Friday, January 1, 2016
Venice & Murano, Italy

Interested in a Music and Markets Tour? We’d love to hear from you!
We’re looking ahead to Spring – Prague and Budapest, or Venice and the Veneto – join us!

Happy 2016, Venice! It’s a quiet sunny morning on “our” peaceful canal, the church bells ringing a New Year welcome. Giovanna, our lovely landlady, left a holiday panettone on the table for us, with which Kirk made some delicious French (Italian??) Toast – yum!And then we’re off exploring – walking by Madonna del’Orto, of the ringing bells. Could the sky be any bluer?!Must be a good omen to start a new year with a day like this!
Crossing the closest bridge (that’s our spot on the third floor across the canal), we take our time walking through lived-in neighborhoods on our way to the vaporetto stop – today we’re visiting a new-to-us island, Murano!
From this part of Venice it’s a quick ride to the glass blowers isle, and we’re soon walking by examples of the art, such as this shimmering blue  “comet”, placed on the square during the holidays.The factories are closed today, but shops are open – how about a glass bustier? –  and santa’s still leading his reindeer-hauled gondola.At one side of Murano is the museo vaporetto stop, and at the other the faro (lighthouse).The glassblowers artistry fills churches as well as shops, elaborate chandeliers in San Pietro Martire, and a serene glass nativity in the cathedral, which was designed with this lovely exterior gallery that could be seen by those arriving from the sea by boat.
Beside the church, these mourning maidens stand beside a war memorial.We stop for a canal-side snack as the sun sets, and the holiday lights begin to sparkle.Delicate chandeliers are the decor over the main canal,where you can park your boat right in front of your home.Tinting the city in rose and coral, the sun sets behind Venice as we return, and top off a perfect New Years Day with a great dinner at Paradiso Perduto and one of the best guitarists we’ve ever heard – Valter, from Vicenza,about 45 minutes inland. We have been listening to a CD of his at home and remembering the wonderful first day of 2016 – may the year continue to be terrific!