The Neilly Boy

Friday, July 13, 2012

LEON, a new favourite lunch haunt!

Sunday, July 08, 2012

Not the worst lunch view I've ever had! Venice #flippingnice

Saturday, July 07, 2012

I'm not normally one who gets lost for words, but the past 20 hours or so in Venice really have left me a little bit stuck for words. this place is really quite stunning, it literally feels like you're walking around in a film scene...albeit one with quite a few Japanese and American tourists taking photos everywhere!

First up this morning, we headed over to St Marks square, where we were able to get to almost the front of the line for the trip inside the Basilica. That proved to be a very good move as the line extended rather a long way towards the lagoon once we left.

The basilica was great, the golden insides of the dome really dominated the view, although we were really fortunate on our visit to be able to view the dome with the most incredible shoots of sunlight entering through the windows high up giving a very surreal feel and view to the inside of the dome.

We then took a bit more of a walk around the square, where we stumbled upon a man who promised us free stuff, in the means of a free trip to the Murano island on a taxi through the cities canals to view the glass blowing. The trip up there was stunning, and really gave us a chance to see the canals up close in daylight. The glass museum was really a short demonstration then 'please give us lots of money to pay for it' in their shop. To be honest, the prices were very high and both Amanda and I thought it was all a bit tacky!

So we decided to take a wee walk through the island before grabbing the water bus (which we somehow managed to not pay for!) back to the main island where we set off on a great walk through the small streets to the Rialto bridge, which was very nice, but absolutely packed full of people! Some nice photos taken we set off for some lunch, which consisted of a baguette and beer for me and a pizza wrap and beer for Amanda! All 'chased down with some gelato ice cream...it was just like being in Largs!

Wit the tiredness and heat catching up with us we headed back to The Bel Sito and Berlino hotel for a couple of hours siesta, before taking another walk near the Grand Canal, this time taking our strides over the second of three bridges spanning the Grand Canal, the Ponte De Accedemia. Then a walk alongside the Canaletto fella Giudecca before a sit down on the wharf watching the world, water taxis, gondolas and a massive cruise ship go by! A quick nip into the Santa Maria dells Salute church (which is most impressive to view from the outside at night) and back to the hotel for a wash, then out to dinner!

Hears hoping the great stuff and times continue!