Sunday May 26-Venice

We said goodbye to our friends and their wonderful hospitality Sunday morning.  We drove toward Venice and attended church in Mestre.  With its location being so close to a high tourist area they were set up with translators available which helped those of us that don't speak Italian.  

We drove to a parking garage and took a boat into Venice.  

Then did a walking tour of the island.

 We went to many commonly known spots like St. Marks' Square.  

It was crowded enough there we made up a game of "where's waldo" describing people in the crowd for the others to spot. 

But it was also fun to explore off the beaten path.  It is such unique city.  

 We got to learn some interesting history about the original settlers along the way such as the spiral (snail) stairs made big enough for the horses to go up, the family known for the man who broke the Doge's nose, and not to sit in any of the corners (where there is evidence in paintings that men have used the corner stones as urinals for hundreds of years).

We ended with a spectacular view looking over Venice.

The kids weren't as fascinated with the walking tour as the adults, but they did enjoy counting gondolas and flying golden lions along the way. 

And of course the pizza and gelato after we were done.  Preston was obsessed (because of a book he'd read) with finding the bridge of sighs.  We made sure to point it out, but I don't think we got a picture of him there once we finally made it there.

Everyone was exhausted after the long day, so kids decided to go to bed while James and I went out to see the sights lit up at night.