Waiting for my life to turn right. I must be living right as my roll continues. All the tour bookings were correct and we made each on time.

We walked from our hotel to Piazza San Marco to tour the Doge’s Palace and Basilica San Marco starting at 9AM. Google Maps said it was 1.2 miles and take us 27 minutes.

Apparently Google Maps did not take the loops and backtracks required when following its directions because there was a delay between where we were walking and where it thought we were. This resulted in our turning right in 500 ft when it should have been 50 ft, and on and on. Anyway 26 minutes took 45 minutes and we arrived exactly on time, instead of 20 minutes early.

We met Elisabetta, our tour guide for the morning, (on the roll) at the right place and the right time. You may have heard about the flooding of St. Marks Square, especially during full moons. She even tracked the tides to know when the square would likely flood. Her knowledge of her home city was amazing. (Yes, I know that’s her job.) Her enthusiasm and organization were exceptional. Let’s just say she was an outstanding tour guide.

Doge’s Palace – 9AM

Enormous, ornate, impressive, and how did they do that in 1340? The building we tour now is not the original building. In fact the one built in 1340 was a major renovation of the original palace built in the early 800’s. That’s 800’s not 1800’s! It was rebuilt, refurbished and expanded during the next few centuries.

The Doge’s Palace was also the prison of Venice. It’s comprised of substantial rooms, doors and windows but at least they saved government funds on decorations.

About 1000 years ago a popular pastime in Venice was to spy on your neighbors and turn possible revolutionaries into the authorities.

St. Mark’s Basilica 11AM

Back in the day, Venice was closely allied to Byzantium for trading and finance as it was easier to travel to and trade with Constantinople than it was with Rome. Hence the basilica more closely resembles Byzantium architecture than it does Roman. Of course stealing many artworks and statutory by the Venetians helped the architects immensely.

Murano, Torcello and Burano – 2 PM

One company cancelled our tour to Murano due to lack of participation. We rebooked with another company and had 55 people on our tour. Take that original tour company! We visited Murano, Torcello and Burano.

Murano

For centuries, even millenia, Murano has been know for excellence in glass blowing.

Torcello

We walked to a small, outside snack bar for a drink of water for QC and wine from a soda fountain for me. Total cost – 5 Euros. Let’s just say not the best wine, but was the best price.

Burano

Known for exquisite lace manufacturing, in which we had no interest, we stopped at a very nice cafe and had some tea and coffee. The manager gave us a few sweets on the house. They were good, kind of Nilla Wafers without the Nilla. It was also nearly sunset and the light was perfect. If I didn’t know better I could have believed we were at a Disney park. Art imitates life.

Continuing my roll, unbeknownst to me, our tour ended at the Venice railway station, which happens to be 2 blocks from our hotel. Despite the meandering we did to find Doge’s Palace in the morning the ride back made up for the extra morning walk.

We stopped at the railway station to see if they would check our tickets and Eurorail pass info for the mornings ride to Florence. Everything was in order and the agent even showed me how to add Frans (QCs) pass to my app. (Roll item.)N

Next stop – Firenze!