Venice - A glorious day

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Venice Train Station is large and daily moves thousands of commuters into the city to work in the restaurants, hotels and other service industries. Jackie and I waited until all the commuters passed by and then slowly made our way to the exit. Upon exiting the station Jackie promptly lost it and cried uncontrollably. Jackie was just happy to be in one of the most beautiful cities in the world with Tony. What else could it be?

OK. Let me set the record straight. The sight of Venice has made millions cry before Jackie ever shed a tear. This is truly a place to be included in everyone's bucket list. Venice has a history dating back to Roman times and was a power centre of trade and commerce for over 500 years so, one would expect the most incredible buildings and architecture.

Venice has over 400 bridges and it is not easy to move over the bridges with a suitcase. We decided to stay at Santa Croce area near the train and bus terminals. Once Jackie composed herself we walked across the front of the Train station, over the newest bridge in Venice, through the bus park and there staring us in the face was Best Western Hotel Olimpia. Andrea and Roberto were very professional and friendly. Jackie spoke Italian and they were both impressed. We were booked into a small suite and looked out over the secluded courtyard where we took breakfast. As the journey continues Jackie is speaking in more phrases and entire sentences. Wow!

Venice is not the most expensive Italian city but, may be very expensive if you only go to tourist type places. Day one we walked in the Santa Croce area and found Bacareto Da Lele, a small corner deli/wine counter. Local porters and delivery men flock there starting at 10:00 and have a small panini - 0.90 euro and a glass of wine or prosecco - 0.6 to 0.90 euro. Fresh and satisfying. Fabio saw us twice a day for three days and we gave him a Canada flag pin and a bottle of Ice Wine - he was so appreciative he insisted twice on not charging us.

Fabio is a great ambassador for Venice. At his place we met Betty and Paul from Oregon and convinced them to have a glass of prosecco. We also met some young retailers from the cruise ship Voyager of the Seas. Jenn from Mississauga was a fun loving Canuck. Her ship mates were equally nice and fun loving. it was very easy to meet people in Venice.

Piazza San Marco was not as nice as I remember. Many buildings were undergoing renovations and they cover the scaffolding with huge advertisements. Now the pigeons number a thousand rather than a hundred-thousand. I am not sure where they all went. For a week day the crowds were enormous - the enormous number of cruise passengers make the city forever busy. Basilica San Marco had a thousand lined up. Jackie had a revelation. Being religious types we went to a side entrance and asked the guard if we might go in and pray. "Of course", was his reply and in we went. YOU must attend prayer service then, you may go and wander the church. San Marco is an ancient church built in the Byzantine style with much ornamentation, one large cupola and a number of smaller cupola.

The Peggy Guggenheim museum of modern art is a wonder. The Accademia is also well known but, I like the one in Firenza where the "David" may be found. Other than Rome, Venice may have the most ornate exteriors of any churches anywhere in Italy. Venice always has exhibits, festivals and activities for all tastes. Get the water bus (Actv) pass for the length of your stay. It offers unlimited travel and auto bus to the mainland - great if you drive a car to Venice and park it in Mestre. There is a card for museums and water bus if you want to do many museums.

Venice was over two days of exploration and fun. See you next on the way to Treviso and Arina.

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Photos

Grand Canal at Train Station
Jackie cannot believe she is in Venice!

Relax at Olimpia Hotel
Fantastic garden in Venice for our enjoyment at Olimpia Hotel.

San Marco by Boat
Take the Actv bus ticket for a great view of Venice.

Fabio at Bacareto da Lele
Fabio with his new Canadian friends - a great ambassador.

Rialto
First day of Autumn on the Rialto