Show No Fear! DIS Exclusive Viva Italia+DLP TR Sept 2014*COMPLETE* New TR link added 7/3

It's funny how sometimes you just stumble across the perfect souvenir! Love the mask, and so great that it has quite the story to go with it!

Sayhello
 
That reflection photo of the flooding may have ended up out of order and actually been taken now because the guides also got a pic of us with the flooding in the background.
Ok, that's a really cool picture. I mean it must be kind of frustrating to have a city that floods every day, but it really does look amazing seeing the reflection like that.

And DH was sold when he found these hot dogs wrapped in pizza available there also!
Hot dogs wrapped in Pizza... they sell this for the Americans, right?

Looks very good though!

To think, we had almost missed this place, and it was JUST what we were looking for! And it was only 15 Euro, which was quite a bit cheaper than some of the mass produced ones we saw in all of the shops.
Wow! I'm glad you managed to find that one! It looks like it fits in perfectly in a Saints fan's wardrobe. :rotfl:

The scenery is just so beautiful, it begs to be photographed.
::yes::
 
I still can't get over it holding 3000 people. That's like a small arena.

"Bridge of Sighs". Wow, that's kind of deep and a little eerie.

I guess it's not really all that surprising, but these old prisons just creep me out. Obviously the very nature of them is not exactly festive, but I've also seen way too many ghost hunter shows in prisons. :lmao:

Hod Dogs wrapped in Pizza. Just in case you find just having one of them has too little cholesterol. :laughing:

Very cool mask, and it also looks like something that would be perfectly at home for Mardi Gras. :thumbsup2
 
One thing to remember that people were much smaller back then. If you ever get the chance to check out the armor knights wore back then it is very petite in today's standards.
 


That pizza hot dog actually looks quite tasty! Haha, and good for indecisive people who can't pick one or the other. :rotfl:

Love all the pictures, as usual! :thumbsup2
 
Great pictures on the Bridge of Sighs! That doorway was just your size!! :goodvibes

That little shop looks so cute, love the mask you picked out!

I don't blame you, I would be taking tons of pics too. It really is so beautiful.

The comment about it being my size cracked me up because DS says that all the time! lol

The little shop was so great and we had totally missed it the last time we had been on the Rialto. It was definitely the perfect place & the perfect mask for us!

It is like WDW x1000. You just want to take a picture of literally EVERYTHING.


So, we did have a guide at the Doge's Palace, and she told us that in this painting, the prominent people of Venice are represented because they paid to be in it. Every face represents a fee someone donated to the project! We thought that was so interesting! As usual, love your pictures. It was dead of winter when we were there, and not nearly as much light got in to the rooms. It's nice to see it the way you saw it!​

Very cool! Thanks for the info! It was pretty easy to appreciate the beauty of everything just looking at it, but it's even better when you know the history and story behind it.

It was a gorgeous day and they had all of the windows open, which allowed for some beautiful natural light. I can imagine it would be a different experience in winter.

Glad you found your mask. Yeah, we also went hunting for papier mache. Sometimes it's tough to find souvenirs that are cool, good quality, not terribly expensive, and something you can't get anywhere else. A traditional venetian mask is a must.

I didn't see the pizza wrapped hotdogs. Looks pretty good actually.

That was one of our favorite souvenirs for exactly those reasons that you listed! We were very happy that we had stumbled upon that little shop. I kind of felt like mask shopping was tough because I didn't really know what I wanted, but once I saw that one in the window, I knew it was exactly what I had been looking for.

I think I was actually the one that spotted it and pointed it out to DH. He appreciated two of his favorite foods combined into one portable lunch.

It's funny how sometimes you just stumble across the perfect souvenir! Love the mask, and so great that it has quite the story to go with it!

Sayhello

It was literally perfect, because although I knew I wanted a mask, I wasn't sure exactly what I was looking for. When I saw that one, I knew it was just the one I wanted! And it was an even bigger and better surprise to find out that it was totally reasonably priced!

