Europe Trip 2012 – Venice Italy

I never thought that Bill and I would be able to go to Europe, but we flew out on Tuesday June 12 for Venice Italy. This was one of those places that I had on my personal bucket list. There is just something very beautiful and magical about Venice whenever I would look at pictures. A few years back Bill had asked me if there was one place I would like to see in the world where would that be? My answer had been Venice Italy. 

Bill and I at one of the many bridges in Venice 

 I must say I was not disappointed! I only wish I had a better vocabulary to express how I felt about it. But so far all I can say was “Magical”. We stayed on the island of Lido a very sweet quite island and Bill and I had a lovely morning run while we were there. Lido has a great beach and I wish we could have spent some time relaxing there. But being on a tour you know that time is a precious commodity and I wanted as much time as I could on the main island of Venice.

 We rode the boat/bus to Venice and all I can say is I had a wonderful time. We were there for about a day and a half. Not nearly enough time, but as I write more about this trip I am sure that will be the running theme. Some of the things I enjoyed about Venice were really quite simple. I love just walking around… getting lost in all her narrow walkways and bridges, seeing all the beautiful flower boxes on the windows and lavishly dreaming about how it would have been to walk those same paths during her prime. One day I know I will have to go back to Venice… of all the places I visited on this trip she is my favorite.

 We rode the boat out to Burano Island, also known as the lace island. This island is small and quaint with its brightly colored houses. I loved walking around and enjoying some gelato mmmm I enjoyed a lot of gelato during this trip! Burano is known for the lace making, but as in so many things this is becoming a lost art. There were a few older ladies in the shops still making lace but for the most part the laces they sell are all manufactured somewhere else. If you do get a piece of their handmade lace it will cost you a pretty Euro. I think this is true to be said for most of the art that used to be produced in any part of the world. We buy cheap mass produced things instead of artist made items.

Burano

Burano

 I was please on a couple of occasions to find gluten free pasta at some restaurants so I didn’t feel too deprived having my dietary restrictions.

The last night there we took a gondola ride through the canals and out to the Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge. I had tears in my eyes and down my cheeks numerous times while in Venice. Bill asked me a few times if I was OK, I just didn’t want to leave…. EVER! Venice was truly magical for me, but I also wanted to see all the other things this trip had to offer, so I dried my eyes and got ready for Florence!