An Artsy Girls Weekend in Venice

The girls and I headed to Venice this weekend for visit my sister. Part of her artist residency includes a solo show and we didn't want to miss it.

Since it is winter time we took the train, I didn't want to chance having to drive in serious snow in the mountains like our last visit. Taking the train is generally pretty relaxing and easy, making it a nice way to travel.

Once in Venice we took a vaporetto to our hotel by the Accademia Bridge and then found Mel's school and show. My Maps app couldn't quite get us to Scuola Internazionale di Grafica but after asking in a bar and a wine shop we found it! Mel's show was absolutely incredible and we were excited to see where she would be working for six weeks. 

Mel then took us to Bentigodi Osteria for dinner. The students at the school eat here often and we could see why.  The food was delicious, the restaurant sweet and they had live music. Perfect! I think this qualifies as one of those just-get-lost-and-find-where-the-locals-eat kind of places

Mel and I started the next day with  a walk through Venice while the girls slept. While the weather wasn't beautiful, Venice offers so much visually it really doesn't matter. 

Rachel & Stefanie

Once we got the girls moving we went to paint our own masks. This was tons of fun.  We each chose our own unique mask. While Stefanie and I are definitely more simple artists we were all super pleased with our results!

My mask and Mel's

Finished!

We spent the rest of the afternoon shopping and eating on the island of Murano, we love browsing all the different glass shops and seeing what treasures we can find. Once back in Venice we did what everyone should do on a girls weekend, we shopped for purses, shoes and makeup. Sephora hasn't made it's way to Germany so the girls were THRILLED to spend some time there! And then of course a yummy and delicious dinner!

Our last morning in Venice came all too soon. Mel and I met for a walk again and while waiting I saw a different sort of "rowing" excercise, two guys  working out using a gondola. When in Venice...

Mel and I walked through St Mark's Square catching views of lots of Carnivale costumed people getting ready for the Flight of the Angel in St Mark's Square. 

We toured the Basilica of Good Health with the girls, another beautiful church. It houses the Black Madonna but she is kept locked away most of the time so we didn't get to see her. Then it was time for pizza lunch, farewells and for us to catch our train. On our way to the train we had one more little treat, an encounter with Charlie Chaplain, he was cute! 

Stefanie, Charlie & Rachel

 Another quick visit to Venice but so fun to spend it with Auntie Meli!

Stefanie, Meli, Rachel & Missy

Auntie Meli Part I

Mel & MIssy at Neuschwansteian

Auntie Meli finally visited us in Germany! Many people predicted she would be the first and most often visitor; but as sometimes happens, life got in the way. BUT, she did get here. She was on her way to an artist residency in Venice and was able to schedule visits before and after her residency - lucky for us!

Steve, Mel, Rachel, AJ & Stefanie (Dominic was already back at school)

Her first day here we headed to Andechs, because we love to take our visitors here. It is truly Steve's favorite place! The church is beautiful, the food is good, the bier is great and the atmosphere is perfectly authentic!

Missy & Mel

The next day we spent touring around Munich and at the Jean Paul Gaultier show. What a fabulous show for me, Mel, Stefanie and Rachel to go to together. His clothing designs are just so stunning and fabulous. The show was absolutely incredible. Plus there was a Madonna room...

Meli in Germany

We spent Mel's last day visiting Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein. They truly are stunning castles to visit and we had the best guide I've ever had in Hohenschwangau. And since I believe this was my sixth time touring the castles you know I have some experience!

Hohenschwangau from Neuschwanstein

Lunch!

View from a window in Hohenschwangau

Although it was cold we had a great day exploring the castle grounds and castles.

Auntie Meli has arrived!

Woohoooo! Auntie Meli is here! We are psyched to have her visit for three days before she starts her artist residency in Venice! You can follow what she is up to here: Mel's Blog.