Venice/Padua, Day 5 Italy

We read up on Padua as we took our 30 minute, 2.50 euro train ride in the early morning. We bought one-way bus tickets to St. Anthony’s Basilica where Donatello created the bronze cross and crucifixion and the six bronze statues of the other six patron saints of Padua. St. Anthony’s is a major pilgrimage site with over three million people visiting it each year, and it was quite crowded this day, too. The building of the church began in 1232.

We enjoyed the cloisters and then took an enjoyable stroll back up Via del Santo which took us back to the city center. We peered in at the University of Padua and Caffe Pedrocchi where the university’s intellectuals used to gather. What really surprised me were the many, many upscale designer shops—Cartier, Prada, etc., in juxtaposition with the ancient architecture. It was sort of a Beverly Hills of the Middle Ages. And we were also surprised by how busy it was with tourists.

Upon returning to Venice, we found a new, cozy place to eat, Da Carletto. Lots of brick on the inside walls and wooden beams on top. One thing we noticed, everywhere we went, is that the focus with any pasta dish is on the pasta and not on having a thick sauce such as we have. And the bread here was perfecto.

This was our last day in Venice. We had decided that we wanted a balance of seeing sites and just wandering and discovering, and that is what we had. We still have lots of sites to see in Venice and the cities close to Venice, so she may call us back.

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October 22nd,2005 Uncategorized | No Comments

Venice, Day 4 Italy

Such a rich day! We took the #82 vaporetto to the Rialto Market area and explored the vegetable and fish stands. The morning business of the Rialto Market was a color, variety, and sound sensation.

We also wandered the many narrow streets in that area which are full of kiosks and shops, bought a few gifts, and enjoyed excellent gelatos for a little snack.

We took another vaporetto to Murano, the glass blowing island, and watched a glass blowing demonstration. Very impressive! A French fellow helped us find the right vaporetto to Burano, the lace making island. Better than the lace were the beautiful pastel homes, so full of personality. We had a picture taking frenzy here. Every window, every door, had a sweet story to tell.

We had a very long vaporetto ride back to the San Zaccaria stop in the San Marco area where we went to Trattoria de Bruno for dinner. The atmosphere was lovely. There were musicians, a free aperitif if desired, and free Murano glass bonbons with il conto (the check—-the count). I had tagliatelle with scampi and raddichio which had an exquisitely different sauce on it and Bill had spaghetti with clams. We visited with the man at the next table who was from Geneva and who was feeling quite well after his 100 euro bottle of wine!

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October 21st,2005 Uncategorized | No Comments