I can't stop grinning! I'm finally in Venice. I need to pinch myself to make sure it's real. I'm up early and on deck as we enter port. As usual, our berth is miles from the main town so at 8am I'm on a vaparetto (water bus) to San Marco Square. It's about 20 minutes by boat from the ship.
Very easy to use public transport here. Off the cruise ship, walk a few metres, buy a ticket, get a map, get on the vaparetto and off you go. Staff are all helpful.
Once off the 'bus' I walk to Piazza San Marco. There is already a line outside Doge's Palace. There are a few groups of tourists but I am able to take photos. Hawkers are just setting up their stalls for the day.
The beauty of Venice is getting lost. I was given good advice by a couple on the vaparetto - if lost, follow the crowds. Look up and you will see signs either San Marco or Rialto Bridge. After visiting a couple of churches I am totally lost on my way to find Rialto bridge. Even though there are many signs, it's still easy to lose your way. So I follow the crowds. Eventually I realise that I am miles off course.
Finally I stumble onto the bridge. I make time for a little shopping in a gift shop then take the necessary selfie to prove I was there. Me and 500 others!
Already the crowds are getting thick so I skillfully use my map to find where my noon meeting point is for my gondola ride and pick up my ticket. Once I've found that I have several hours to fill so what to do when in Venice? Get lost again! With two hours to go it's time to sample some delicious looking pizza and of course gelato to wash it down. What better than caffe & tiramisu flavour?
I am enthralled by the workers in Venice. The delivery guys must be so strong as everything is moved by boat then lifted onto handcarts. These carts are then manoeuvred through the streets, up and down steps, over bridges, through the never ending crowds then unloaded by hand at their final destination. The arm work that goes on getting these carts up and down the steps is incredible. There would be no gym memberships here. Heaven help you if you don't get out of the way of one of these guys!
Now it's not just crowded but it's hot. A few shops, some more churches and a bit more walking finds me back in plenty of time for the gondola. A big crowd of us head off following our leader with the lollypop sign saying, "Gondola Ride". We arrive at an extremely busy gondola spot and line up against a wall so as not to anger the shop owner. But he still comes out and complains about people standing in front of his shop!
After waiting for a long time in the heat we finally get into a gondola. What a marvelous experience. I was fascinated watching how deftly the gondelier twists and turns while avoiding other boats. At one stage I felt like I was in a 007 movie as a wooden speedboat zoomed up behind us and we had to quickly make way. Boy racers even on the water! We even managed to experience some singing. This is one experience not to missed. I'll let the photos do the talking.
Afterwards I get lost again. The temperature is blistering and I'm keen to return to San Marco. It's now frantically busy so I follow other lost souls who obviously have no idea where they are going either. Talk about the blind leading the blind. Time for a gelato - black cherry this round. Another shop yields a new Italian leather handbag.
Eventually all good things must come to an end and I find my way back to Piazza San Marco. I'm hot, tired and met with thousands of people to make my way through. Time for a slow exit as I feel like I'm swimming against the tide of humanity. Thank goodness I was here early in the morning as you could hardly take a photo now. The photo doesn't do justice to the crowds under the arches escaping the heat.
By 2pm I'm back on the vaparetto for the return journey to the ship. Shower, lunch, swim, sunbathe and a cocktail to relax.
We're towed out of Venice into the busy shipping lanes and on our way again.
Leaning tower!
Crowds at Piazzo San Marco Square.
Very easy to use public transport here. Off the cruise ship, walk a few metres, buy a ticket, get a map, get on the vaparetto and off you go. Staff are all helpful.
Once off the 'bus' I walk to Piazza San Marco. There is already a line outside Doge's Palace. There are a few groups of tourists but I am able to take photos. Hawkers are just setting up their stalls for the day.
The beauty of Venice is getting lost. I was given good advice by a couple on the vaparetto - if lost, follow the crowds. Look up and you will see signs either San Marco or Rialto Bridge. After visiting a couple of churches I am totally lost on my way to find Rialto bridge. Even though there are many signs, it's still easy to lose your way. So I follow the crowds. Eventually I realise that I am miles off course.
Finally I stumble onto the bridge. I make time for a little shopping in a gift shop then take the necessary selfie to prove I was there. Me and 500 others!
Already the crowds are getting thick so I skillfully use my map to find where my noon meeting point is for my gondola ride and pick up my ticket. Once I've found that I have several hours to fill so what to do when in Venice? Get lost again! With two hours to go it's time to sample some delicious looking pizza and of course gelato to wash it down. What better than caffe & tiramisu flavour?
I am enthralled by the workers in Venice. The delivery guys must be so strong as everything is moved by boat then lifted onto handcarts. These carts are then manoeuvred through the streets, up and down steps, over bridges, through the never ending crowds then unloaded by hand at their final destination. The arm work that goes on getting these carts up and down the steps is incredible. There would be no gym memberships here. Heaven help you if you don't get out of the way of one of these guys!
Now it's not just crowded but it's hot. A few shops, some more churches and a bit more walking finds me back in plenty of time for the gondola. A big crowd of us head off following our leader with the lollypop sign saying, "Gondola Ride". We arrive at an extremely busy gondola spot and line up against a wall so as not to anger the shop owner. But he still comes out and complains about people standing in front of his shop!
After waiting for a long time in the heat we finally get into a gondola. What a marvelous experience. I was fascinated watching how deftly the gondelier twists and turns while avoiding other boats. At one stage I felt like I was in a 007 movie as a wooden speedboat zoomed up behind us and we had to quickly make way. Boy racers even on the water! We even managed to experience some singing. This is one experience not to missed. I'll let the photos do the talking.
Eventually all good things must come to an end and I find my way back to Piazza San Marco. I'm hot, tired and met with thousands of people to make my way through. Time for a slow exit as I feel like I'm swimming against the tide of humanity. Thank goodness I was here early in the morning as you could hardly take a photo now. The photo doesn't do justice to the crowds under the arches escaping the heat.
By 2pm I'm back on the vaparetto for the return journey to the ship. Shower, lunch, swim, sunbathe and a cocktail to relax.
We're towed out of Venice into the busy shipping lanes and on our way again.
Farewell Venice.
Ship is onesided as everyone takes pictures.
