Free time in Venice.

On a rare occasion, we have free time. On this day we had some time to explore, buy souvenirs, get lost, buy cigars and enjoy one of the most picturesque cities in the world.

Though I would always like more time, I can appreciate a day or two. It is much better than never being here, plus it is incentive to return.

Lunch

What are so hard to condense into a narrative about travel are the hundreds of works of art that we look at every day.

We just finished the Galleria dell'Accademia in Venice. Most agreed that an outstanding painting there is The Feast in the House of Levi by Veronese. It is so large, and so well painted, no image on computer or in a book can do it justice. It can't be translated into a small print. I guess you understand that better once you see it.

It was a little chilly, but we stopped for lunch at the Campo Santa Margherita a short walk from the Accademia.

Planet Pub in Venice

We had some meals included on the recent trip to Italy. The first night we had a fabulous meal at a place called Planet Pub. We could have either the meat or fish meal and it was one of those really great meals you hope to have on a trip to Venice. Here is a picture of the first course. It has some little squids and other things we couldn't recognize. It was delicious and the courses to follow were equally great.

One curious note, in the entry way of the restaurant, they had a framed Minnesota Twins jersey and a Minnesota Timberwolves jersey. I guess a tourist from Minnesota comes often and had given them to the owner as gifts.

Breakfast in Venice

So here is the breakfast room at our hotel the Hotel Principe. The buffet was as good as ever, the rolls, the ham and cheese, the yogurt, even the fake cappuccino from a machine.

It was like a movie set with the Grand Canal right outside the glass. If only it had been a little warmer. What a spectacular experience it could have been! Breakfast on the Grand Canal would be something you could tell the nursing home staff some day when you having a good memory in your old age.

Old friends in Venice

It is nice to come back to Venice. The souvenir vendors haven't changed the charm of such a historic city. The more I've studied the fall of Constantinople, the more I've enjoyed seeing Diocletian's Tetrarchy. They were probably saved from destruction by being carted back to Venice after the fall. It is not particularly good sculpture, but famous none the less.

I also really enjoy seeing Bellini's Madonna with Saints in the church of San Zaccaria. It was open, so we brought the group back to enjoy such a masterpiece.