Amazing Venice

1 hour 50 minutes north by train from Florence is Venice. I arrived early afternoon into one of the most amazing cities in the world. I stepped out of the train station to see the city just like it is in the photographs floating in front of me, I will never forget that view. It had the WOW factor for me.

I stayed here as part of a two city trip to Italy in August 2012. I was a little worried as people had told me Venice would be hot and smelly in the summer, so I was expecting a dirty canal and a bit of a smell, but it could not have been further from the truth. There was not a hint of a smell and the canal was the clearest blue I have ever seen! We stayed in a small 3* typical Italian décor hotel the ‘Ca Del Campo’ which is located a few streets behind St Mark’s Square. There is a word of warning here, take note of which Vaporetto (water bus) stop you need to get off at because if you get off at the wrong stop the directions you are given will not work and you will get lost, like we did! But the people are so friendly that with a few new directions we soon found our hotel!

A must in Venice is a ride along the Grand Canal. The most romantic and the most expensive is a Gondola (around 100 euros) or there is a water taxi or the Vaporetto. I chose the water bus as I don’t like small boats and was too scared to get in a Gondola, because they do move quite a bit when a waterbus or a taxi goes past! Buy a one day pass for the water bus for about 20 euros each and you can ride the whole of the Grand Canal.

There is lots to see and do in Venice. It is easy to get around on foot of by water bus, walk across the Rialto Bridge, stand in St Mark’s square, visit Doges Palace (get here early or late as when there is a cruise ship docked in Venice the queues are long). Or you can get a water bus to Murano Island and visit the famous Murano Glass.

It can be expensive to eat in Venice, especially if you go to a restaurant in St Mark’s square as they will charge a cover charge for sitting at a table on the square. However it is an amazing location so it is worth it if you budget will stretch. If not, head out from the square and there are many beautiful little restaurants hidden away from the hustle and bustle - the choice is endless.

I want to go back!