September 15th - My first full day around Venice

Well I got up bright and early, had breakfast at the hotel and set off to explore the wonders of Venice. Firstly to avoid the queues I headed over to the Doge's Palace. From the outside it was stunning, every last detail was perfect. I went inside and walked around this huge place. One of the highlights was the 'Sala del Maggior Consiglio' which was a huge majestic great council chamber. There were huge canvases lining the walls, it was very impressive. This whole hall was shinning and I could not help but think that it must take ages to polish this huge hall floor and walls and everything. Lol

Other highlights inside were the prisons, which were a maze of cells linked by corridors and staircases. Then there was the 'Ponte dei Sospiri' which is one of the world's most famous bridges. 'The bridge of sighs' as it is called is a bridge that crosses to the palace prisons.

Then there were various apartments, all huge and amazing, one room, the 'Sala della Scudo even had two huge world globes and maps lining the walls. There was so much to see, unfortunately no photo's could be taken inside the rooms.

I then left the Doge's Palace and headed over to the Basilicia San Marco, which was equally as stunning.

By this time, lunch was fast approaching, so I headed over to a place called 'Harry's Bar', This bar has been open since 1931 and was were the famous Bellini apertif was invented. There was a bar downstairs and a restaurant upstairs. I headed upstairs and ordered a sirloin steak burger, which was actually sirloin steak between two toasted pieces of bread, it was huge, and the price was huge as well. Basically it was £27 for a burger, but you only live once. Lol!!!

I then tried a Bellini apertif, which was very nice. It consists of smooth fresh peach juice and sparkling Prosecco.

After lunch I then just wandered around San Marco, which is one of the various sections of Venice. I also had a walk along the Grand Canal and took some photo's of the great bridge. There was so much to see and do, but not enough time. I think over the course of my travels I have become immune to alcohol. Seriously, if I lived in Italy, I would be so fat, they really do eat and drink so much. You have wine with almost every meal. Lol

Anyway as the day wore on I went for tea. I only had a light tea as I was still stuffed from the lunch at Harry's bar, so just had a sandwich. As the sun set I got a bottle of beer and sat on the waterfront again next to the Doge's Palace, watching the world go by. It had been a great day and tomorrow I would head off to the North Lagoon by ferry to see some of the older islands.