We had to haul our luggage over the cobblestone lane ways in the heat of the day over many bridges which crossed the canals which meant up and down before we reached our apartment in a back lane of Venice.
Upon arrival we found out that we were on the first floor, but it was the top floor via forty nine steps!!! There was however, a tiny lift but our contact put the fear of god in us with his insistent instructions not to touch the sides or it would jam! We managed to get the large cases up and lugged the smaller ones up to the top ourselves.
The apartment was as it appeared in the photos on the Internet but the third bedroom was up in the attic via a very tall and narrow staircase. The roof was low and you had to bend to move around, BUT, it did have an air conditioner. The main room had a table, chairs, kitchenette, fold out sofa and an air conditioner. There were two additional bedrooms, one with and one without an air conditioner and two well appointed bathrooms.
We set of for a walk to get our bearings and ended up close to the Rialto bridge and decided to have a well earned beer/wine and dinner. The waiters here are like the ones in Lygon Street touting for business. If you even look at the menu they almost have you sitting at their table with a glass of wine in your hand before you can blink!
Dinner first night in Venice.
As usual Julie was taking the photo!
Our days in Venice were spent exploring the lanes, shops, churches, piazzas and trying to keep cool. The temperature, as in most parts of Europe was in the thirties with little relief either day or night. The air conditioners in the apartment were working overtime and each time we put on an appliance they would break the circuit.....sounds familiar doesn't it!
Exploring the lanes.
Getting goods from the boats to the shops and avoiding the tourists!!!
Tony shopping! And boy did he do some shopping!!
Queuing in the midday sun to visit St Mark's.
Yes, 12 noon!
We came across the markets and could not believe the fabulous produce which was available. Everything was bigger, brighter and fresher than we thought possible. We decided that as it was so hot that we would not do any cooking, so took lots of photos instead!
The amazing fish - Venice market
Octopus - mouth watering!
Fresh fruit and berries looking for a platter!
Our best surprise was just a couple for lanes away from our apartment where we had one of the best meals, at a local restaurant and pizzeria. Unfortunately we found it on our last night in Venice and had not made a booking. We managed to get a table in this very funky but stylish restaurant but had to be out by 9:30 which was not a problem as we we're leaving early the next morning. Certainly a recommendation to share with fellow travellers.
Dinner at our favourite - Muro Venezia Frari, in San Polo, Venice.
No visit is complete without an iconic Goldola ride - but unfortunately no serenading!
With Julie....
And Joan and John.
Leaving our apartment........
After the boys did a "recki" it was decided that it would be easier to walk to the station to catch our next train. "It's only four bridges, two large and two small" it will be fine! We contacted a porter who offered to take all our baggage for €80 which we thought was reasonable but unfortunately he turned up after we left!!!
Luckily we set off early in the morning but our walk saw us all perspiring just after the first bridge, only three to go!!!! By the time we got to the station and more steps we were totally exhausted and we're grateful to just sit down and rest for the next couple of hours until our train journey to Milan.
We said goodbye to Carmel and Frank who headed for the bus going to the airport and their flight to the UK.
And then there were five....
Sorry, we seem to have got the blog slightly out of order here. We saw Venice before we got to Milan! The perils of blogging and being just a wee bit tired at the end of seven incredible weeks!
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