepping outside, the panoramic view of Venice was simply unforgettable, a maze of canals, red-tiled rooftops, and the shimmering expanse of the green Adriatic sea stretching out towards the horizon. Such a beautiful sight.

Wrapping up day two in Venice was a whirlwind of history, art, and architectural marvels. We left with sore feet, tired legs, but our heads were full of history. A beautiful city in Italy. We will be back if the opportunity arises.

We walked onto the ship joining an additional 1000 passengers that includes 230 kiddos bringing our first count around 1800. During our trek around Africa many people chose to either debark in Dubai and come back in Ravenna, end their world cruise in Dubai or take some side trips just like we did. Between Cape town, South Africa and Ravenna, there were only 800 passengers and only about 10 children. It was like our own private yacht! But reality is back and it’s crazy!

Our return to Ravenna to meet our ship, a 2 hour drive away, wasn’t without hiccups. An hour into our trip we were stopped by local police. A random stop but took some time off our trip to supply passports and credentials. Our driver was very apologetic but I think he was happy that we weren’t upset.

We will be in Trieste, Italy and Koper, Slovenia the next two days. We will stay on the ship to rest since we’ve toured here before. Between now and the end of the cruise, it’s going to be busy. After that we will be in Zadar, Croatia to see some waterfalls! Looking forward to this one.

May God bless you always.

Chuck and Lea Ann