Venice, beautiful Venice

After 11 days of traveling around Croatia and adjoining countries I was tired;  As we went to bed in a hotel near the Marco Polo airport, I fount myself wishing that I hadn't signed up for the extra two days in Venice and could just head home the next morning.  But in the morning we eight who had opted to stay were driven to a lovely hotel, the Monaco Grand Canal, which was the nicest hotel of our entire trip (which is saying something) and, as the name implies, right on the Grand Canal.  All I needed was one sighting of the Grand Canal and I was so glad I stayed.  Venice is a magical city, timeless and beautiful.  I have been there once before but this time I did go on a gondola ride, touristy but fun.  We also took a boat ride out to Murano Island and saw a glass blowing demonstration and toured one of the beautiful showrooms of Murano glass.  I wasn't tempted to buy anything until I saw a lovely vase, very smooth sleek design like an elongated oval,about 24 inches tall, with swoops of color inside the clear glass form.  it was truly lovely and I asked the helpful young man who had led us on the tour how much it was.  His reply "You have very good taste." I knew I was in trouble.  "How much?" I said again. "Twenty-five hundred euros."  Ouch, I gracefully declined.  "Perhaps" he said "we could negotiate the price."  "Can you negotiate it down to 500 euros?"  The poor man blanched and sadly walked away.