venice: day two

We began our second day in Venice with a yummy breakfast at the hotel including the best coffee yet. We hopped back on the vaporetti (still as crowded as ever) to St. Mark’s Square. This time we started in the Correr Museum which was filled with Venetian art and history including coins, armor, and weaponry. After the Museum we went to Doge’s Palace and got to walk up the Golden Staircase and across the Bridge of Sighs. The tour of the prisons was especially interesting. After a quick lunch on “Sandwich Row”, we realized St. Mark’s Basilica was closing soon. Rather than cut that tour short, we decided to save it for the next day and head over to a different site on our list, Frari Church. This began our adventures in the back streets and alleys of Venice, which we all agreed was one of our favorite times in Venice. These back alleys give you a glimpse into the real life of Venice away from all the tourist traps. You see flowers in the windows, laundry hanging outside, smell dinner cooking, and hear music playing. You cross over small bridges and can see down into the tiny canals. It is absolutely beautiful. We did make it to Frari Church which houses some beautiful artwork in such a small church. On our way back from the church, we got even more lost which just meant it was time to get gelato and wine. We spent the walk back to our hotel shopping, although the wine may have made us shop a little too much. We were excited for another beautiful day to come in Venice.

~corinne