A day at the Rialto Market, Murano, dinner with friends and more wandering - July 10, 2012

Our last full land day in Venice dawned sunny, hot and humid.  Katie began with a run around the city.  After another lovely breakfast we headed to the Rialto Market.  As usual the sights and smells were marvelous and intriguing.  I did get the impression it was a little smaller than in the fall when we've been here.  I wonder if it's because many locals are on vacation.  I hope it's not because people are going to big supermarkets instead.  Katie bought a couple of the most juicy and sweet plums we'd ever tasted!

Some beautiful scallops!

Next stop was the vaporetto to Murano.  We walked to the factory at which Al and I have bought several things. I asked the salesman Marco to take us to an air-conditioned showroom he has upstairs so Katie could see some glassware pieces that are truly works of art.  I saw a few beautiful, but my sales resistance accompanied me today.  After walking around a little we had pizza and salad at a restaurant along the little canal.

Colorful buildings along the canal in Murano

This evening my friend Judy and her friend Julie came to our hotel for drinks and the four of us went to dinner at Al Paradiso Restaurant. We'd never been there but it came highly recommended by the staff.  The food was outstanding and we all enjoyed both the food and, better yet, the company.

Judy, Julie, Katie and Ann July 10, 2012

After dinner we parted ways at the Rialto Bridge so Judy and Julie could take the vaporetto back to the ship (they get off tomorrow and then we board).  They promised they left the ship clean for us!  As we walked back to the hotel the neighborhood gelateria was calling us so we made a little stop.  This could become a habit!

All in all it was a grand day!