Ultimo giorno a Venezia (last day in Venice)

Too tired to write a proper blog tonight. So will recap in brief.

Walked to Piazza San Marco (St Mark's Square) quite early. Great to see a lot of locals headed to work, felt more real, and there were less tourists about.

From Venice

Started with the Doge's Palace Secret Itineraries Tour. A wonderful guided tour that takes you to parts of the palace most visitors don't see. Was particularly fascinating to see the cells where Giacomo Casanova was imprisoned and eventually escaped from. Fascinating insight into how the Venetian Republic was a very advanced democracy for its time, but conversely had a torture chamber (which the tour visits) and a most suspect secret service. Following the tour I went through the rest of the palace, which is huge and very impressive, containing more works by Venice's best artists. But there are so many rooms by the end you cannot take any more in!

After a bite to eat was St Mark's Basilica, with its remarkable Byzantine architecture and dazzling gilded mosaics. Although it's free to enter the Basilica, you have to pay to see the Treasury, golden altar screen and museum, but these sights are more than worth the cost, and in most cases get you away from the river of tourists winding through the main part of the church. You get an amazing view of St Mark's Square from the museum.

By this time I wanted to escape the crowds and so headed to San Giorgio Maggiore, an island just a five-minute vaporetto ride from St Mark's, but almost deserted by comparison. Wonderful to find such a serene setting so close to the centre of Venice. The main sight here is the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore, and while the church is worthy, it is the view from the bell tower that dazzles. Photos to follow.

As is my way, rather than call it a day I was determined to fit another sight in. This one was a 40-minute ferry ride away on the island of Burano, best known for lace-making and it's brightly-painted houses. I am so glad I made the trip, as it was a wonderful and relaxing way to end the day. A lovely island to stroll around, with lots of locals talking in the streets and children playing. The day was capped off with a stunning sunset on the ferry ride back to Venice. I hope the photos do it justice

From Italian sunset

I haven't done a good job of recapping in brief, but it pains me to leave all the great details out (mainly in case I forget them!). Tomorrow: Florence!