Venice was shrouded with fog as we waited our turn to enter the sheltered waters. There was another smaller passenger ship also waiting, the Costa Fortuna, and they got precedence to enter the lagoon because the captain was a cousin of the harbour master!!! The view was very ethereal and mystic.

When we were allowed off we went on a motor launch ride through the Venetian Lagoon passing the Arsenale, the Church of San Pietro di Castello and St Elena. We saw the entrance to the Grand Canal as we passed through St Mark's Basin.


We visited a Murano Glass Factory to see how the glass treasures are made and bought some earrings as a memento of our visit. The tiny island of Murano gained prominence as a glass-making centre in the 16th century and its products are still greatly revered.

On San Giorgio Island, we visited one of Venice's most remarkable churches. The interior of San Giorgio Maggiore is simple, but houses two of Tintoretto's most important pieces: 'The Last Supper' and 'The Gathering of Manna'.


Boarding a gondola, and sitting on the lovely velvet seats, we traversed some of the smaller canals, crossed by many bridges.

After that we had some free time to explore St Marks Square and the many scarf sellers, as well as visit their Hard Rock Cafe!!

We returned to the ship and watched our departure from our balcony. We noticed a young couple returning just as they were ready to pull up the gangway and found out later that it was the young couple from the table next to ours in the restaurant - they were late because they'd married whilst ashore!!