Dora has arrived…an action packed sightseeing day!

I am my mother’s daughter……up by the alarm at 7:30, just in time for the Italian natural alarm of my favorite church bells…..ding-dong. It’s a curly hair kind of day, high 71 but currently 60. Boy am I wishing for a different wardrobe, ha. Happy to be in Italy, we make do, clothes- who cares 🙂

The house smells like breakfast, as I have just inhaled a yummy salami/cheese omelette. The salami here is soooooo delish! I did burn my finger on this tiny lighter, gotta remember to purchase a long lighter stick today! Orders are coming from upstairs for fried eggs. The cook will get cracking. Our apartment maintenance guy shall arrive to fix Tracy glass bathroom door shower shortly, I’m feeling like a local. The thrills of VRBO, we LOVE our pie in the sky home. It’s truly magnificant!!!

We are off for our last full Venice day before the day trips begin. Sooooo excited to explore a new neighborhood and meet our walking tour guide to learn about This City!

Holy Moly…..we met Clementina and she brought this island to life for me! After enjoying a coffee at the square we walked over the bridges and through the alleyways to reach I was transformed into Dora. Finally able to read this map and navigate where in the hell we are 🙂 Super psyched to meet our other travelers in our 2.5 hour free walking tour. Starting at the top at Campo San Geremia we were on our way. I learned there are 26 million tourists who visit Venice per year, she made us aware of SO much etiquette as how to get through the city without pissing of locals, her words especially the grumpy old grandmas with their carts. Must stay to the right single file, don’t crowd the walkways, never stop on a bridge to take a photo. Imagine the bridges are streets- would you stop in middle of traffic to take photo? She had a good point. I guess she gonna need larger groups to spread the manners, lol. She was a very polite, friendly, beautiful Italian woman who was very direct in her delivery and so matter of fact with kindness. Reminded me of my cousin Debbie. We learned there are more than 400 bridges, 6 districts deviding the island, I’m finally getting a better understanding of the lay of the land. We walk to the 1st Jewish Ghetto ever in the world, it’s here in Venice. They just had the 500 year old anniversary 1516-2016, Venice was the first to give Jews the freedom to worship. This area has the tallest buildings because they had to house many people in the 2 areas, so they are still the tallest standing apartment buildings and actually sought after and expensive today. Once again I am taken back by our historical roots of Judaism and all that people went through during the days of the War and the holocaust. More memorials seen, synogauges, and the Jewish Museum we passed. When Jews in this area were removed from their homes to be taken to Aushwitz and exterminated there, a metal gold plate would be put down in front of their home stating dob, death date, age, name, and Aushwitz. It was very concerning how many gold plates we noticed on our walk today. 🙁 very sad, alarming, and enfuriating always!

We learned the first pawn shop ever was in the Jewish Ghetto, banco Rosso, they could be money lenders, this all went down in 1943/44. We passed my a Chabad, a yeshiva school, many kosher bakery’s, and a memorial wall of 246 names made IN 1993 of those who perished from this Jewish Ghetto at Aushwitz. I’m learning more holocauste history between my 2 European trips…..I need to find a part in participating of spreading the word and educating others as to be sure it is NEVER FORGOTTEN.

We learned about the flooding in this city since it’s literraly surrounded by water everywhere, why you can get lost. It’s a water way maze in reality. The flooding when it’s approaching they give a 3 hour alarm siren so you can run home to prepare. Board up front doors with metal bars, said it’s effected by the tide and full moon.  Makes sense, but if you want to visit Venice do it in next 100 years as it is sinking, they saw. Without having anywhere to be I could see it being fun, thank goodness Clementina is a local and a pro, we are speeding are way to every off the beaten path place. I’m in Adventureland haven. I guess I’m more a organized tour guide traveler, gotta get the story to tell my eyes what they see. We stop for a short coffee break. I have an afternoon espresso and the most delicious caramel croissant. It was warm, soft, gooey buttery goodness. The espresso is SO strong and dark, watch out!

