Thursday, April 30th, we set out to do some more sightseeing and take some obligatory tourist photos. We started at the Rialto Bridge.

Then walked to St. Mark’s Square, which was extremely crowded but also beautiful. St Mark’s Basilica is so intricate! Unfortunately we could not get tickets to go inside, but we admired it from the outside. The crowds really were insane.

We went into the Human Safety Net Museum, which was very interesting. It is a hands-on, interactive museum about different strengths of people and gratefulness and hope. The building was also beautiful and offered some nice views of a canal on one side and the plaza on the other. There is a rooftop terrace, as well, but it was closed. I did sneak a photo out the window.

Then Charlotte and I thought we’d walk around a bit and have an ice cream or drink on the plaza. We found a nice place, sat down and looked at the menu. €13 for a scoop of ice cream!! We got up immediately.

So we gathered all the girls and set off to find something a bit more affordable. And found €3 ice cream. It always pays to get off the tourist track a bit. Then it was time to head home for the weekly check-in with their science teacher. And I snuck away for a dinner on my own. A rare treat!

The next day was our last full day in Venice and it was a national holiday/3-day weekend so things were even more crowded than earlier in the week. We had booked a boat tour for the day, so made our way to the Grand Canal through the crowds. It was a big boat and a bit like cattle herding, but we did get to see some interesting places. Our first stop was Murano, the home of glassblowing. We got to see a very interesting demonstration, watching him make both a vase and a horse. Fascinating, effortless and so fast! Afterwards we had a little bit of time to walk around the island, a charming and beautiful spot.

Our next stop was Burano, known for its colourful houses. We had a delicious lunch, walked around and then it was time to board the boat again.

Our last stop was Torcello, a smaller island that is sparsely populated. There is just one road through the island and a beautiful church on one end. Charlotte, Olivia and ran up to the top of the bell tower for some amazing views. Unfortunately, we didn’t have much time so ended up literally running to the boat. But we made it!

Then it was time to head back to Venice. We walked back through St. Mark’s square to our apartment one last time.

When we got back to our apartment, the girls and I took a gondola ride. We had debated it all week because it is quite expensive and they only allow 5 passengers, so if we all wanted to go, it would have been extremely expensive. Steffen generously offered to stay back, so off we went. Luisa wasn’t a big fan, but the rest of us really enjoyed it. It was calm, and we went through some quiet canals while the gondolier explained some of the history of the city, especially about the tides and the flooding that happens.

The next morning it was time to pack up (which did not go smoothly, as often is the case) and head to our next country. It involved a train ride from Venice to Milan, a flight from Milan to Heathrow, a layover, a flight from Heathrow to Glasgow and then a bus ride to the hotel. A long day!! But we booked that night at the hotel using our American Express points, so it was more luxurious than the places we usually stay. A nice bonus at the end of a rough day!