Italy | May, 2015

Train ride from the airport to the metro station.

First meal in Italy! The pizza ended up being one of the top three we had on the whole trip. The restaurant was a chain called Obicà, and was located on top of the department store overlooking the Duomo di Milano. Pizzas were ‘Nduja di Spilinga (‘Nduja Spicy Salami, Stracciatella from Puglia, Organic Tomato, Fresh Basil) and Culatello di Zibello (Premium Aged Ham, Burrata, Rocket, Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP).

First meal in Italy! The pizza ended up being one of the top three we had on the whole trip. The restaurant was a chain called Obicà, and was located on top of the department store overlooking the Duomo di Milano (seen in the background).

Coffee at Nap Cup. It was close to our apartment and apparently had recently open. Prices were good, and the interior was relaxing.

Inside the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a beautiful covered shopping arcade.

The facade of the Duomo di Milano. Unfortunately, most of the rest of the exterior and plaza in front were covered in scaffolding.

Inside the Duomo di Milano.

Inside the Duomo di Milano.

Enjoying a delicious light (as in quantity, not healthy) dinner of panzerotti.

Inside the courtyard of Castello Sforzesco (Sforza Castle).

The outer wall of Castello Sforzesco (Sforza Castle).

A view of two of the Castello Sforzesco's towers behind a fountain out front.

Just a typical, but attractive street corner.

Dinner at bab, a Korean bab and noodle place. Really small, but delicious!

Ramen.

Train to Venice.

Our room in Venice at Cima Rosa - a great little bed and breakfast on the grand canal owned by an American lady and her Italian husband. Really friendly staff and a great location.

First view of St Mark's square (Piazza San Marco) from aboard the Vaporetto (water bus).

A view across the lagoon of the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore.

The Bridge of Sighs at Doge's Palace.

Gondolas on the lagoon and the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore in the background.

Torre dell'Orologio, or St Mark's Clocktower just beside St Mark's Basilica.

St Mark's Campanile - originally finished in 1514, but collapsed in 1902 and was rebuilt in 1912.

Popular during the happy hour timeframe (before dinner), cicchetti bars are common in Venice for a quick snack and time to socialize before dinner. Al Merca had delicious little cicchetti (finger foods) which were quickly gone.

One of the 409 bridges over the 177 canals in Venice, this is a pretty typical, albeit quiet, section of the city.

An old wall and door with encroaching wisteria over the top.

Another of the 409 bridges over the 177 canals in Venice.

Old wall with some interesting carvings.

Lots of narrow streets in Venice.

Taking a break in a nice little square after museums and lots of walking!

Looking up the Grand Canal.

A bridge by the Grand Canal and the fish market.

A gondola tour in front of beautiful Grand Canal buildings.

A view from the Rialto Bridge.

A nice example of the little squares and bridges - complete with a gondolier looking for passengers.

Some buildings have their own private bridges.

The entrance to the Arsenale di Venezia (Venetian Arsenal) - former shipyards and aresenal to the Venetian Republic. It was actually open for tours that weekend, but we didn't fight the crowds on the tour boats.

Looking back down the river toward the Arsenal.

Flags adorn the square and were carried by many in the crowds on St. Mark's Day.

A view of St Mark's Square, St Mark's Basilica, and St Mark's Campanile from the second floor inside Museo Correr.