Venice is a city of sighs! (Venice)

Member Name: garymarsh6

Product:	Venice
Date:	31/05/09 (208 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fantastic Unique and magical.

Disadvantages: EXPENSIVE with a CAPITAL E

Venice.


I was under strict instructions to make sure I was off duty for my birthday but unfortunately I was unable to arrange to have the time off until the following week for what was supposed to be a special birthday surprise.

Unfortunately due to a couple of circumstances beyond our control I actually found out that my birthday treat was to be a trip to Venice. I couldn't believe it as I have always wanted to go there but never imagined it would happen this way. I would have probably gone into heart failure had I found out about it at the airport so it was probably for the best I found out about it before hand anyway.

Unable to cancel the trip we decided to go ahead with the visit and boy was I surprised and excited.

The night before the trip to Venice we had gone to London to see a show and to have dinner and due to an oversight erm probably due to the spiritual variety we actually got on the wrong train ending up in the middle of nowhere with little chance of getting home the right side of midnight. We actually got home at 2AM and had to be up for 4AM to check in for the first flight of the day to Venice.

Panic galore trying to organise a taxi to take us to the airport we finally found a company that would pick us up at 05:15 which left ample time to get to the airport as its only a 15 minute drive away and having checked in and got the boarding card the day before we just had to go through security with no queues thankfully.

After what was a fantastic flight to Venice with ample supplies of Champagne we arrived at Marco Polo international airport. Following which we had to get ourselves into Venice.

From Venice airport there are a number of options to take you into Venice.

1. The bus.
2. A taxi which will only take you part of the way and drop you off near the station but then it would be quite a walk to the hotel or by connecting to the local water bus service serving the whole of Venice.
3. A water bus known as Alilaguna which leaves directly from the airport into Venice via four different routes depending where you are staying. 13 Euros each way or 25 Euros return. All routes end or pass St. Marks Square.
4. A water taxi at the princely sum of 95 Euros each way is obtainable next to the Alilaguna water bus pick up point and can take you directly to your hotel if it is on one of the canals. This is the fastest option but certainly not the cheapest.


We had opted for number 3 which was fairly reasonable bearing in mind that it took approximately an hour to get from the airport to the Rialto Bridge water bus stop. It was quite a fun ride across the designated bus/taxi route. Taxis speed past the water bus and despite the buses slowing down we were thrown about a bit by the wash they left behind. It was actually good fun. We alighted at the Rialto Bridge and quickly found our hotel which was in view of the bridge. (See review of Hotel Al ponte Antico).

After a quick shower and a half hour snooze and following a spritzer on the balcony of the hotel we headed off for a little exploring.

We crossed the Rialto bridge which is quite a spectacular sight in itself which would be even more spectacular minus the graffiti, with little souvenir shops over the bridge and then we explored the local area around here. Venice is such a spectacular magical place and exploring the little alleyways and streets with fantastic sights coming into view at every turn. It is absolutely amazing and fascinating and we spent a couple of hours just walking around and finding new vistas to photograph and admire.

Some of the sights are absolutely breath taking and unbelievably personal and sights to behold. I loved the little streets and to see how Venetians normal daily life continues on these tiny little islands surrounded by canals and waterways. The beauty of the buildings and the architecture is absolutely wonderful and leads to all kinds of emotive feelings.

As time was getting on we headed back to the hotel to change for dinner and headed out again for St. Marks Square. Oops did I forget to mention liquid refreshment before we headed off . A review of where we had dinner at Cips club Cipriani hotel will follow.

The sky line is absolutely wonderful both in the day and at night. Church towers and domes rising up into the sky and beautiful buildings such as theatres and opera houses and palaces are absolutely amazing on the eye. St. Marks tower, St. Marks square, the Basilica of St. Mark and the Doges palace not to mention the water front! St. Mark's area is the hub of Venice and it would be criminal not to visit this wonderful square.

