Venezia, Italia

Getting to and around Venice

From our hotel, we took a public bus to Piazzale Roma, the last point where buses are allowed. Piazzale Roma is also the same station to get back to the hotel but the bus stop to get off is a little farther. (Make sure to get off quickly as I was surprised when Pop wasn't there after I got off because the bus closed off on him. Poor pop!) There is no land transport within Venice (as far as I saw) so going around is by foot. Water transport includes water taxi, water bus/vaporetto or gondola. We weren't able to try any of the water transport because it was recommended to "get lost in Venice".

[caption id="attachment_1338" align="alignleft" width="481"] Venice bus tickets[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_956" align="aligncenter" width="213"] Bus stop nearest the hotel[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1339" align="aligncenter" width="699"] Gondola Transportation[/caption]

Lost in Venice

This time we didn't have a local guide but we were provided with a map. From the Venice Bus station (Piazza Roma), Gayle our tour guide accompanied us to Piazza San Marco where we dispersed to do whatever we want. One thing she advised is that getting lost is one of the things you do in Venice. I thought at first that she was just kidding, but that is actually true. Since I'm currently with a handicap, eventually getting behind and getting out of range from the group was inevitable. The route below you can see that there are a lot of twist, turns, bridges and alleyways on the way to our destination. Rule of thumb was to follow signs or markers to main piazzas which sometimes points to both direction, one leading to a longer route. All in all it should have been a fun walk except for the uncooperative foot.

[caption id="attachment_1014" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Street Map of Venice[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1350" align="aligncenter" width="323"] Possible Route[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_957" align="aligncenter" width="250"] Yellow signs[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1354" align="aligncenter" width="249"] Chiesa San Rocco[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_963" align="aligncenter" width="249"] 5 euro pizza/gelato/drink[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1357" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Venetian Masks[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1360" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Murano Glass[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1365" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Rialto Bridge[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_985" align="aligncenter" width="700"] St Marks Basilica[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1366" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Piazza San Marco[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1367" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Campanella[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1370" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Basilica San Giorgio Maggiore[/caption]

Since we weren't able to complete a group to share the expense for the gondola, we decided to climb the Campanile instead. The view was very much well worth it!

[caption id="attachment_1375" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Campanile[/caption]

After the Campanile, Popy rested on the Piazza while I went to do some postcard shopping. I also needed to go to the restroom but the fee for the WC is more expensive and required coins which I didn't have and the nearby shops where I can get change were already closed. My poor pantog! It caused me not to be able to concentrate on buying a decent postcard. So although we were not hungry from the 5 euro merienda, we were forced to get dinner so we could use the toilet. Another warning: we were charged for utensil fee when we didn't even use them. Tsk tsk!

[caption id="attachment_988" align="aligncenter" width="700"] One of the shopping streets[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1378" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Panini[/caption]

After dinner, we headed to the Piazzale Roma to take the public bus back to hotel and took pictures on the way which was longer than expected (about 3 hours!). Our feet were tired and we got lost as we ended up in another bus station/train station instead of the Piazzale Roma bus station. I guess it was ok as we saw some more landmarks along the way.

[caption id="attachment_993" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Rialto Bridge at night[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_994" align="aligncenter" width="702"] San Giacomo Dell'Orio[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_995" align="aligncenter" width="701"] Church of the Scalzi[/caption]








 

[caption id="attachment_1388" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Getting lost never has been this fun! :))[/caption]