Venice when it glitters

Normally my blog posts are quite lengthy and full of aliteration-ridden descriptions about what I have seen and done. Except this one is going to be an exception. You see, I am currently on the island of Venezia Santa Lucia, or to put it in plain English - Venice.
The reason this post isn't going to be burting with detailed sentences about the inside of churches or an indepth account about pristine scenery, is because no matter how I describe it, I will never do it justice. Venice is just that beautiful.
The moment I got off the train and onto the main docking harbour, it was like I had stepped out of realisty and into a dream. Every single thing you've ever envisaged about Venice is exactly as it seems. The crystal blue water, reflecting the bright, golden sun. The old, rickety gondolas with the old men singing with an accordion. The winding, narrow streets laden with infinte number of bridges to allow access accross the canals. It's all true.
Therefore, this post will mainly be inundated  with photos from my afternoon in truly the  most sparkling (in every meaning of the word) city I have ever been to.

Welcome to Venice

 Piazza di San Marco, described by Napolean as the finest drawing room in Europe.

Basilica di San Marco, built to house the body of St Mark, which had been stolen from the burial place in Egypt by two Venetian merchants.


I absolutely loved this cathedral. I could have spent hours, upon hours inside. The basilica, which was built in the 11th century was elaborately decorated both inside and out. The floor was made of tiny pieces of different colour marble cut out and placed in 'optical illusion' stirring designs. Massive, marble column ornately carved were everywhere. And my absolute favourite part was the roof with it's coloured glass mosaic covered with 24 carrot gold.

Beautiful gold bejeweled treasure buried with St Mark

gold, gold everywhere

funny old man

The Palazzo Ducale aka the official residence of the duke of Venice when he was stilll up and running, was built in the 9th century (so many old things in Venice!) and is now open to the public.
This was at the Palace and I'm not quite sure what it's significance was but it is old and made me laugh because it looks freakishyly lifelike.

famous Venetian glass and marble jewellery

One of the most amazing store I have ever been in- it was overflowing with amazing Carnevale masks, in about a million different colours and styles

I love this far too much

As if it was even possible, when the sun went down, Venice seemed to get more magical then it was before. Dusk was the most beautiful time - the sky was turning a light blue colour with a tinge of orange and pink whilst all the waterside restaurants and docks had already begun to turn on their candle light lamposts.

Sadly, I am leaving Venice tomorrow morning but somehow I kind of perfer it that way. I feel that if I spent too long in this enchanting island, it might lose it's 'dreamlike' untouchable quality. It's almost too beautiful to be true.