Nov 18 & 19 2019
Italy Trip - Day 7
"Venice" - A dream destination to every travel freaks. Europe is always a favorite destination of many traveler and Venice being a must or a unique part of it.
Myself have visited Venice earlier also during 2011 when i was deputed to Milan,Italy for an year of project assignment. It's more than a dream for me to revisit my earlier solo experience of touring the major Italy destinations again after 8 years with my loved ones- my sweet heart and 1 year kid.
With a hectic schedule and an unpredictable weather time of the year (November being the off season),and Venice saw a 50 years all time flood/high tide situation, we finally reached Venice in the evening time with lot of speculations.This was our last destination of our Italy itinerary and we don't want it to be messed out.
Day - 1(Evening)
Reaching Venezia Santa Lucia
Starting from Cinque Terre & with train break journeys at Parma & Bologna we finally reached Venice station - Venezia Santa Lucia.While we stepped out of the station early evening we saw no water flooding was there near the station base for which we was very curious till now. The entire place was still wet, some places still having small water pockets and board pavements were deployed in lines for the tourists to make way to the specific places. We bought some reused water boots from local sellers then enquired about the tickets and our hotspot hotel destination in San Marco about the water level in there while we had some quick snacks from Burger King in the opposite side of the canal
With a 8$ one way ticket to San Marco i helped myself with my hearts and luggages into the water buses. It takes around 35 to 40 mins to reach there. Most of it was dark and with water at border line of the sidepaths with submerged buildings. To our surprise on reaching San Marco we were amazed to see no water in there but totally wet. seems the water just drained down a while ago.We got off the water bus carefully handling my baby's stroller. Here also lot of pavements are available but since all water moved out we walked down normally mostly except using those for the water pockets.We reached our hotel @Antico Panada after crossing the San Marco square which was almost empty at this point.
Hotel Check-in and Evening Hop
Our hotel was just 2 mins from the San Marco square. It mainly comprises the Saint Mark's Bascilla , the Campanile, Doge's Palace & the shopping galleries. We checked in hotel which was pretty smooth, got a descent nicely decorated room. Though had almost 5 to 6 hours of train journey which was not that hectic and also with the excitement we were having about the place, after having some rest and getting refreshed, without wasting much time we came out for the San Marco Square.
It's a different experience getting he square so empty . We had some good time and photo-shots. My sweetheart was really thrilled to believe she is in there and no water for which 80% of her excitement was already over before we reached.
Completed the night with a nice dinner in a hotel nearby restaurant after roaming around the streets which was less crowdy.
Day - 2 (Full Day)
Saint Mark Square,Saint Peter's Bascilla, Campanile & Doge's Palace
Started the day early around 9:30 am after having a nice heavy breakfast in hotel. Not sure if we will get enough lunch time to spare so better to have tummy filled early morning.Also often we had to wait on for our little one for his food, refreshment etc. It always need some time management when you are in a hectic schedule that too with an infant who takes 90% of your priorities and preference.The day was to our surprise a nice bright sunny one.We revisited the Saint Marco Square again and took some good 2 hours or so exploring the square and around.
Initially we had pre booked tickets for a half day hop on hop off boat trip to Murano,Burano & Toricelli islands but due to the unpredictable flood situation i cancelled a day prior while in Cinque Terre. Seeing the weather turning out to be good we again went in to a nearby kiosk to get the tickets again.
Rialto Bridge
It was from 2:30 pm to around 6:30 pm. We had couple of activities still pending - one was to visit till Rialto Bridge & a much awaited Gondola ride but we were running out of time while we booked the island trips. Was having around 2 hours so decided to cover the Rialto bridge and come back for the island trip. Postponed the Gondola ride to the last day before leaving back for the airport depending on weather conditions
So we headed off towards the Rialto Bridge by walking through the lovely Venice streets.Our little one was sometime sleeping and sometime happy to roam around the view the peoples around. Often we need to cross the canal stairs. Had to cross 3 to 4 such canals from San Marco to Rialto. Its our first family travel experience that too with baby in a early winter time so stroller was too much stuffed with my kid's stuffs and also some shopping items. So while any canal side stair bridges appears we had to pick that up everytime, sometimes we got helping hand/offers from ongoing tourists also.But it was manageable.
We reached Rialto shortly.It was special an unique, a wide bridge with canal view both sides and lot of souvenir shops. Me and my sweetheart took turns to visit it as our baby was still sleeping and the bridge was high enough to take the stroller up. Unfortunately we are running out of time for our island trips as we were asked to be present 10 mins before the trip starts.
Murano/Burano/Torcello Island boat trip
While we reached in a hurry almost running at certain points the lady in the kiosk said we are quite late and must run 4 blocks from there to the harbour side to catch the cruise ship. I t will be leaving within 5 mins.
We have to run the entire 4 blocks behind the Doge palace little bridge (or “ponti” as they call it in Venice) consisting of stair steps. My wife moved first to make them hold & I was following up with the stroller. My baby who was sleeping till now awakened and started laughing due to the running vibration and the stair climbing. It became little difficult for me as the flat pavements services for wheel chair or stroller assistance were closed and i have to pick up the same as required.
