TRAVELLING BACHS |
Author: Beth Venice is unlike anywhere else I have ever been. It is a unique, but expensive city. Yes your € can go further in some parts of Spain, and I have even heard that other parts of Italy are cheaper, but, Venice IS worth it. Surrounded by water, it is a beautiful place, and refreshing to not see one motor vehicle on the streets. We landed in Venice in mid-June (before we knew just how hot Wales would be all summer!) If you go and it's due to be hot, pack: suncream, after sun, sunglasses, a hat, a parasol - anything to keep you shaded from the strong sun. We took the water bus 'Ailaguana' from the airport into Venice, as a friend told me to arrive that way and "It's like being in a Bond film!" She was right, it is a pretty cool to start a holiday. The water bus cost around €15 one way and took 35 minutes. Water taxis will cost a bit more, and of course, trains are an option, but they take an hour or just under. Getting Around It is so easy to get lost in this city. You can spend the whole day wondering around the side streets, crossing many, many bridges, and finding that you have walked miles. After walking a gruelling 9.3 miles on our first day in 28/29 degree heat (!!) we had a look at the fares for the ACTV water buses. Daily tickets and single on way rides aren't cheap but a 2 day pass costs €30, and trust me, it is worth it. There are so many routes and you will find water stops all over, close to wherever you want to go, and you can hop on and off as many times as you want for 24 hours. The boats are often packed full of people, and unless you are quick to get a seat, you will have to stand. Where to eat? Vino Vero is a place I recommend for wine and tapas lovers (pics below) Situated on a quieter part of the riverbank, it's a great spot to relax in the sun, or shade over delicious and reasonably priced food called Venezian tapas. But get there early, doors opened at 6, and there are few tables by the canal. Ostaria Antico Dolo - a narrow cafe/bar we found by chance. Near the Rialto bridge, this is great spot for a light lunch or for a glass of wine. Despite it being so close to one of the biggest tourist attractions in Venice, the prices aren't bad at all. Order their house wine, red or white, both are worth a sip. I tried a tuna pizza at Dodo Cafe and drank Aperol spritz by the river. Another great find by the canal. The street in Cannaregio was packed most night, full of tourists or students, drinking at the bars, and is far enough away from the centre, if you'd like a change of scenery. Small cosy coffee bars can be found on almost every street corner, and the espresso is cheap and strong. Torrefazione Cannaregio is a stand-up coffee bar in Cannaregio, where you can start your day right with a 90 cents espresso shot. What we did As beautiful as this city is, it is one of the most expensive European destinations I have ever been to. You can budget for your break of course, but be prepared to spend €30-50 for a meal (starter and meal with drink). Visiting the main tourist attractions will set you back by quite a bit, but how often do you find yourself in Venice? St Mark's Square is a big, grand area, full of tourists, day and night, just taking it all in. It's particularly great in the evenings when restaurants welcome orchestras and bands, and music is all around you - a rather romantic atmosphere. They say the view from the clock/bell tower in St Mark's square is great, but if you'd like a 360 panorama version, head to the T Fondaco Dei Tedeschi A shopping mall full of expensive bags, purse and shoes at first glance, but head to the top floor, and you will find a queue of people waiting to see Venice from above (pics below) The views of the city are fantastic, and it's free! We were fortunate to stumble across this and queued for less than 5 minute, as only a limited number of people are allowed on the rooftop at a time. On our final full day in Venice, we stayed on the water bus a little longer and headed to Lido de Venezia. A friend, who has visited Venice many times, suggested we hit the beach to escape the city buzz.
To our surprise, the streets on the lido were littered with cars, vans and bikes, and the city looked so far away, despite it being a 10 minute boat trip. I understand that beach days aren't for everyone, especially if you've planned a city break - but for us, it was a refreshing way to spend an afternoon, and a dip in the sea was more than welcome.
1 Comment
Fran
4/8/2018 08:12:28
Great review, Beth!
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