This is our hotel. It is located right on the Grand Canal with its own dock. That's convenient when you're lugging suitcases around. Our room was quite elegant, a large, nicely appointed room with a generous bath and dressing area. It shared a sitting room with another guest room, but we never had a quiet moment to really take advantage of the opportunity.

More photos of our hotel and then off to explore. One does a lot of walking in Venice. No vehicles, including no bicycles. In a way, that was good after experiencing the deadly bicycles of Copenhagen. There are water buses on the main canals, but you still have to walk as you go to your destination inland. Water taxis are available but are cost prohibitive unless you are dealing with luggage. Then, they are a god send!

We did a walking tour of the main island with a private guide. The photos above start that tour. On the left is the famous Rialto bridge, which spans the Grand Canal. This is just down the canal from our hotel. In the middle is the lobby of the building we went into to go up to experience the view you see on the right. Our guide leads us and as we walk up the steps to the viewing platform, she is watching us, looking for that "Wow!" look in our eyes as we gaze out upon Venice and the Grand Canal. Truly spectacular!