Venice

June 5-6 2011
The time we spent in Venice felt like  the first plate of a nine course dinner. To get a complete feel of this city you need more than two days.
We chose to go to a Contemporary Art Exhibit that only comes to Venice every two years. Countries around the world submit the art. The buildings and exhibits are built for the six month show on the Lido side of Venice. We found ourselves experiencing feelings of Joy and laughter to sorrow and pain.
We stayed in a hotel called Laconda Orselo on a small canal about two blocks from St. Marks Square.
They made us feel like family. The breakfast was so remarkable.Made to order crepe's and eggs(our favorite) along with a buffet of salami's,ham ,cheese 's, crossiant's, fruits,cereals,quiche,hot sandwiches,fruit pie,house cookies and more.
 The weather was a mix of rain and comfortable tempuratures.
We enjoyed strolling in the evening and the aura of Venice is like no other than romantic.....

 St. Marks Square

 Art..

 Kurt loving the robes and slippers after a day in the rain.

 Contemorary art.

 View from our balcony in Venice.

 Night out in Venice,So romantic...I look forward to the day we come back.

Venice...

Murano

We arrived in Murano. Left the car at The Venice Airport and took a 20 minute water ferry ride to the Island. The Bed and Breakfast Villa Lina was a delightful B&B. Evi and Carlo were the most welcome host. Carlo's father built a glass factory next door to there villa which is now owned by Moretti,which is the glass I buy when I make my lampwork beads. Carlo has been designing lamps for 50 years. Evi has two brothers who are well known for there glass work.We stopped at one of the factorie's and got to peek upstairs at the ornate, intricate work.
The Island is just glass shops, factorie's and restaurants. We found a few items to bring home.We were overwhelmed with so many different mediums of glass.

 Sunset view of Villa LinaVilla Lina Bed and Breakfast

 Morning view at Villa Lina having breakfast,Carlo looking over his canal. and some glass work below

 A master glass blower

 A shop in Murano where I purchased some glass spoons.

 Skuttlefish(Squid) pasta and Salmon Penne.

 Lamp Design by Carlo Ferro, 1960's

Resting area at Villa Lina

Exit here honey! We can go to Castelrotto!

 Our meal of Wienerschnitzel!

 Grappa,how do they get that pear in there?

Thursday late afternoon,June 2nd 2011

A quaint little village we stopped at before heading back to Carano Called "Castelrotto".. Ate some Wienerschnitzel,a breaded veal with cranberry sauce and fries.
Enjoyed the feel of a small village with cute shops,found a wonderful little place were we bought some wall hangers to bring home.
As we were eating it started to rain a bit,the waiter wanted to make sure we were ok with that,,LOL...

Change of plans,we are going to Austria!

Wed-Thurs,June 1,2-2011
 We were looking at a European Holiday that is  "The Rising of Christ"." Everything is going to be closed on Thursday.. So lets drive to Innsbruck Austria", Kurt says. OK, I'm In I say!!
          You are in a constant state of awe driving on the Autostrada/Autobahn. These are in comparison to US freeways.They are toll roads. Depending on how long you drive on them. The most we have payed is 8 euros,which is about $11.61 US.That was all the way to Innsbruck Austria.About a 2 hour drive or so from where we are staying.
           Austrians drive way slower and are very polite,unlike the Italian drivers who are on some kind of suicide mission and the "horn" is away to say..speed up or get out of my way!  Move over and let them pass. NP.
           We visted "Old Town" in Innsbruck, Austria. All shops were open and we did not have to worry about parking in the city.It was free and many spaces available.
            Lunch was a yummy Bratwurst and fries,finished with eating the delish Gelato while saundering around the shops and admiring fountains and my favorite "window facades".
 The experience of picking a piece of original art from a street artist capped off the afternoon.

Lunch in Innsbruck

 Typical views driving in Northern Italy.

The main square in "Old Town" Innsbruck.

 

 Street performer and her adorable wiener dog!

                            Kurt in Innsbruck

 Views driving from the Autostada in Northern Italy.

Gelato in Innsbruck,Austria

The Artist.

Our Little piece of Art from Innsbruck.