(So far I appear to have a better connection so I’m going to attempt posting photos tonight!)

After a fairly decent sleep we woke and went to have our breakfast, included with the room. We are staying at Locanda la Corte, a place I found through Rick Steves’ book. (I have been following his suggestion of booking directly: true enough, I saved money and I know the places appreciate getting paid directly.) Our room is nice and large, and the bed is comfortable. Nothing here in Venice is new so if anyone wants that they may as well go elsewhere, but it’s a clean room, and a super location, away from the crowds.

Following breakfast we decided to go to Basilica di San Marco. I absolutely love walking the narrow alleyways … some so narrow no more than two people can be shoulder to shoulder. When we arrived at the basilica (and the huge square) … well … EEK! SO many people, even in the morning. We’d been warned about the tourists in Venice, but until you see it it’s hard to believe. Many are just off the cruises and in for the day. But what a zoo and, I’m sorry to report, work is going on in the square and on the basilica, so once again construction gets in the way of things.

Photos on our way to the Basilica and square and then the place itself:

After being in that area for a brief time, we wandered more.

Eventually we landed at La Fenice Opera House. There are no operas or concerts happening while we are here, but we could tour the place and what with the nice air conditioning inside and the temperature and humidity on the outside we opted to do so. The woman at the ticket booth looked at us and said, “It’s 18€ for two senior citizen tickets.” Now where in the world did she get the idea we were over 65?! Sigh. I guess I look as old as I am. Go figure.

It was fun to tour the opera house. I would have loved to have seen an opera, but maybe we’ll have to return someday for that.

From there we decided to go in the direction of our inn. Heh. WHAT direction that is can be a bit of a puzzlement. Dan and I often have different ideas about what way to go. So far I have been winning in that area, which is an amazing miracle since he is Map Man. (But of course we first do the “what direction do you think it is?” bit without a map at first. The crowds by now were insane. We went over Rialto bridge and that was nuts. We realized there was no way to cross over the Grand Canal to our place after that so had to go back over it. That was even more busy, and then we were having to make our way through nearly wall-to-wall people. We did see a restaurant that looked like a good idea so we escaped in there for a time. We ordered cicchetti (like tapas, Italian style). Little did we know that one order would have been enough … and there were little octopi on the plate, which is something I refuse to eat. (I do wonder if I had asked if they would have substituted something else. Too late now.) From lunch it was back to our inn.

While escaping the crowds, heat, and humidity, we finally opted to sit in a little area downstairs from our room and enjoy the gift of champagne (okay … really brut, if we are to be correct) Dan was given yesterday. What a nice and relaxing time. After we did that it was time to go to dinner — a place for which I’d made reservations. I’d link it here, but it looks like their site has been compromised and I never could manage to get through to it. I read reviews, though, and it received high ratings, so off we went to 6342 A Le Tole. Well, the food was good. The music was so doggone loud I simply couldn’t hear Dan talk. It was a small place and there was no reason the singer/bass guitar player had to be so darn loud. Guess I can’t give it high marks, even while it has some sort of connection to where we are staying.

From dinner we went back to St. Mark’s and the square there. So much less crowded, yet still a good number of people there. we heard several music groups playing: each was at a different restaurant or cafe in the square. They looked pretty darn bored with what they were doing! We didn’t last long outside — I suspect Dan cut things short because of me and for that I’m sorry. I think the loud music just sort of bummed me out, what with my “ear of distortion” and all. (Sorry, Dan!)

Venice is a fascinating place. I love wandering the small alleys. I prefer staying away from the most crowded areas, though.

I’m not sure what we’ll do tomorrow. Perhaps visit other islands. Time will tell. Meanwhile … cheers from Venice!