Anyways finally we reached to the boat and met our guide. The boat was quite empty with less people turning out at the last moments. We prefer to stay with our own and have our own moments instead of following the guide group.
Murano Island
After around 45/50 minutes we reached the first Island Murano - the land having a glass factory and glass item shops.Since i had prior experience of the workshop for glass making and also my wife seen similar workshop in Corning,NY we skipped the 20 minute workshop display.We visited and roamed nearby and had some good photo shoots in the land surrounded by a nice water world.
Next we had a walk around the glass souvenir shop and left the island for Burano after around 45 mins stay.
Burano Island
Within another 20/25 mins we reached Burano island.Another 45 minutes were given to us for a visit to the island which is kept so colorful. The entire island is unique for its lovely colored and beautifully designed houses with a canal in between the town. Its more of a studio type managed village to give a sense of a real active village. It's a paradise for colorful jaw breaking photography also. We strolled around the island within the specified timings. After some nice time and photography we walked back to the boat. It was like a small tinsel town beautifully kept with designed houses and some small shops and restaurants in the market area.
Torcello Island
Another 10 to 15 mins in the water ride we reached Torcello island. Being in November month it started to get dark after 4:30 pm.Once we reached Torcello the lights were already on as it went dark
. There was a good 20/25 minutes walk to reach the site where the main attraction was - "Byzantine mosaics in the seventh-century Cathedral of Santa Maria Dell'Assunta ". It was quite dark finally to take any snaps or further exploring the place.So we didn't wait much there any more and started to return back for the boat.The 20 to 25 minutes walk in between was quite nice beside a running canal and crossing few old buildings, parks etc.
Next we boarded back to the boat and reached San Marco Harbor within an hour.
Rest of the evening and night
While we stepped down the boat it was drizzling lightly. Initially we thought since next day we have to check out and prepare for travel to airport, we could get the Gondola ride in the evening only if possible. But due to the rain we have to drop the idea. Meanwhile we got very hungry also.Last night we had some good Italian cuisine , so today we thought to have something familiar to our Asian cusine. During the day we observed a Halal shop near to our hotel while going to Rialto. We went there to pickup some onion chicken pizza and chicken drumsticks. Since was too hungry to have anything but the quality was not that good. This was the only time we had a below ordinary food. Actually later while we were packing the food, the guy in the shop who was a Bangladeshi and understood our language told that due to the floods the entire shop was flooded and all equipment and refrigerators along with stock mostly got wasted. So he managed something from whatever leftovers he was having.
Anyways as the drizzle increased we stepped back into the hotel.
Since we had still some good time in our hands and hotel was in a prime spot we got ourselves refreshed, had our dinner and after some rest visited nearby souvenir shops by walk using umbrella's. The drizzle was still on.Hopped on few of the souvenir shops for some mementos of the trip and came back for the day.Ended the day with the negative feel that we may not have our Gondola ride due to rains :-(
Day 3 (Morning)
Gondola Ride and Off to Airport
Final day morning, so obviously little tensed as we have to get back, Our flight was around 3 pm in the afternoon and we had already booked tickets for Airport, so was good on that point.
After having again a stuffed breakfast we got ourselves ready for checkout which was usually around 11 am.Meanwhile outside it was still drizzling and good enough not to move around outside.For an hour we waited out of expectation for weather turning to be good atleast if the rain stops for a while. In between i tried checking out nearest canal points where Gondoliers were servicing last day, but they all seem to be away.After waiting till around 10 am the drizzle some how lightened enough to move around.Leaving venice without a Gondola Ride would mean a chunk of activity un accomplished right ? Now the drizzle was very light and it seemed weather is slowly clearing up as the day progresses.
As we decided took my baby in the lap with all gears to prevent him from rain and went off towards the main Gondola Stands near the Doge Palace. We were the only persons near there as many Gondoliers were chit chatting and awaiting riders. As we were thinking what to do one of them approached us and confirmed they are okay to ride in this light drizzle.
We got overjoyed and slowly and carefully boarded finally one of the Gondola. Initially we started off as a lone tourist into the canal as the drizzle was still there. My baby feeling the pinching drizzle at times was enjoying as well as going crazy by it.But the overall experience was very nice as the drizzle finally stopped at the last minutes. It was around 30 minute ride into the Grand canal in between the towns. While returning back to the stand we saw few more tourists also trying out like us.
Tips to note:
For any decision understand the situation and decide after reviews or discussing with peoples who operate there like the inquiry stations, hotel managers, local shop owners
Keep enough time in hand if you are with a kid not to hurry or panic for any activity. Nevertheless you want to miss out something due to improper time management
Specifically for Venice even if you have travel cards keep enough backup cash in hand. We faced some issue as all ATM's were empty and out of cash due to flood situation. We finally got an ATM working in Murano which helped us encashing Euros.
Try local Italian foods which has abundant supply and expected to be fresh than trying your own regional food.Our experience was not good for a Indian type Chicken pizza.
End of the day, don't get disheartened if something doesn't go as planned.
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