• We enjoyed a flamboyant coffee lecture and tasting at illy in Trieste, Italy.

• A coffee cup chandelier in the illy tasting room.

• A drive-by photo of the main square in Trieste

• A drive-by photo of the city and port of Trieste, Italy

• We enjoyed lunch at this agriturismo on our way to Venice.

• Arriving for lunch at the agriturismo

• All the food for our lunch was raised, processed, and prepared on the farm.

• Our hostess at the agriturismo with bus driver Boris and tour leader Jasmina in the background

• Operation of the agriturisma is a family affair.

• Our room at the Hotel Abbazia in Venice

• Hotel room number signage - Good luck!

• The Grand Canal from the Ponte Scalzi. This was near the Hotel Abbazia, our lodging in Venice.

• The Rialto Bridge in Venice, Italy

• The Rialto Bridge in Venice, Italy

• The Grand Canal from the Rialto Bridge

• The Grand Canal from the Rialto Bridge

• The Grand Canal from the Rialto Bridge

• We began our guided walk through Venice by crossing the Grand Canal on the Ponte Scalzi. This is looking back toward our hotel.

• We crossed bridges over small canals.

• We crouched through passages with low ceilings that resulted from raising floors to combat rising waters.

• We walked through narrow passages. Photo courtesy of Vivian Weaver

• Our local guide Silvia led us to a typical Venetian residential neighborhood that is much less touristy.

• A quiet square in this Venetian neighborhood

• An upscale shop with a beautiful chandelier

• Detail of the jellyfish chandelier

• Our group of Venice travelers with Silvia

• Our group of Venice travelers with Silvia

• A Venice fish market

• Inside the Venice fish market

• Sauteed calamari seemed to be our group's least favorite local delicacy on our tour. Thus, Doug couldn't resist including this photo.

• We stopped here for coffee and a light lunch.

• Some savory options

• The shop owner talking with the group.

• San Marco Square

• The Bell Tower

• A view across the San Marco Basin from near San Marco Square - The Church of San Giorgio Maggiore is on the right.

• Off to the islands of Murano and Burano

• Our boat docked at Murano

• We visited this shop for a glassblowing demonstration.

• Applying decoration to the glass

• Next stop: The island of Burano with its leaning church tower

• Burano is a lovely, colorful, town.

• Travelling with clowns

• A view of the Julian Alps from the island of Burano - That is Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta on the island of Torcello between Burano and the Alps.

• We had one final day in Venice for independent exploration. We meandered over the canals back to San Marco Square to tour the basilica and the Doge's Palace.

• A familiar pose - Photo courtesy of Vivian Weaver

• Basilica San Marco

• Basilica San Marco interior

• Looking up at the ceiling of the Basilica San Marco

• Basilica San Marco interior

• Basilica San Marco interior

• Basilica San Marco interior

• Basilica San Marco interior

• Pala d'Oro

• After leaving the Basilica, we toured the Doge's Palace. This is a view from San Marco Square

• The Doge was akin to what we might call a city manager. He was appointed for life by the Council. He served (kneeling to the left) the Council (symbolized by the lion).

• The Courtyard of the Doge's Palace with the domes of the San Marco Basilica in the background.

• View from inside the Courtyard of the decorations atop the Palace wall - The Palace had an apartment for the Doge, but most of the space housed chambers for various councils of the government and the prison.

• The Giant's Staircase inside the Palace Courtyard

• The sculptures are of Mars and Neptune

• Interior Courtyard wall detail

• The Golden Staircase

• The Compass Room

• Canaletto - The Pier towards Riva degli Schiavoni with the Column of Saint Mark

• Vittore Carpaccio - Lion of Saint Mark (1516)

• The prison at the Palace

• Peering into a cell

• Peering into a cell

• A view of the Bridge of Sighs from inside the palace

• Our last views of iconic sights in Venice prior to our departure the next morning

• All ten of us who stayed for the Venice extension dined here the evening before departing for home.

• Evening after dinner near the restaurant

• Needless to say, we travelled with a fun and wonderful group!