Ok, that's a really cool picture. I mean it must be kind of frustrating to have a city that floods every day, but it really does look amazing seeing the reflection like that.


Hot dogs wrapped in Pizza... they sell this for the Americans, right?

Looks very good though!


Wow! I'm glad you managed to find that one! It looks like it fits in perfectly in a Saints fan's wardrobe. :rotfl:


::yes::

I'm sure it's one of those things locals get used to, but that does have to be kind of bothersome. But there's no denying that the reflection pictures are beautiful.

I'm SURE those have to be for the American tourists! :rotfl: It definitely sucked DH in, and he had to try it as soon as he realized what it was!

Absolutely PERFECT for a Saints family! It's like it was made just for us!!

I still can't get over it holding 3000 people. That's like a small arena.

"Bridge of Sighs". Wow, that's kind of deep and a little eerie.

I guess it's not really all that surprising, but these old prisons just creep me out. Obviously the very nature of them is not exactly festive, but I've also seen way too many ghost hunter shows in prisons. :lmao:

Hod Dogs wrapped in Pizza. Just in case you find just having one of them has too little cholesterol. :laughing:

Very cool mask, and it also looks like something that would be perfectly at home for Mardi Gras. :thumbsup2

It's so hard to describe the enormity of that room and even more so difficult to capture it in photos. It was really incredible!

Old prisons freak me out too. I'm sure that's a pretty common reaction! But still cool to experience, nonetheless.

The mask was probably the best find in all 3 cities for us. It's perfect for Mardi Gras & for a Saints loving family!

One thing to remember that people were much smaller back then. If you ever get the chance to check out the armor knights wore back then it is very petite in today's standards.

Oh yes, I know! I guess I would have fit right in back then. Or been considered tall!

That pizza hot dog actually looks quite tasty! Haha, and good for indecisive people who can't pick one or the other. :rotfl:

Love all the pictures, as usual! :thumbsup2

Right?! I never saw a single hot dog anywhere else in Italy, so that guy who owns the cafe clearly knows how to appeal to the American visitors.

Thanks!!!
 
I love your mask and your bracelets sound perfect.

Sorry I have gotten so far behind on your TR. I've been home 3 weeks and I am STILL struggling to get caught up on the DIS.

LOVE every single picture of Venice. OMG to those pictures that would represent the prisoners last view. Cool, yet so depressing. You are right - Venice begs to be photographed.

I bet that was fun to listen to the impromptu men's choir. I love stuff like that!
 


I love your mask and your bracelets sound perfect.

Sorry I have gotten so far behind on your TR. I've been home 3 weeks and I am STILL struggling to get caught up on the DIS.

LOVE every single picture of Venice. OMG to those pictures that would represent the prisoners last view. Cool, yet so depressing. You are right - Venice begs to be photographed.

I bet that was fun to listen to the impromptu men's choir. I love stuff like that!

Thanks! The mask was one of my favorite finds on this trip.

No worries AT ALL. I have had the same problems getting caught up since our DL trip, but I'm getting there now. I totally understand!

Venice is so freaking beautiful, I couldn't believe it! It's hard to take a bad picture of that gorgeous city. As depressing as the history of the Bridge of Sighs is, it is pretty cool to see as a tourist now.

That was really cool and unexpected! Kind of like stumbling upon World Showcase entertainment but a thousand times better!
 
Day 9 Continued: Tuesday September 23rd

When I left off, we were heading down to the lobby to meet up with everyone else who was going to the glass blowing demonstration that had been set up for us. If I'm remembering right, everyone came along. The guides led us over to the shop, which was not far from the hotel.


ABD 09-153
by disneymom1024, on Flickr
Walking through St. Mark's Square
Walking into the Murano glass shop, it was obvious this was going to be a very cool demonstration. Check out this amazing piece of art greeting us in the lobby!