Along with a few grumpy grandmas we had the pleasure to witness a local in her blue bathroom awaiting her garbage pick up standing in our pathway. The garbage system has changed recently, they used to ring bell for garbage now certain times a garbage truck type boat floats past and you must come out to throw rubbish away. It’s a bizarre protocol but must be working as the city is pristine. We pass a home with a huge pink bow, they just had a baby girl, announcement to the city. On her map she describes the districts by color and visually Venice is in the shape of a fish, interesting. We hear more lessons about Marco Polo, Truman Capote, Napoleon, etc…..according to her Marco Polo has spaghetti imported from Vhina and a big fight exists between Italians and Chinese as to who invented spaghetti. All agree pasta was invented by Italians in the 12 th century. Ie: macaroni, tagliatelle, etc…..just not spaghetti. More useless but bizarre fact learned all day. We passed by a gorgeous church that I was asked to leave as I snapped a photo before learning it was breaking the rules. The San Mary of the Miracles, a perfect church for me. It was unique by its beauty as it was made of multi-colored marble and one of the first Renansaince style churches. People have long wait list to get married here due to its intimidate size and beauty. The tour ended at the Hospital. We actually toured it as a group due to its history and Beaty. Many cats on the interior corridor with beautiful gardens. We gather a list of Clementines favorite restaurants and say our good byes to the Australian and American travelers we had befriended. Off to a water view lunch. We ate a yummy meal, mine shrimp scampi….only prob the eyes were still connected. A bit much for me but I managed. Tracy was served a full fish with a head, she requested for filleting the creature 😉 Girls had yummy pizza. Lunch entertainment was lady nights blogs and many replies, they love it and are my biggest fans. Telling me what to add and omit, ha

As our bellies are full we are leisurely off to make our way across town and the main canal on our first Vaparetto, #2 to have a fancy afternoon experience and see how royalty vacations in Venice. The Cipriani Hotel is the spot where George Clooney and Amal got married, as well the Bellini was honestly invented at this establishment which is related to Harry’s a Bar. Still on the list to make it back to before departure.

Words cant describe the magestic beauty and serenity of what you feel when your eyes turn the corner from normalcy on the canal to the long leaf, flower, vine covered walkway to heaven. Literally the vineyards in the distance, with hammocks, peaceful gorgeous pillow circular chairs in greenery and a long haired huge bunny hopping around. Then you enter the reception area…..fancy is an understatement. Pristine elegance out of a movie. We quietly make our way to the pool bar area and sit staring at this gorgeous setting. We order 2 Bellinis, and 2 children mock tails. I feel like a princess. We observe the rich and famous who can stay here while enjoying our snack on Carpaccio- delish!!. They are walking in robes with Gucci leather pool loafers, bright orange speedos, a mother and daughter with pricy purses full make up in robes by the pool. It is a sight to observe and take in while we dream and make up stories. Orange speedo guy is Australian and looks like Armie Hammer from Call me by your name. This moment is priceless and we all soaked up the peace and quiet with relaxation before starting our pool photo shoot. Upon exiting we completed the photo shoot on hammocks and me in the vineyards. We say by to never never land…..our eyes are met at the canal with the most dreamy Sunset!! We all feel as if we are walking through a make believe movie set yet this is our current reality. More photos snapped, oohhh la la noises made and we catch the Vaparetto home. We pass by an artist painting in his studio, this is someone’s regular life surrounded by this incredible beauty.

Across the water, as we walk back home we notice the sign…..my mom and dads hotel they stayed, the Danieli…..I say we must go in. Wow…..a fancy establishment, we walk up to the restaurant with a view and will consider coming back when hungry and ready for 5 star dining. The sky is SO blue and the sunset has created the most colorful dusk sky. Church bells are ringing…..we are home- feet tired. A grocery store run, wardrobe change for some and a dinner out at Clementina recommendation. Best part to mention was my gelato stop on the way home. UJ, you would be in all your glory, I changed it up and had the BEST pistachio. Cutest thing was a cone cup. It’s 1am while this is coming to a close. Tomorrow is Verona Segway day…….another early start. Wed we sleep in…..a must for Sydney, she requires her rest. I’m trying to convince these 2 sisters that one day they will be the best of friends……we’re just not there yet. Everyone is asleep and we are always excited for breakfast at home. Keep the comments coming if your still reading…….love you miss you!!

laurie Sue XO

aka Dora the Explorer.