Who would say no to a gondola tour through St Mark’s sestiere? Certainly not me, and I am grateful to Italy XP for the special experience of a quiet ride in a gondola on the small canals away from the crowds and noise near the Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Cathedral. Near Campo San Moisi we boarded our gondola and for the next thirty minutes I felt as if I had been transported to another world.
Experiencing Venice from the perspective of sea level brings an entirely different meaning and feeling to being in Venice. As we slowly glided past Rio de La Veste and beneath the footbridge near Pescina di Frezzaria, I enjoyed seeing inside the lower levels of the ancient buildings while noticing fresh petunias and geraniums blooming on balconies above.
Of course the typical scenes of laundry hanging piqued my interest and necessitated shooting more photos, since each scene is different.
The tide was low since none of the door frames were sitting in water. The gargoyles above the doors held a story and occasionally someone was sitting in a window high above.
Sailing past Ristorante da Raffaele, we soon emerged into the Grand Canal for the last part of this lovely ride. Once again to see the Venetian churches and palazzos at sea level instead of from a bridge or a vaporetto created a new perspective for me, and the views were incredible.
Following our gondola ride our friendly and knowledgeable guide walked us through more alleys of Venice from St Mark’s to Rialto, passing through Castello.
We stopped in Campo San Anzolo where young lovers strolled with their gelatos and we had a brief history lesson about the importance of the wells and cisterns in Venice.
Admiring the rooftop terraces we continued to Corte Contarini del Bovolo where the uniquely-shaped castle stood. When we passed by Teatro La Fenice we could even hear one of the male opera singers rehearsing for tonight’s performance.
Beautiful pictures Margie. Took me to my gondola ride!
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Thank you so much Ishita! A memorable experience for sure!
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I remember having lunch at the Ristorante da Raffaele
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Thank you Andrew! Lucky you!
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Having just visited Venice, I could relate to your walk through the small streets, visit the campo where the cistern sat, re-lived the Venice experience. Thank you for showing us more of Italy.
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I know you have been there too, Dolly. I always enjoy your blog! Thanks so much for commenting
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You’re making me jealous. Again!
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LOL I have that feeling too Ann Marie when my friends travel to Italy. I really enjoyed this trip..many more photos to come
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Memories for a lifetime and photos for the ages. Lovely!
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Grazie, Cara..I appreciate your comments Now that I am back home I will have more tie to check out your blog too!
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Great pictures and memories, I loved Venice when I was there. Thank you for sharing Margie!
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Grazie Tony! I’m happy you enjoyed the photos and that they brought back such great memories for you!
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Ah Margie – lots more memories thanks to you and our lovely photographs. Ristorante da Raffaelle for lunch, gondola ride in the “backwaters” away from the masses of tourists and then La Fenice and their rehearsals. We used to stay in the beautiful Hotel “La Fenice” nearly next door to the opera and were treated to a free ‘concert’ every morning. What a joy! Thank you, Margie – Ciao Carina
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I can just feel the gentle sway of the gondola as it passes those old elegant Venetian villas! Wonderful post….photos really take me right back there:)
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Thanks, Bella..so glad you also had an experience in a gondola this time around!
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Did you finally had one Susan 🙂
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You are looking so Italian Margie. Eveybody is complaining about how hot Italy is right now and you have that scarf thing going on! I think that Italy is more than in your blood, I think you are becomming a part of Italy’s blood.
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Thank you Bonnie…I guess it develops after being in country! The scarf though was only for the north.By the time I got to southern Italy it was so hot I didn’t wear scarves and was looking for my sandals!
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Magnificent photos. You have an eye for the significent!
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THANK YOU Gene – I appreciate that especially from you!
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Love this, Margie! Beautiful!
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Thank you so much Raleigh
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