Day at island of Murano

I had wanted to go to the island of Murano. It is famous for glass blowing. There are numerous shops that sell beautiful glass items and also factories where glass is blown.  We took an inter-island ferry to Murano. There was a stop at the the island of San Michele which has been the city's cemetery (cimitero) since the early nineteenth century. As Venice is an island community, it's not really surprising that its graveyard is also an island.

Ssland of San Michele which has been the city's cemetery

We watched a glass blowing demonstration and explored shops. I was afraid to turn around in some of the shops because they were tight quarters and very expensive glass sculptures were on display. It was a bit cold and windy so we were not tempted be out too long.

Rania in front of a glass sculpture in a piazza on Murano

We found a very comfortable restaurant to have a delicious Italian lunch.  It was also nice to get warm. Ron, I and the grand kids decided to head back to our B&B and Tracy and Doug decided to explore some more. But we mistakenly took a water taxi that went around the entire island of Venice instead of the one that went to the where we could get a public bus home. I guess we got a free tour of the island but Doug and Tracy got back to our B&B before we did and had to wait to get in because we had the keys.

Since took the wrong water taxi we stopped for Gelato before we got the correct one. It is never too cold for gelato! It was New Year's Eve and there was a big celebration in Venice but we celebrated by going to bed. We did get awakened at midnight by lot of fireworks being set off. So we greeted the New Year of 2018 with no fanfare in Italy. - Nancy

Off to Venice

On Friday Dec. 29 we packed up and headed to Venice. The day before a technician came and reset the hot water system in our rented villa. He muttered in broken English, "Crazy German engineering." I guess the hot water system was made in Germany but the electrical system that short circuits if two appliances are on at the same time was an Italian problem.

Doug drove our rented 9 passenger van and we went through many long tunnels. There was snow on the roadside in the higher elevations. We now realized why the car rental company suggested that we rent chains. Thankfully we never needed them. We arrived in Venice by late afternoon in time to walk to a nearby grocery store and stock up on groceries for the next few days.

Saturday Dec. 30 we took the local bus to Venice Island and started exploring. It seemed very cold after our arrival by water taxi so our first stop was for very expensive hot chocolate but it was worth it.

Then we explored the city via water taxi and on foot. We went into Saint Mark's Basilica and enjoyed exploring Venice.  We found a very nice cafe for lunch and were thankful for sunshine in the afternoon - Nancy

On the famous Railto Bridge.which is the oldest of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy

On a water taxi

St. Mark's Square, Venice

Sun set in Venice

Rising moon in Venice

House Issues

 Flexibility is always a virtue but especially when traveling. The caretaker of the Airbnb we are renting said to be careful and not have the dishwasher and washing machine both on at the same time. We didn't realize that also meant the toaster or the oven. The electrical panel pops the circuit breaker. We reset it but it does not reset the hot water panel. This first happened on Christmas day and we heated water on the stove top for two days since the Christmas is a holiday but the 26th is also a holiday in Italy. It is St. Stephen's Day and most everything is closed. A repairman had to come and reset the hot water on the 27th.

But today we again ran the washing machine and the electricity popped off again. So we sent a picture of the hot water panel to the caretaker and she texted back for us to hold down the red button for 15 minutes and then try it again. If it didn't work we were to contact her again. We thought that this was a bad translation since she only speaks Italian and asked if she meant 15 seconds or 15 minutes. She assured us that is was 15 minutes so Doug dutifully held on to the red button for 15 minutes twice. We are waiting for a technician to come to reset the hot water for us.

The dishwasher flooded the kitchen floor once but the beds are comfortable here and there are 3 bathrooms so we are quite comfortable.  - Nancy

Day in Florence

Stained glass window in library.

While Doug and family went to see the Statue of David by Michelangelo, Ron and I headed to the Sacrista di San Lorenzo and the library designed by Michelangelo. After meeting Doug and family for lunch we went to the Chapel of the Medici family. One must always look up in buildings in Italy. - Nancy

Ceiling of Medici Chapel

Sacrista di San Lorenzo

One of several tombs in Medici Chapel

Ron in library designed by Michelangelo

Pisa - Yes it leans!

We headed out to Pisa the day after Christmas. It turned out to be a nice day. Reeve elected to stay home but we enjoyed the trip. Doug, Tracy, Gabi and Rania climbed to the top of the Tower. They said it was a bit scary. Ron and I enjoyed the view from the bottom. We got to go into the Basilica and see the amazing gold plated wooden ceiling. - Nancy

Christmas Day 2017 in Italy

Everything is closed on Christmas Day except for a few restaurants. We tried to get reservations at one but it was full so we had a tasty roast beef dinner in our rented Airbnb. Santa filled up the Christmas stockings and we enjoyed putting together 2 puzzles and playing games. Reeve got miniature ping pong set which proved to be a challenge. - Nancy

Florence on Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve Doug, Gabi, Rania and I put together a puzzle that Doug had made from family pictures. Then we headed out in our huge 9 passenger rental car to see some sights in Florence. As Tracy said, just close your eyes if the drive scares you. The narrow streets are not made for larger cars but Doug's expert driving got us there and back. - Nancy

Basilica of St. Mary of the Flower in Floreence

Doug reads the description in the guide book while we wait to enter the church.

Stop in Orvieto

There is a beautiful hill town in Umbira called Orvieto. We stopped there on our way to our Airbnb near Florence. - Nancy

Our visit to Orvieto was a real highlight. I took the picture of the rose window inside the cathedral. As one can tell, it was a nice sunny day. - Ron

Day at the Vatican Museum and St. Peter's Bascilica

We all headed out on the bus to the Vatican Museum. It is easy to get lost in it. We decided to split up and all meet in the Sistine Chapel at a certain time. After we met we went to the museum cafeteria and then headed to visit St. Peter's Bascilica. It was a long day but a stop at a gelateria on the way to catch the metro and then then bus gave us the energy to get home. -Nancy