Day 6 Already and it's my birthday woooo!, Up early today as we are catching the 9am train to Venice, The train station is only 10 minutes walk from the campsite, so a bit of breakfast first and off we trot. Train bang on time and extremely busy, no available seats but it was the same last year and many people got off at Verona, so we were hoping for the same this time round. Approaching Verona and yes it was a mass exodus of folk, finally a seat, as the trip was about 2 hours long i didn't fancy standing all that way. Now sat comfortably i put me ipod on, so did Rees and Sally was reading her Kobo e-reader. Finally we could see the sea approaching and we crossed the bridge linking the mainland with Venice at a snails pace.
 |
| View From Bell Tower Back At Mainland Link Bridge |
Everyone was up itching to be the first off the train, what's the rush i thought, it was chaos. The Train pulled up and we let everyone off before we made the effort. First stop was to buy a tourist map (again) as we forgot to bring the one we got last year, we got the map and a cold drink and sat down on the steps outside the train station and planned our route towards st. Mark's Square. Off we trot through the hoards of visitors, a great deal busier than the same time last year but hopefully the route we planned would divert us away from the main route towards the attractions.
The Clouds cleared away and it became quite warm again, we strolled through the tiny passage ways off the main drag, it looked like we were in the residential area of Venice, only stumbling across shops and cafes every now and then, as it was my birthday we said we would have a meal at lunchtime meaning we had to head back towards the main tourist routes. We found a busy route full off restaurants and cafes all competing for your business, so decided upon one such restaurant (because it had pizza for Rees) and took the weight off our feet. We all ended up having Pizza because it looked bloody lovely.
 |
| Top Of St. Marks Basilica |
Dinner finished, off we stroll to look for St. Mark's Square, we turned down the side of the restaurant and there it was, we were literally yards away and didn't realise. The amount of people there was astounding, you were bumping into people constantly and if you've visited here before you will know it's a large area. We made sure we kept our valuables close by as this is a pickpockets paradise. Took plenty of photo's, although Rees plays a game where he likes to walk in front of the camera just as you are about to shoot, it's a good job these days you can just delete a photo with one click. Then we came across a large queue of people, ah! the bell tower is open to go up (Last year it was closed down for building work), let's do it as it may be our last trip here we might not get another chance. The queue and 8 euro each charge for the lift was well worth it, the views were incredible.
 |
| Another View From The Bell Tower (Campanile) |
 |
| Sally & Rees In Front Of The Bridge Of Sighs |
Time was now against us and we had to get back to the train station for the 5pm Train. But We had on last attraction which we were unable to see last year due to building work and that was the Bridge of Sighs, it's just next to the square so not too far to walk. Thankfully this time up was in full view. The Name behind this bridge is that it was a link bridge between the two prisons, and inmates would cross it and see the amazing views across the water and give a sigh (or so i was told).
It was now time to make our way back to the train station, we would take the main tourist route back as this would lead us over the ' Rialto Bridge '
 |
| Rialto Bridge |
Back at the train station in plenty of time, our feet were killing but it was well worth it, Venice is one of those places you could never get bored of visiting, and it was a great birthday present.
Returned to the campsite just after 7pm, this was our last night at Lake Garda as we were leaving in the morning for pastures new. A great start to the holiday let's hope it carries on this way.
Guide To Venice
No comments:
Post a Comment