The 9th of January was Julie’s birthday, and so we had a morning tea of delicious pastries in Florence before taking the train to our next Italian destination – the beautiful city of Venice.

 

 

 

We stayed in Mestre, outside the city, so our first view of Venice’s canals was coming in that evening for a birthday dinner at La Zucca (the pumpkin).  It was quite magical strolling through the streets to dinner and then taking a water bus back at night, and lovely to be celebrating Mum’s birthday with her for the first time in ages!

 

 

 

 

 

 

On our first full day in Venice we went by water bus to St Marco square.  Here we went to the church including the golden altar, saw the clock and the belltower, and strolled around the plaza.

 

 

 

 

We browsed the shops, had coffee at the same cafe (Cafe Quadri) that the Austrians went to when they were in power, then finished our day by exploring the Doge’s palace.  Here we saw beautiful rooms, incredible art, and went over the famous “Bridge of Sighs” where prisoners were brought into the palace (and “sighed” as they were led to their deaths!) No photos were allowed inside, but the decorations were amazing!