ABD 09-154
by disneymom1024, on Flickr
We were led to the demonstration room where we met the master glass blower Massimo who would be demonstrating the craft for us. First up, he made a vase in about 2 minutes flat.


Viva 09-054
by disneymom1024, on Flickr


ABD 09-155
by disneymom1024, on Flickr


ABD 09-157
by disneymom1024, on Flickr


ABD 09-159
by disneymom1024, on Flickr


ABD 09-162
by disneymom1024, on Flickr
Stretching the glass to make a handle


ABD 09-163
by disneymom1024, on Flickr
Next, Massimo demonstrated making another object, but they didn't tell us what is was going to be. DH didn't take any photos of this demonstration, but I think there is a video. I'll have to see if I can get it uploaded because it is so amazing to watch. Massimo had this blob of softened glass and he just started working on it, and in seconds, you could see the face and mane of a horse formed, then he quickly pulled the glass to make the 4 legs and the tail. It happens so quickly, you literally blink and you'll miss it!

He set the horse down on the table and the gentleman explaining the process to us told us the glass remains extremely hot for some time after a piece is created. He showed us how hot by holding a piece of paper to the horse and this happened.


ABD 09-164
by disneymom1024, on Flickr


ABD 09-165
by disneymom1024, on Flickr

I think the look on Chris's face in that photo says it all. We were amazed!! There were lots of oohs and aahs and gasps going on in that room. It was a short presentation, but so incredible!


ABD 09-166
by disneymom1024, on Flickr
Close up of the final product
After the demonstration, we were led up to the show room where we got additional information on how they created the vases and chandeliers they are famous for, and how they create the different colors. The red is more expensive because it is made with gold. Of course, that was my favorite color!


Viva 09-079
by disneymom1024, on Flickr
We were given time to disperse among the different showrooms to look around and decide if we wanted to purchase anything. DH and I like to browse, but we had a salesman following us around trying to pressure us into something when we weren't really sure if we wanted anything, and if so, what we would get. Eventually, we were able to shook him off, and we ended up back in the original showroom looking at the vases. Everything was just so beautiful, and we had both enjoyed the demonstration so much that we really wanted to get something. We ended up choosing a red vase (although the salesman tried to upsell us to a set of three lol). This is not the best photo, but I wanted to share the one we got.


Untitled
by disneymom1024, on Flickr
We went downstairs to pay for our purchase, and they took it to the back to wrap it for us. And wrap it they did! I think we could have dropped it off a rooftop and it wouldn't have broken! We were worried about getting it home, but it was not an issue and it now sits on our mantel.

After making our purchase, we went over to the hotel to drop it off and then headed back out for a little more time in the city before we would need to get ready for the farewell dinner. Our destination in mind was Grom, but we knew we would be stopping places along the way.


ABD 09-167
by disneymom1024, on Flickr


ABD 09-168
by disneymom1024, on Flickr


ABD 09-171
by disneymom1024, on Flickr


ABD 09-172
by disneymom1024, on Flickr
We stopped again on the Rialto bridge for some last minute shopping, where I finally found something for my sister and my dad. We got my sister a little porcelain jewelry case that was made like a Venetian mask, and I found a beer glass for my dad with a cityscape of Venice on it. It was a long walk, but we made it to Grom for what we knew would be our last gelato stop of the trip! :sad:


ABD 09-175
by disneymom1024, on Flickr


ABD 09-176
by disneymom1024, on Flickr
Excuse this classy pic of me enjoying the heck out of my last gelato!
Then it was time to head back to the hotel for showers so we could get ready for dinner.


ABD 09-178
by disneymom1024, on Flickr
Leave it to DH to find Donald Duck in Italy!


ABD 09-179
by disneymom1024, on Flickr


ABD 09-180
by disneymom1024, on Flickr


ABD 09-181
by disneymom1024, on Flickr
Using the ENORMOUS room key!

We both showered and dressed for dinner, then made our way down to the lobby for one last family dinner.

