Italy, Day 5: Assisi to Venice, Plus: GONDOLAS!

Day 5:  Assisi to Venice & Gondolas

Street performance.

Giulietta.

The famous balcony.

Venice (Venezia) is home to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (Giulietta).  Yes, the people did exist, but their story is that of fantasy, as far as we know.  The famed balcony where Juliet begins with, “Romeo, Romeo.  Wherefore art thou, Romeo?” is quite an attraction.  You can enter the balcony, but I believe they charge.  At the archway to the balcony, on a wall opposite the arch, and within the small courtyard, people have written and posted love notes or the initials of whom they are with.  In hindsight I wish I had done that.  I may never get another opportunity.  Anyway there is a statue of Juliet near the balcony.  Part of the statue is far more shiny than others.  Why?  Well, for some reason (and nobody really knows why), those who take a photo with the statue often fondle her breasts.  

Kissing bridge.

Canal.

Duomo.

One of many beautiful buildings.

We saw a mini version of the Colosseum.  I forget the name, but it was just like a scaled-down version.  Part of the outer wall still stands.  The actual Colosseum used to have an outer wall just like this one, but it has since been destroyed.  In the square there were street performers, and many, many tourists.  We had some free time for lunch, so we stopped at this random caffé.  I just found the name: Caffè Paganotto.  Others from our tour were passing by and decided to join us.  I got a toast lunch set which included a ricotta and prosciutto toast (it was enough for two), mixed fresh fruit (macedonia), and a drink for 10 euro.  I always got acqua frizzante (sparkling water) because it helped to settle my stomach.  They had a variety of toasts, pizzas, and pasta dishes, as well as meal sets. 

A mini Colosseum.

Macedonia (mixed fruit).

Prosciutto & Ricotta toast.

Did you say, “Gondola ride?”  Well, don’t mind if I do.  We took a boat through the main canal to get to our gondolas.  There are so many boats; it’s amazing how there aren’t more accidents!  On the way to our stop we went under a bridge.  The rule is that, if it is your first time going under the bridge, you have to kiss someone.  Kind of awkward if you’re on a boat with random people, but we made it work.  There are so many fantastic mansions in Venice.  It’s a shame that it will someday be under water.  After the initial boat ride we stopped and walked over to the gondola area.  We learned so much about the gondoliers.  They do not sing like the movies would have you believe, and many own their own boats.  There are musicians available for a price, and the gondoliers have patrons enter in a certain order for even weight distribution.  Otherwise, the boat is liable to tip over!

One of many alleyways.

A little ornament on the gondola.

Some of the wonderful people on our tour.

After the gondolas we headed to the hotel on Lido, which was ornately decorated on the outside.  There was a nice outdoor seating area with a bar, and a few gelato stands just down to road.  Everyone went to his or her rooms to unwind and get ready for dinner.  The dinner was a green risotto, followed by pork with a carrot mash and peas.  Dessert was a thick mousse-like lemon cream topped with nuts.  It was okay.  Not the best, but not the worst either.  After dinner a few of us took a walk down to the beach, and on the way back to the room, grabbed some gelato.            

Risotto.

Pork dinner.

Dessert.