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| Venice,
Italy |
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It was a most amazing view from the hotel balcony overlooking the Lagoon to the island
of San Giorgio and Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute (Basilica of St. Mary of Health or Salvation). There was a portrait of Tchaikowsky at the font desk; I heard
that he stayed at this hotel and wrote his fourth symphony. The stop of the "vaporetto," or waterbus with connections throughout Venice was right in front of the hotel,
and the heart of the city, the Piazza San Marco, was just a few minutes from the
hotel. It was an extremely pleasant walk along the Lagoon to the Piazza San Marco. |
| After waiting in a long queue for about ten minutes, I rode the elevator to the top
of the "Campanile" or Bell Tower which is almost 100 meters high. I enjoyed a
splendid 360 degree panorama of Venice. The beautiful contrast of blue sky and
red-brown roofs was resplendent. When I saw the tower of the cathedral of San
Giorgio Maggiore on the island of San Giorgio, it really made me feel like seeing
the view from the top of San Giorgio Maggiore. |
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I took a vaporetto and head for San Giorgio Maggiore. It was piece and quiet and
there were very few people there. I took an old and tiny elevator to the top of
tower of San Giorgio Maggiore. The top area was much smaller and simpler than
one in the Piazza San Marco. However, view from up here I saw was even more spectacular!
The skyline of Venice was picturesque and I confirmed the hotel that I was staying
at. I could clearly see Murano and other surrounding islands of Venice. I personally
liked the view from here better than one from the Campanile of San Marco. |
I got excited to take a motorboat to get to the island of Murano which is famous
for its glass works. At one of the glass factories, I watched glassblowers and
all kinds of detailed traditional objects with gold that I was very impressed
with. There were so many actual glass shops and some cafes. I got a bit of tan
while I stayed on this island because of strong sunshine... |
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I then headed for the little island of Burano where I found houses painted in different
primary colors like red, blue, yellow, etc. There were lace shops all over. On
the way back to the main island of Venice, I stood outside near exit as the vaporetto
I got on was so crowded. As it neared the main island, it shook heavily a few
times and water came in! The lower part of my knee got wet, and yet, it was great
to be feeling the sea breeze with my whole body. |
