Venice

We arrived in Florence, grabbed a bite to eat outside the train station and caught the train to Venice. The train station and water bus in Venice was directly across from the Carlton on the Grand Canal...our home for the next few days. We only had to walk up and over the Scalzi bridge to get to the hotel. Very convenient! We had a wonderful room with doors and a very small balcony overlooking the Grand Canal. The room was decorated in Venetian style of the 1700s and had a Murano glass chandelier. Troy did a great job picking out the hotel.
We walked around a bit and found a place to have supper by the water. Troy had a call at 8:30pm and right when his call began so did the accordion player. Troy had to move so he could hear his call. It didn't have the romantic feel all by myself, but I enjoyed it non the less.
We took an evening water taxi along the beautiful canal and saw all the buildings lit up. We passed under the famous Rialto Bridge. It was amazing to see all the little canals feeding off the grand canal. We later learned there are 118 small islands that make up the city and they are all connected by little bridges. Some of the canals are

so narrow that they have one way signs because two boats could not pass each other.
The next morning we rode the water bus to Murano Island to see the world famous glass blowing of Murano glass. In 1291 glass-makers were ordered to move their factories to this island fearing fire and destruction of the Venice's mostly wooden buildings. Today, they still have demonstrations and you can walk along the canals and visit individual artists' studios.
We then took the boat to visit another island. Burano is know for it's small brightly painted houses. If someone wants to paint their home, they must send a request of their color choice to the government and will get permission if it is permitted. The primary economy today is tourism as visitors arrive for sightseeing and to purchase lace goods. It was the hottest day of the year and after buying a few lace items, we found an air conditioned cafe to have lunch. After lunch we went back to our hotel for a quick shower/nap. Feeling refreshed we ventured out to enjoy a walking tour with a local, best dinner EVER at Manuela's and ended the evening with a gondola ride through the Venice canals. It was a perfect day.
Had breakfast at the hotel and headed to Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's Square.) St

Marks Basilica, Doge's Palace and The Bell Tower are all in this square, along with a zillion selfie taking tourists. We took a "behind the scenes" tour at Doges Palace. Were able to see things the general public don't see including where Casanova was held and escaped. Walked through the Bridges of Sighs into the interrogation rooms. We climbed the bell tower and enjoyed the sounds up close at the top of the hour. Each of the 5 bells had a special purpose. Announcing executions, proclaim a session of the senate, midday, council meetings and start/end of working day.We then toured the St Mark's Basilica and Museum. There is a masterpiece in the Basilica that incorporates 1,300 pearls, 300 sapphires, 300 emeralds, and 400 garnets. Many displays of gold ground mosaics on all ceilings and upper walls. It was Beautiful!