The shops selling locally produced Venetian glass on the island of Murano all in different colours and hues, hand made masks and all kinds of Italian delicacies. The cafes and trattoria's and most of all the tiny alley ways leading to new vistas and of course the canals are wonderful. There are lots of hotels and palaces and art gallery's to lose yourself in.

The Grand Canal is wonderful to traverse on one of the vaparetto (public buses) and you can hop on and off at various stops along its route. However be aware that the cafes that line the canal charge extortionate rates whereas by nipping into the next road back your meals and drinks will be much cheaper. The canal is lined by magnificent palaces and the decorative exteriors are well worth seeing.

One of the most impressive places to see was the 'Scala Contarini del Bovolo' which is a small palace building down a little alley way which has a circular staircase built on the outside of the building. This amazing building was built in 1499 can you believe and it is practically unheard of or missed due to its location. It is not too far from St. Marks square but is within the area of the plaza Mannin down a few side streets and at the end of a tiny alley. Sadly the stair case was closed but apparently one can get absolutely fabulous views of Venice from the top. Bovolo by the way means snail.

The story goes that the person who owned the palace asked the builder to build him a staircase after the palace was practically finished. He went away and left the builder to it. Instead of wrecking the place to put in the staircase the builder decided to build the staircase on the outside of the building resulting in this magnificent wonder. You can have a look at a picture of it at the following website;

http://www.destination360.com/europe/italy/scala- contarini-del-bovolo


Despite the over priced Gondoliers plying their trade many of them were idle I suspect because of their pricing. They were hanging around the bridges waiting for tourists to take a ride. I tend to think of them as being a bit too touristy and a half hour trip on one can cost approximately 100 Euros. I think it is hardly worth it in my humble opinion, unless of course, you are heavily into tackiness. I think it is essential to haggle and perhaps you will get it a bit cheaper. I never heard one Gondolier sing at all and there were many just standing around on the bridges waiting for customers to be mugged of another 100 Euros. I will never forgive Walls for their interpretation of O Sole Mio it was like a blooming brain worm never far from ones mind when seeing the gondolas on the canals.

Venice is an incredibly expensive place around the touristy areas but wander off down the side streets and alley ways to find wonderful trattoria's for delightful tasty food for at least half the price. It is such a magical and unique place like nothing else on earth. Nothing compares to Venice. You hear of places such as Bruges and Amsterdam being the Venice of the north.... Nothing could be further from the truth. Venice is a one off. Although we were only there for less than 48 hours it certainly gave me an incentive to go back and explore more.

During the day time thousands of tourists flock to Venice and it does tend to get rather crowded. Although I thought it would be awful with so many tourists' coming there but it adds to the charm and interest of Venice. After about 5PM when all the tourists desert the tiny Island it is much more pleasurable to wonder around although it is still quite packed. After all Venice is a living and working city although I suspect approximately 85% of people are tourists.


How to get to Venice?

There are several airlines flying direct from the UK from regional airports and main airports. BA with whom we flew fly from Gatwick with approx 3-4 flights a day and also their main hub at Heathrow but only once a day. Other airlines flying direct to Marco polo international airport include Easy jet. I believe Ryan air fly to as they call it Venice but in reality it is not it is at Treviso and is about 19 miles from Venice but within easy reach nevertheless.

Venice is also a starting point for quite a few Mediterranean cruises and the cruise terminal and the massive cruisers can be seen for quite a distance. If I were ever to go on a cruise that departed from Venice I would definitely opt to stay in Venice for a few days prior to the cruise.


In summary Venice is an absolutely beautiful city and I would highly recommend you visit it at least once to explore all it has to offer. Be prepared for the expense and lots of walking but you will reap your rewards with the delightful sights and delicious foods and the magical feeling of Venice.

Another tick off my bucket list.

I am hooked now and can not wait to go back.

Thanks for your patience in reading this review I hope it has been helpful to you and encourages you to visit.


My rating for Venice is actually off the scale in terms of Architecture, history and the cultural activities available.

Summary: If you only visit Venice once you will not be disappointed.