The Benderz' Vacation Adventures: Venice Day 2...Murano and gondolas and more rosso

It was another magical, "happy place" day in Venice today. Believe everything you've ever read about gondola rides...crazy expensive, and totally worth it! I honestly believe it's a "must-do" while in Venice.

So Bender went for another explore the city six mile run this morning while the kids and I slept in. Late blogging makes for tough mornings...truth be told, I think it allows him to wake up the way he wants, and us to do the same.

Our hotel has an awesome spread for breakfast. Ham and cheese and cappuccino and all kinds of pastry! Can't wait to do it again tomorrow! Bender was uber excited about the muesli.

Have I told you about our key? Apparently this is a thing and Bender has encountered it before. It's so big and heavy that you really don't want to keep it with you. So we leave it at the front desk when we leave the hotel. Kind of a foreign concept to me...but one less thing to worry about leaving at dinner. Does that sound like foreshadowing? Well Bender did realize this morning he left his sunglasses at dinner last night...

After breakfast we were off to the vaporetto to make our way to the island of Murano, taking pictures as we went.

Check out this ambulance boat. I wondered how that worked! So many of them lined up. I cannot imagine ever getting such a handle on this place that you know exactly where you're going!!

Boat ride to Murano, both kids in their USA gear. No tourists here.

Luckily, Bender wore his Tour shirt, so they weren't quite sure what to think of us. He did get asked if he rode in it though!!

Murano was amazing. The glass was insane and so gorgeous. Unfortunately, every store had a sign that said no pictures. I tried a couple times and got scolded. I'm not exactly sure of the reasoning...unless you were capable of this craziness, you couldn't copy it! I got away with a couple pics, and we bought some great pieces. We'll see if they make it home.

Zoe was very interested. Zack was good for the first few shops and then...he was very patient.

The scenery and canals were just as gorgeous here. I took some pics for you Sheila!!

Water fountain Murano style. I am fascinated. I think the U.S. should copy this as well!

We jumped on the vaporetto again and took the long way to get back to Venice. So happy to just be on the water!

Back in Venice, we had some business to take care of, like buying souvenirs and...

getting Bender's sunglasses!! Yay!!

And we definitely took lots more pics.

We found our hole-in-the-wall pizza place too! So delicious! And so interesting to stand and watch people come and go.

Then it was back to the hotel for just a bit of down time...

We finally found the souvenir we'd been looking for at a price we could afford. Zoe wanted to bring something special back to her friends...this fit the bill!

Gelato'clock! The awesome lady who runs this place took our picture. This was our third time there. Best. Gelato. Ever. She commented on how cute our kids were before asking us to rate them on Facebook, TripAdvisor, and the New York Times (can I do that?). I promised!

Water fountain Venice style!

We went into a O'bag store looking at a bag for me. We left with Zack sporting a new watch in FCMS colors. Someone is excited about middle school. I told him that I might have to borrow it for spirit wear Wednesdays. It's JCE colors too!

Then we headed back to St. Marks. Unfortunately the light was tough and Zack and Zoe were squinting like crazy. The smart sunglassed ones got some pictures taken. (Truth be told, Zoe was not happy she didn't get a watch and was in a mood. And I swear I'm wearing white shorts that are not too short...my cute shirt is just long!)

She was happy to ride a lion though.

Then it was on to this gem. If you find yourself in Venice, you must stop in. It was recommended as a great place to stop and get a small glass of wine and apps before the real work of dinner begins. We went around 6...had an amazing tuna/tomato/cheese bruschetta and an awesome Brie/fig/walnut one. And some potatoes on a stick for the kids. And wine, duh.

Then it was time to choose our gondolier. We found Leonardo and were hooked.

This was an awesome picture. It's even awesomer because the Australian lady Chris asked to take the pic had to literally climb in the water to give my phone back.

What an amazing experience. Totally different perspective. We learned so much about Venice and how gondoliers really feel about tourists (they are over all the mask and glass shops, and would really like a full-size grocery store.). Loved every moment of this hour...wouldn't change a thing.

We had time for a bit more shopping before dinner. Did you know the story of Pinocchio started in Italy?

Dinner was at a place the hotel recommended, just a couple turns away. The waiters met everyone who arrived with a glass of Prosecco. We ended up sitting right in front outside.