UP NEXT: A Memorable Farewell
 
Wait. That big horse is GLASS????? :earseek: That is incredible.

Gee whiz that's hot. I mean I guess it makes sense, but to be able to actually ignite paper. Great reaction capture by the way. :thumbsup2

I think I'm going to have to make some time in the future to see the glass blower on Main Street in MK. That is so impressive.

Aww so nice that Donald was able to sneak in a quick getaway. At least the flight would be cheap. :donald:
 
I am just so amazed at what those glassblowers can do. And they make it look so effortless. I remember stopping to watch the one on Main Street in the MK and just being in awe. We didn't want to leave, but had things to get to. Just amazing to watch. That little horse is incredible! Love the vase you picked out. I was wondering how you'd get it home - guess they are pros at wrapping breakables there.

Ah, I love all the canal photos. Venice is just such a unique and beautiful city. And to top it off with gelato?! I want to be there right now! :cloud9:
 
I'm so amazed anytime I see a glass blowing demonstration! What amazing talent - I can only imagine how long it takes to become that skilled. The little horse is just perfect! Love the red vase too!

Your last gelato looks yummy - sounds like you guys have a great evening ahead!
 
LOVED the glass blowing pics. We stop by the shop on Main Street in MK every time we pass by to see if they are in the process of making their glass wares for sale but none are as ornate at those in your pics. The more I see of your TR, the more I want to go!!! More please?
 
Wow - I bet that glass blowing demonstration was just incredible and the giant horse - well, there are NO words.

I love the vase you bought. It's just gorgeous and how nice that you didn't have any trouble traveling with it. On our last trip to the world there were so many souvies I passed over because I just didn't have the room to bring them home. Hate that!

I think I just read that Venice is the most beautiful city in the world according to the Travel Channel (or someone else - I forget). Your pictures certainly prove that.

Can't believe its your last night. Boo!
 
The glass blowing demonstration looks/sounds so cool! What a pretty vase you picked out.

Last gelato trip :( Now that's definitely sad!!
 
We went downstairs to pay for our purchase, and they took it to the back to wrap it for us. And wrap it they did! I think we could have dropped it off a rooftop and it wouldn't have broken! We were worried about getting it home, but it was not an issue and it now sits on our mantel.
I'm glad they wrapped it so well. I'd have been afraid to buy anything just knowing how fragile and bulky it would be to fly home with it!

The glass blowing demonstration really looks like it was a lot of fun and very interesting. Amazing what a craftsman who knows what they're doing can manifest out of something simple like a blob of liquid glass.

It was a long walk, but we made it to Grom for what we knew would be our last gelato stop of the trip! :sad:
NOOOOO!!!!

Excuse this classy pic of me enjoying the heck out of my last gelato!
Looks classy to me. I'd probably be taking a bigger bite and have gelato all over me.

But then again, this was the last one, so I guess savoring it a bit makes sense.

Leave it to DH to find Donald Duck in Italy!
:thumbsup2

We both showered and dressed for dinner, then made our way down to the lobby for one last family dinner.
Such a sad, bittersweet time...
 
Great pics, as always, and I love the mask you guys picked!

The glassblowing demonstrations are unreal. So cool!
 
All caught up!! I also really loved Venice, though for some reason DH wasn't a huge fan. I could spend a week there just walking around and taking photos! The Doge's palace was a visit we thoroughly enjoyed. Your dinner with the hail sounds crazy!! Though the tables sure are decorated nicely esp for being outside! Love the story of the little mask shop - we stumbled upon one as well in our search for two masks and love them!

The glass blowing demonstration looked really cool and what a beautiful little horse sculpture. Nice choice on the red vase, though too bad about the salesman following you around- SO annoying!
 
I love glassblowing demonstrations. It's always amazing how they pull such intricate & beautiful shapes out of a molten blob!

