Venice (5-6)

Description

May 6, 2014 - Our first full day in Venice, we leave the cruise ship with all our luggage, take a land taxi to the end of the ship terminal, board a vaporetto (water bus), then switch to the Hilton's shuttle boat at Zaterre, next to the Church of Gesuati, before finally arriving at our hotel. It was the Stucky pasta factory for many years but closed about 1950 and was deserted for over 50 years before being redeveloped into a hotel. Once we are rid of our luggage, we are free to roam the city, taking the hotel's shuttle boat past the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore on an island across the canal, and on to the Piazza San Marco. Near the shuttle stop is a large equestrian statue from 1488. We also sight another cruise ship sailing into Venice. It is a short walk to the site of the Doge's Palace, connected by the famous "Bridge of Sighs" to the "new" (16th Century) prison on the right. The Doges were the leaders of the Republic of Venice from the 8th Century until the mid-19th Century, when Venice became part of the Kingdom of Italy. After buying our tickets to tour the interior of the Doge's Palace, we have a quick lunch with a big blue bottle of sparkling water.
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