A Ride on the Grand Canal

One of the great experiences in this life is to ride the vaporetto up the Grand Canal from the train station to Saint Mark's Square.

 Yesterday was lovely and sunny. John and I decided to ride it as far as the Accademia Galleries (three stops short of Saint Mark's).

Some of the finest architecture in Venice is about to unfurl as if in a dream of prime real estate.

Our vaparetto will be joined by busy workboats and gondolas.

That ornate building, second from the left, is the Ca' D'Oro, a 15th century palace that was once covered in gilt hence the name House of Gold. One of our favourite facades on the canal.

These huge hands supporting the Ca' Sagredo are a sculpture by Lorenzo Quinn for this year's Venice Biennale.

John spotted the famous Rialto Bridge coming into view when he peeked into the captain's cabin.

We shared photo-ops with another vaporetto as we passed beneath the Rialto.

We plan to visit this building -- the Palazzo Grassi to see their exhibition Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable by British artist Damien Hirst.

And at last here is the Accademia bridge, our stop!

When we landed I quickly climbed the bridge and caught our vaporetto continuing upstream towards the domed San Salute church and Saint Mark's Square. You can see why we recommend this trip.