LFMSS Europe 2012: The Most Serene Republic

That is what Venice used to be called, before Napoleon came in and did away with Venetian self-government after 1000 years of glory. Venice is a city unlike any other - there are no roads for cars. None. There are no vespas, bicycles, trucks, or train tracks. There are only walking paths, bridges, and canals. We had a wonderful walk in to our hostel on Wednesday night - a leisurely stroll that only took 45 minutes and was enjoyed thoroughly by all. When Rens tried to drop us off at Piazzale Roma where he has every other year, a policeman boarded the bus and told him he couldn't drop us there. They have built a new stopping area for private coaches that necessitates taking a little tram back to Roma called the "People Mover". For 1 euro each. Didn't know about that.
Our home in Venice is a 16th century palace that belonged to the Cavagnis family - the Palazzo Cavagnis. It is now a very nice youth hostel in a very nice location - 10 minutes from St. Marc's, 10 minutes from the Rialto, 1 minute from Hot Dog/Hotel Scandinavia. After checking in, some of the group opted to extend their walking for the day and head to the Rialto for gelato. It was good... the first of many gelato stops. Italian ice cream is unfailingly excellent.

Have I mentioned the weather? You have no idea how beautiful it has been. No idea.

Rens told me that most of the tour groups he takes to Venice do not spend the night - he drops them off for a few hours, the walk around and snap some photos, and then he picks them up and drives them to a hotel on the mainland. This is just wrong. You need AT LEAST one full day to enjoy this unique city. On our full day, we visited the two most significant sites in the city, the Doge's Palace (pronounced doogie according to Mrs. Marshall's history teacher) and St. Marc's Basilica (hard to mispronounce that one). Then I lead a walking tour of some of the less traveled spots in the city - we were joined almost immediately by a couple from Oklahoma. They just stood right in with the group and didn't say anything. Some of the kids made a big deal of calling me "teacher" and said to me "I think those people think you are a tour guide." Which, of course, I am. I should have asked for tips at the end of the tour. The smaller groups all enjoyed gondola rides with handsome gondoliers, and an afternoon of eating Venetian cuisine and exploring the alleys of Venice.

Have I mentioned the weather? You have no idea how beautiful it has been. No idea.

Santa Maria Formosa - means we are close to home in Venice

The group knew that the street between "hot dog" and "Hotel Scandinavia" brings them back to Foresteria Valdese - the 16th century palace that we are staying in. Note the early morning delivery of water - this is how things get delivered in Venice - a city with no trucks.

You see scenes like this everywhere

In front of Doogie's Palace with San Giorgio Maggiore behind us.

Caleb snaps one of thousands of pictures - this one of the Bridge of Sighs that connects the Doge's Palace to the Doge's prisons. I prefer the palace.

In the courtyard of the Doge's Palace with St. Marc's Basilica behind.

Up the golden staircase.

Amanda got stuck in the Doge's prisons. We eventually got her out.

The light at the end looks appealing. The tiny door on the left that opens to a cold dark cell - not so much.

A complex locking system for a prison cell

They call it the "Bridge of Sighs" because convicts being led to the prisons would get one last look at beautiful Venice, sigh, and meet their slow demise in their dark little cells.