We landed in Venice around 8:45 European summer time. After a quick bus ride to the city, we had the convenience and pleasure of a private boat to our hotel (the front entrance of which was open to the canal). For our first day, we visited St. Mark's square, St. Mark's Basilica (sadly no photos allowed inside. I urge readers to Google the impressive interior of this basilica if you get the chance.), saw the beautiful paintings on the ceiling of the Chiesa di Guiliano (sadly no pictures allowed inside here either), visited the Chiesa di San Salvador, found and crossed the beautiful and famous Rialto Bridge, had an amusing but relaxing Gondola ride, during which we got an up close look and passed under the bridge of Sighs (the bridge connecting the Doge's Palace to the old prison), and as the sun began to set, we took pictures from the city's highest point, the Campanile di San Marco. After dark, we found St. Mark's square to still be a lively place, rife with peddlers selling goods, and live bands on either side playing for cafe-goers dining at the outdoor tables for some of the restaurants of the square. I don't think my shots, blogs, or video can do justice for a city so beautiful, and full of history, short of seeing it for one's self. It's been breathtaking so far, and that was only day one of our Italian adventure. Stay tuned for a recap of day number 2.

Cheers!