Venice

We had a fantastic time in Venice. The weather was warm and sunny, and it was really nice just walking around with nothing to do or see. (Well, we had things to see and do, but didn't have a list to check off.) I know we should have seen the Guggenheim collection, but by the time we arrived in that area, we were exhausted. It was all we could do to just ring the bell of Casa Artom (for non-Wake friends, this is WFU's house in Venice...on the Grand Canal...amazing location)! I exaggerate, but after a long day with a 3 year old, a museum is the last thing you want to see. (And I must add, that I feel a bit like a spoiled European in that I don't feel so much pressure to see every.single.museum. because I know what we have in London, and well, I can see that pretty much whenever I want.) The food was good, nothing spectacular compared to the food in and around Florence.

Riding in on a water taxi! This is the way to come into Venice! We rode a water bus once, and I thought I was going to pass out. People kept talking to me in Italian getting me to move to make a path for others to get out. I informed the Italian that there was nowhere to move. He insisted, so I told him that we could move towards him then. He was quiet...until the next stop where he continued to be bossy!

We found a merry-go-round in one of the Campos! Thank goodness! This made Wiley very happy!! Along with all the pigeons that he chased. Speaking of pigeons, we saw St. Mark's Square at night and it was very pretty. However, we did not get the typical picture with the birds, and thus avoided the masses of tourists. Wil and I ran one morning through the square and so I felt like I had sufficiently "done" St. Mark's Square. Who knew that I had acquired such a distaste for tourists (aside from myself, of course!). Venice is crawling with them, making it a bit overwhelming. Thankfully, we found that if you wander down random streets you can escape the crowds around the Grand Canal. We often took about 30-45 minutes to get somewhere because we would get lost on the way. And in Venice, it is a good lost.

This is pretty much how we look when we travel in Italy. We found that a couple gelatos a day keeps the 3 year old happy! Actually, that keeps anyone happy.

Well, hello Casa Artom! I am way impressed with your location. I only wish someone had answered the door when I rang 15 times.

Gelato at Il Doge in Campo Santa Margherita...so yummy! (Chocolate Muffin, Strawberry, and Pistachio)

Eating near the Rialto Bridge (We love our Leapfrog Leapster...It is invaluable when we take these trips! Wiley is happy, and we are happy!)

A final look down the Grand Canal!

Ciao, Venice!

PS: Thank you for all your tips for Italy!