Caffe Florian

We got off the water bus (Alilaguna) at Rialto Bridge and hoofed it across town to our three night VRBO.  The location turned out to be as good as I had hoped when I booked it.  It was only a short walk to St. Mark's Square and all that happens there.  

St. Mark's may be touristy, but there is a reason for it -- there's the stunning Basilica of St. Mark's, the Doge's Palace, the Campanile, access to the Grand Canal, the Clock Tower, and more.  

So after getting set up in the VRBO apartment, we found our way to the square, which was doused in brilliant sunlight.  We were jet-lagged, so after wandering around a bit taking photos with the sun on the Basilica, we decided to get a snack at the famed Caffe Florian.

I get it.  Caffe Florian means you are paying through the nose for your snack and drinks.  You also another six Euros per person because there is live music.  Who cares?  You are relaxing in the grandest, oldest Venetian cafe.  It opened in 1720, which makes it 46 years older than my country.  It was also one of the first places in European to serve coffee.

(Editor: But you don't drink coffee.  Writer: The taste of coffee is terrible, but the concept of being one of the first is pretty cool.)

The inside rooms each have a historic or artistic theme.  However, we didn't even go inside.  Instead we sat outside at our table and soaking in the atmosphere.  And, let me tell you, there's a LOT of atmosphere.  

Believe it or not, my first blogged trip was the 2007 family trip to Italy, and I even sprung for all five of us to get something at Caffe Florian.  I even used my Blackberry to post to the blog whilst we were sitting there.  It was quite a thrilling moment.  (Editor: Maybe thrilling for you.  The rest of us, not so much!).

Well, here's some pictures from our afternoon in Venice.

Our "street."  The VRBO we

rented is about halfway down.

Part of the entrance to

the Basilica of St. Mark.

There are angels among us.

The beautiful Campanile

towers above Venice.

St. Mark's.

The winged lion is the symbol of Venice.

Near the top of the Campanile.

The top of the Campanile.

Mark on top of his Basilica.

A great view of an angel

on top of the church.

The winged lion AND angels.

What could be better?

The view from Caffe Florian.

I can't remember their names,

but they sure ring a bell.

The Doge's Palace.

It's always a grand sight!