Accademia and freetime

A cruise ship was coming in.

The Voga Lunga is happening today.  This is an annual international boating marathon. The Grand Canal is closed to public transportation today. 

We went to the Accademia Galleria.  Laura was our guide.  She was very informative. 

It was raining.  So Sharon and Joyce both bought rain coats – cheap ones. 

 
 Walked up to the Rialto area for lunch at the Oesteria al Portago.  Yummy.  I had the asparagus cheese ravioli and wine. 

 By the time we came out from lunch the sun was out, so we had to have gelatos. We poked around through the shops on the Rialto Bridge and in the market.  Then headed back to the hotel for a sit-down and a glass of wine.  The hardy shoppers went out again.  

Around 6pm we headed out for our Grand Canal cruise on the vaporetto.  It was finally open for service.

This is the newest bridge crossing the Grand Canal.  It is near the train station and bus station and parking lot.  No cars on Venice. It is a modern bridge and doesn't fit with Venice style.

We wandered around a small garden.  There are not many gardens and trees in Venice.

The return trip was much more relaxing.  We got on an empty vaporetto so we could choose our seats.  We were at the front so we could take pictures.  What a nice day.