Venice - Doge's Palace

This afternoon included a tour of The Doge's Palace...read more about the Palace click here: Doge's Palace.

Inside the courtyard...

The Grand Staircase

Click to enlarge and read...

Overlooking Venice from one of the many rooms...

" Scala dei Giganti" (the Giants Staircase)

The Stairs leading to the Doge's private quarters. The Giant Statues of Mars and Neptune on each side was a symbol of the Republic's authority over land and sea. 

Details on the Scala dei Giganti

 hmm...where did Casanova sleep in the Doges prison?

Doges Palace  Prison  is where where Giacomo Casanova, the romantic hero, legendary seducer and famous adventurer was locked up and later escape from the Piombi cells.

Doges Palace was an interesting tour.

Food, Food, Food...Nothing more to want!

It was an adventure choosing the right Ristorante...

So much more than just Italian Pasta...

Fresh Seafood...

mmm, I'm still not quite sure what she was making...

more Seafood...

Italian Ice Cream...of course...

Thank God, there were plenty of places to walk our food off...

Italian ice cream, good weather, Italian gondola men, good food...Venice in the Spring...Did I mention the Italian Gondoliers?  Is there more to Life? We settled on Lasagna and Pasta today...

Day 2 in Venice with Mom

Ahh Day 2 in Venice, once again we couldn't have asked for better weather. Mom signed us up for a 2 day tour of the Island, Monuments and the canals. We started the day lounging at St Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco)

The matching hats were also mom's idea, which turned out to be another great one!

The bell tower of St Mark's Basilica...St Mark's Campanile (Campanile di San Marco)

Canal Tour (note: see cutie Gondolier in the back)

Our handsome Gondolier strikes a pose... (see Video below to experience a moment)

Calm, beautiful...

Quite, peaceful....

Handsome...

 

 

 

Ahh Venice is truly romantic, even if you are on vacation with your mom. (I hardly noticed her, with all the Italian Gondoliers swarming the island)

More Venice...

Venice in the Springtime is even more beautiful than we expected.

Grand Canal



Ah, the beautiful Italian Gondola men....They all say "squeeeeeze me" instead of "cheese" for the photo. hmm, my next move might just be to Italy!



Mom and I took soooo many pictures! They are all beautiful....

mom

me

Cruising through the Venice Neighborhoods...

peaceful, calm, no cars....

We're looking forward to 4 days of relaxation and exploration in Venice....

Venice Holiday Begins

Our first full day in Venice, we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day...

Mom checking the weather before we begin our adventures

Canal View from our hotel window

Side view from hotel

Budget hotel breakfast...(Actually it was not too bad)

Me and my "Homegirl" ready for our 1st full day in Venice.

Walking through the quiet streets, next to canal..

The View from one of many more bridges to come...

Waiting for our first taxi ride on the Grand Canal

Venice Taxi...super crazy expensive!

Venice awaits...

Mom and I took so many pictures our first day, we used up both camera batteries! Venice is a beautiful Paradise. Amazingly fresh air, no cars, no traffic, no motorcycles, no bicycles, no stress, etc...

Departing Paris for Venice (from mom's camera)

"Come on mom, just a few more steps, and we'll be on our way to Venice..."



Mom crawling up the metro steps. She does not like Paris Metro steps!



waiting for the train...




Ah, back on her feet, waiting for train to Beauvais Airport, just outside Paris...



 



mom relaxing on the train



me and mom

So far Mom is a pretty cool "homegirl" to travel with...(nobody believes she's my actual mother...lol)

Departing Paris for Venice

No more jet-lag for mom, so off we go to spend the next 4 days in Venice.

On the train to Beauvais Airport (a Paris Airport that's 1 hour outside of Paris) We wish you were here. Mom say's "Come on!"

A bad picture f o French Countryside

Mom can make friends anywhere....

Mom is Happy...we're on our way to Venice

Over the Alps

Beautiful....

Traviso Airport"o" Italy

Bus ride through Venice on the way to Hotel

Bus ride to Hotel, almost there...



On Venice, looking for our Hotel?!

 to be continued in the morning.....