Carnival Pride 10-day cruise to (Pompeii), (Mt. Etna), Mykonos, Santorini, Athens, Olympia, Turkey, plus train around Italy

[IntrepidFromDC]

[IntrepidFromDC]

[IntrepidFromDC]

Rush hour on Canale Grande and a bus stop (vaporetto).

[IntrepidFromDC]

[IntrepidFromDC]

[pe4all]

Loved, loved, loved Venice when we cruised out of her on NCL - one of our best cruises ever.  Stayed at the Hotel Canale Grande.  Highlight was being transported right to the hotel by water taxi, and sitting eating breakfast on their small dock watching all the gondolas and boats go by!

[ninjacat123]

Love the pics!!  So many are postcard worthy and feel like they're telling a story.  I especially love the one of the toddler at the water fountain.  Thanks for posting!!

[bunnyette]

15 hours ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

Venice is flooded again,  some places are impassable 

Ok aqua alta is back…get out your rain boots

[IntrepidFromDC]

Chef picking fresh crab and customers, menu and my 3 courses at Al Gazzettino where I had a fantastic meal for lunch!

[IntrepidFromDC]

[IntrepidFromDC]

When Napoleon announced he would invade Venice the Doge gave up power in return for Napoleon's promise not to destroy the city, and so ended Venice's reign as an independent republic for 1,100 years, beginning at the end of the 600s. Napoleon had all buried bodies transferred to St. Michele island (right). And the island somewhat distant left in Murano where the amazing handcrafted glassworks are created. You can see free demonstrations of the glass artisans at work.

[IntrepidFromDC]

[IntrepidFromDC]

At 2pm, parts of Piazza San Marco are still 3 inches deep in water. In a couple of these pics you can see the drains trying to work.

 

Notice the clock,  24 hour clock. The bell tower is semi automated where the statue turns to strike the bell on the hour. Church bells still ring out on the hour just as they have for centuries,  adding to the romantic vibe Italy, and especially Venice,  are overflowing with. 

Edited September 29, 2022 by IntrepidFromDC

[Saint Greg]

On 9/27/2022 at 10:02 AM, IntrepidFromDC said:

I notice people wearing boots.  At high tide this morning,  Piazza San Marco was 5 inches underwater. 

 

Looks like they’re wearing small trash bags held on by rubber bands. But it’s like they say…one man’s trash bags is another man’s rain boots.

[IntrepidFromDC]

On 9/28/2022 at 3:34 PM, ninjacat123 said:

How was lunch?  This is one of my favorite Italian dishes!

Amazing.  I had this dish, spaghetti alla vongole, 5 times on this trip and this one was the best.

[ColeThornton]

6 minutes ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

Amazing.  I had this dish, spaghetti alla vongole, 5 times on this trip and this one was the best.

 

I'm really enjoying all the great pictures in this review.  Thanks for taking the time to share with us.

[IntrepidFromDC]

Oldest church in Venice.  The tourguide said it was built in 421. Looks kinda new for 421 so I'm guessing it has been refurbished over the centuries. Also the public stands where the Venetian equivalent to a town crier would announce death sentences from the higher pedestal,  lesser sentences from the lower. 

[IntrepidFromDC]

33 minutes ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

Oldest church in Venice.  The tourguide said it was built in 421. Looks kinda new for 421 so I'm guessing it has been refurbished over the centuries. Also the public stands where the Venetian equivalent to a town crier would announce death sentences from the higher pedestal,  lesser sentences from the lower. 

 

[pe4all]

If you have time get a tour of the Murano glass factory - nice boat ride over, very interesting! 

[IntrepidFromDC]

4 hours ago, pe4all said:

If you have time get a tour of the Murano glass factory - nice boat ride over, very interesting! 

I agree,  and did it twice on previous visits.  Seeing the beautiful glassworks for sale in the shop windows around Venice is WOW, but actually seeing one of the artisans creating a masterpiece completely manually is really amazing! 

[IntrepidFromDC]

Last night in Venice is sooo sad! Here are pics just after sunset of St. Mark's Basilica, Palazzo Ducale (where the rulers of the Venetian Republic lived and worked,  including passing judgment in the court, Bridge of Sighs which was the last glimpse of sunlight prisoners who were sentenced to life in prison would see as they passed from the sentencing to prison (court on left, Bridge of Sighs with one window allowing sunlight in center,  prison on right) 

[IntrepidFromDC]

Dinner tonight was at Nono, a restaurant I last ate at 9 years ago with my daughter.  Clam Stew (wine, butter,  garlic,  more wine) and pizza.

[IntrepidFromDC]

Ponte Rialto 

[IntrepidFromDC]

The 45 minute speedboat to the airport can be caught in the vaporetto area of Rialto. Ticket is $15 one-way and can be bought as you board. Venice "Marco Polo" airport is modern and clean.  No need to take shoes off at security.  

[pe4all]

Have a safe flight!  Loved joining you on your adventure!