Day eight and I awoke to the most god awful smell. I couldnt figure out what it was. Then I realized it was Venice. I had heard to not come in the summer as the smell is awful. Luckily it was just in the early am. By the time I went down for breakfast the smell was gone.
Today we were off to the Murano glass factory. Again we had to take boats over to St Marks square. As we were walking towards the square we heard someone calling for our tour director. There was a woman a few stories up in hotel yelling for her. She came running out to see her. As it turns out she did a tour with her 30 years ago and recognized her, she told all of us how lucky we were to have her and that she was the best tour director she had ever traveled with. We all agreed, we absolutely loved our tour director, and I made sure when I got home to tell Trafalgar how lucky they are to have her.
A short walk from St Marks is the Murano glass factory. We are immediately taken to the demonstration which was fascinating to watch it but it does get hot in there.
After the demo we had time to shop. I bought myself 2 necklaces and got one for Murph too.
With that we had free time until the optional tour that was offered in the afternoon. The back seat girls first found a nice café to get something cold to drink and just kick back and relax a bit and then did some more shopping.
I had been eyeing the coral jewelry for a few days and decided to buy myself a ring.
The optional tour was going to be leaving soon and only 3 of us were going on it. Steph and Camille decided to walk back to the hotel.
The afternoon tour was to the Island of Burano. I hadnt heard about it but thought what the heck, you got lunch and a boat ride.
On the way to meet the boat Barb snapped this pic of Tracy and me.
Burano turned out to be the hidden gem of the trip. I LOVED Burano and if you ever find yourself in Venice, you have to take an afternoon and go.
It is a small island, mostly a fishing village. No hotels so it has kept its charm without being spoiled.
We had a brief tour and then went to a fabulous lunch. It was family style and anything you wanted seconds of you could have:
Seafood Risotto
Spaghetti with marinara and clams
Freshest greens we had seen the whole trip
St Peters Fish and Calamari
Juicy fresh fruit
And some sort of tart
This may have been the best meal of the trip. The seafood just came out of the water that day. IT WAS SO FRESH!
Even the wine they served was good, and Im not a wine drinker, well I dont drink at all really, but I sipped that wine and really enjoyed it!
After lunch we had 1 hour to shop. It must have been a sight as Barb, Tracy and I split into 3 different directions to do as much shopping as we could.
I ended up with 2 bracelets and 1 pair of earrings.
Here is a pic of all the jewelry I bought today.
And pics of Burano
With that we took the boat back to Venice and had a bit of down time.
I was exhausted and it felt good to lie down for a bit.
The back seat girls had plans to meet for dinner, so after some freshening up we all met in the lobby.
One of the girls had been given the advice of just getting lost in Venice. So we decided to just wander around. We found a great place to eat and Steph and I both ordered the risotto (had to be at least 2 ordering, per the menu). We sat outside and just really enjoyed the atmosphere, food and company.
With that we took off to explore Venice at night. Now I would have never had done this on my own, but with a group I felt perfectly safe. We got off the beaten path and I got see parts of Venice I know I wouldnt have without this group of women. So my advice to anyone going to Venice
. GET LOST!
We wandered our way back to the hotel and hung out again at the hotel bar, sitting by the water, listening to music. Perfect ending to a perfect day.
for work.
He was rushed into the ER and worked on immediately, they were concerned he had puntured organs as it was sooo deep a hole !!
Thank Goodness he hadn't due to him being a stocky boy he was saved !!! A surgeon was called in and put 15 stitsches in his abdomen and he has gauge on his knee his elbow and bruises all over !!! But he is okay!!!
and back to camp for Jimmy
. He is really looking forward to this week because is going to be taking photography and and 
That's been a place I've always wanted to go---and whilst Daran has been a lot, he's always been working and never got to tour as much as he wants. I'm hoping to have a mini Focker meet over there too.....
)
Enjoy your free week! 
