Italy Part 1: Venice

Our trip to Italy began in Venice. It rained for much of our 3 days in the city, though we were lucky and missed the flooding that happened shortly afterwards. On the morning of the second day we had some sun, so we took the opportunity to take a vaporetto (water bus) up the Grand Canal. Alex and I are quiet familiar with boat taxis, though our experiences in Manitoba were considerably rougher.

A gondolier passes under Ponte di Rialto, which was under construction during our visit.

 

We visited the Gallerie dell'Accademia, which houses pre-19th century artwork and some wonderfully intricate ceilings.

We visited the Peggy Guggenheim Collection the previous day. I have a fondness for gallery spaces that were once people's homes. The collection holds major works of Cubism, Futurism, Metaphysical paintings, European abstraction, avant-garde sculpture, Surrealism, and American Abstract Expressionism.

 Santa Maria della Salute

 Palazzo Ducale and the Bell Tower.
I can remember art history classes about the Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace) and it's white Istrain stone and Veronese pink marble facade. It's bizarre finally getting to see these places in person.

 

Basillica di San Marco was absolutely studding inside, but like many churches you can't take photos of the interiror.

When the rained started up again we took refuge in different shops and cafes. This mask shop, was particularly fun, as we got to try on different mask and see how they were made. They even have workshops you can take to create your own. Alex and I unfortunately arrived a few days too late for Carnevale.

 The courtyard of Ca'Rezzonico.

We spent a lovely afternoon in Ca' Rezzonico, a baroque palace which houses artworks from 18th Century Venice.

This marble bust of a Veiled Woman is the work of sculptor Antonio Corradini.

We spent our evenings going from one wine bar to another, sampling cicheti (Venetian bar snacks) and wine along the way. We'd grab a window seat or stand at the bar and snack on crostini, stuffed squid, and other tasty things.