Our hotel, once a 16th century convent, now a three star just yards from San Marco Piazza.

The Basilica di San Marco along with the omnipresent crowds in the piazza.

One of several murals, this above the entrance.

Another mural, Christ on his deathbed.

Frieze on Doge's Palace, the original seat of power, also in St. Mark's Square.

We did a lot of window shopping (it was too expensive to buy very much).

Shaving brushes, not something you see every day, but a nice display.

Another anachronism, quill pens.

The Venitian tourist experience, canals, gondolas and bridges.

King Victor Emanuel II, the first king of Spain, in San Zaccaria.

The winged lion is the symbol of Venice, it appears on a number of friezes and statues.

Many street vendors offered masks for the upcoming Carnival period.

Some more elegant masks can cost hundreds of Euros.

For those with even richer tastes, there are these made by Swarovski.

The polizia patrol the canals in their black & whites complete with sirens.

The Dorsoduro district across the Grand Canal. In the foreground are a pair of water taxis.

The Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute in Dorsoduro is illuminated each evening at dusk.

Enough sightseeing, where's my dinner?

Combos entertain nightly at the cafes on the square.

The cafes charge a hefty cover fee to eat or drink during performances.

There is no charge though to dance to the music or just stroll along listening.

A little more window shopping, Venice's famous Murano glass.

Vendors line the waterfront walk at the Royal Gardens.

Tight going. Some of the canals are quite narrow.

A sad commentary as the banned entry is into a church.

Great spot for an apartment, isn't it?

Venitian Daniele Manin is considered the father of Italian unity. Note again the winged lion of Venice.

The Grand Canal is Venice's main "highway" and as such sees a varied lot of traffic.

No trucks allowed, all commercial transport is water borne.

The Rialto bridge across the Grand Canal, completed in 1591 is one of the iconic images of Venice.

The food market at Rialto is quite large. It is pretty much the only source of fresh produce on the island.

Fruit fresh off the boat.

And veggies, too. Red peppers here.

There is also a very large fish market below the bridge.

And butcher shops as well, each specializing in a particular meat.

And as everywhere in Italy, there is always a salami store.

L'Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia celebrates Venice's medieval and renaissance artists.

More window shopping.

Between the Academia and the Guggenheim Museum is an area of high end antique shops.

Entrance to priest's residence near the basilica.

The Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute in daylight.

The central nave of the Basilica features a ring of saints.

Just about all the art and statuary in the church are devoted to the Virgin Mary.

A few moments later she got up and strolled away, her Nike swoosh flashing.

The bell tower and domes in St. Marks Square as seen from across the Grand Canal.

No idea why this statue stands before the old Customs House, but it's well guarded.

Contrasts: Ancient Venice, contemporary Ferrari.

One last window, glass art of a sort.

And finally, hotel courtesy buses are a little different here.