***This vacation was taken before I started blogging and before I started photos of my meals or owned a digital camera. It still contains relevant info on sightseeing and dining.***
My vegan travel journeys brought me to Venice, Italy by boat. This small, quaint city contains several sightseeing treasures which can be explored in a day’s time. The St. Mark’s Basilica in the Square is ornate and beautiful and is known to contain the remains of Saint Mark! This is a must-stop for tourists. Pigeons are known to flock about the square.

I strolled around Venice visiting the shops and winding alleys.

The region is also well-known for artisans in the craft of glass-blowing. During a tour of the glass-blowing factory, the artists showed us the process of glass-blowing. I purchased a stunning, green “flower print” vase as a souvenir. I lost my wallet in the gift shop. However, upon return later I found out that some kind soul had found my wallet and gave it to the storeclerk for me. The honesty and kindness of the Venetians meant so much to me!

Single ladies take note…! The Italian men are quite the assertive charmers!! When I asked for a photo, a couple of men actually swooped me off the sidewalk, lifted me up in their arms and swirled me around. Quite an experience!!

There were street performers entertaining the crowds as the pidgeons flew by.

Numerous restaurants and outdoor cafes line the Square which makes a unique dining experience. Obviously the meal of choice is a pasta dish! I had to verify that the pasta dish I ordered contained no egg products. There were many restaurants offering spaghetti, linguine, and fettucine so it should not be too difficult to choose one that has vegan pasta(other parts of Italy do use egg in their pasta dishes.. Vegans beware). Being Italy, the pasta and red sauce was delicious. Venice actually has several vegan-friendly restaurants in town including Brek, Frarys, Gam Gam, La Piscina (gourmet), and Tratorria da Silvia.

Now on to more sightseeing!
The Rialto Bridge which oversees the Grand Canal is a covered walkway which was built over 400 years ago. It leads to shops on either side. It is known as the “heart of Venice”. The bridge of Sighs, made of white limestone was built in the 16th century. It connected the old prisons with the interrogation rules of the Doges Palace.

Doges Palace is a popular tourist stop. Visitors may step inside the enormous rooms and gaze upon the grandeur of ancient Venice. The local arched bridges are a photographer’s dream and make for picturesque postcards.

Finally, the “piece de la resistance” in Venice..That’s right..A gondola ride! I enjoyed the cruise along The Grand Canal as singing musicians courted us along the gondola route.