That vase you got is exquisite! How large is it? It's hard to tell from the picture. I'd've been so scared to carry it home. But obviously they know what they're doing when they pack stuff!

The Farewell Dinner is always such a bittersweet time...

Sayhello
 
Wait. That big horse is GLASS????? :earseek: That is incredible.

Gee whiz that's hot. I mean I guess it makes sense, but to be able to actually ignite paper. Great reaction capture by the way. :thumbsup2

I think I'm going to have to make some time in the future to see the glass blower on Main Street in MK. That is so impressive.

Aww so nice that Donald was able to sneak in a quick getaway. At least the flight would be cheap. :donald:

We should have taken pics of some of the large pieces in the showrooms. It is simply AMAZING what they can do with blown glass!!

We were all really amazed. Of course you expect the glass to be hot, but watching it instantly set a piece of paper on fire really drives the point home in a dramatic way. So cool!

We have never come across the one at MK at work, unfortunately. It was a really awesome experience. I'd love to see something like that again!

lol Good point!!

I am just so amazed at what those glassblowers can do. And they make it look so effortless. I remember stopping to watch the one on Main Street in the MK and just being in awe. We didn't want to leave, but had things to get to. Just amazing to watch. That little horse is incredible! Love the vase you picked out. I was wondering how you'd get it home - guess they are pros at wrapping breakables there.

Ah, I love all the canal photos. Venice is just such a unique and beautiful city. And to top it off with gelato?! I want to be there right now! :cloud9:

Oh my gosh, effortless is a perfect way to describe it. I couldn't believe how he made a horse out of a lump of melted glass in just seconds. I should have taken pics of the layers that went into protecting that vase. It was probably one of the easiest things to get home safely, aside from it being a little bulky.

Venice is in a phenomenal, one of a kind city, for sure. It was like a little piece of perfection! I would give just about anything for that delicious Italian gelato right about now...

I'm so amazed anytime I see a glass blowing demonstration! What amazing talent - I can only imagine how long it takes to become that skilled. The little horse is just perfect! Love the red vase too!

Your last gelato looks yummy - sounds like you guys have a great evening ahead!

They are so incredibly talented to take a blob of melted glass and form it into something recognizable in the snap of your fingers.

LOVED the glass blowing pics. We stop by the shop on Main Street in MK every time we pass by to see if they are in the process of making their glass wares for sale but none are as ornate at those in your pics. The more I see of your TR, the more I want to go!!! More please?

I have never seen the one at MK being used. We did come across a demo at DL Paris, and while it was interesting, it didn't have that wow factor as the demo we saw in Venice.

The more of this TR I share, the more I want to go back!! lol Hopefully I can get the next post up today or tomorrow since I have a little time off this week.

Wow - I bet that glass blowing demonstration was just incredible and the giant horse - well, there are NO words.

I love the vase you bought. It's just gorgeous and how nice that you didn't have any trouble traveling with it. On our last trip to the world there were so many souvies I passed over because I just didn't have the room to bring them home. Hate that!

I think I just read that Venice is the most beautiful city in the world according to the Travel Channel (or someone else - I forget). Your pictures certainly prove that.

Can't believe its your last night. Boo!

It was really amazing to witness such a beautiful craft.

Thanks! As soon as we saw the demo, we knew we had to bring something home. Of course, I would fall in love with the one that was more expensive because they use gold to make that shade of red. lol It was great that they packed it so well. It was a little bulky, but absolutely worth the room it took up in the suitcase.

I wouldn't doubt that fact! It was just beautiful everywhere we had the chance to explore in our short time there.

I know! For such a long trip, it felt like the last night of the ABD came WAY too soon!

The glass blowing demonstration looks/sounds so cool! What a pretty vase you picked out.

Last gelato trip :( Now that's definitely sad!!

It was really amazing to see the craftsman at work. It is such a beautiful art form!

Tell me about it! The copious amounts of gelato we had on this trip still didn't prepare me to leave it on our last day in Venice.
 

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!





Top