Venice - Wednesday

Every day offers up new delights. Today we took the vaporetto to the island of Torcello where the original inhabitants of the Venice area settled to escape the violence of the Barbarians in the 5th century. It is all but deserted today as the island's inhabitants eventually moved to present day Venice, relocating their buildings over time as well.  The exception is the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta which remains on Torcello with its stunning mosaics and bell tower that affords amazing views of the lagoon.  The island is also home to one of the best restaurants in the Venetian area, at the Locanda Cipriani, an inn which has attracted the likes of Ernest Hemmingway, Charlie Chaplin, the entire royal family, and today - David, Wally and me!!  After our tour of the basilica and bell tower, we ate a scrumptious three course meal in honour of David's upcoming birthday.