Venice at Last

I’m a little behind on the blogs, but I just felt like adding that while I’m telling the story of my amazing time in Venice, I am currently sitting in the sun on the Croatia coast listening to the sea organ in Zadar. Don’t worry, that story will come. I just felt the need to include this moment in the post I am writing now. The movement of the waves causes music, mostly a deep crooning, to come from all around. It’s beautiful. 

But now I want to tell you all about Venice. This has been a bucket list city all my life. I was worried for a long time I would never get the chance due to higher tides causing so much damage. Italy has however finally finished building a massive system of bollards that can be raised to protect from flood tides. 

I opted to stay on the mainland near the Mestre train station. It was ridiculously cheaper and with my rail pass only 10min a to get into Venice proper. 

The first morning was thrilling. I felt just pure joy that I was here. I paid for a day pass on the boat-bus system and started with a cruise down the Grand Canal.  

Venice is just perfect. I am a water soul after all!! I disembarked at St Mark’s Square first and had a look around. Though I decided that I needed to do boat journeys first as the next day I would explore more on foot. I walked to the north side of the islands to catch a boat to Murano. Along the way I passed the hospital emergency entrance which had the ambulance boats parked out front. For a quick minute I thought this would be an amazing place to work!!! Then I remembered the narrow windiness and the stairs. There are lots of random ups and downs over the canals!!

Dismissing that thought- and the fact I don’t speak Italian anyways- I caught a boat to Murano. It’s another small cluster of islands where the glassworkers were isolated. Initially placed there due to fire risk, it was quickly realized it was a great spot to isolate the glassworkers to help protect the secrets that made Venetian glass so prized for centuries.  Having no way to pack the glasswares really helped keep me from buying anything!! It’s beautiful work. 

I skipped Burano as I had little interest in the lace making, though I hear there are some beautiful buildings there too. And on the ride back to Venice proper we stopped at the cemetery island so I hopped off for a quick look around. It is a beautiful and peaceful place. 

After circling the outside lagoons, I had lunch by Rialto Bridge, and rode back to St Marks for another look around. As the sun was setting I took one last ride down the Grand Canal. Before leaving Venice I had a last drink on a roof top bar near the train station- I was scouting the area for my mom who will actually be staying in that hotel about a week after I go!

The next day I stayed on foot. Aiming roughly into the heart of Venice I wandered where ever looked interesting. Crossing little bridges and canals, watching gondoliers row down narrow canals. Looking at old buildings and beautiful views. I made it over Rialto Bridge and back to St Mark’s Square. Further along to the east is a large park that was nice to sit under the trees. 

It was interesting to see, a large university in Venice was holding its convocation in St Marks Square (how amazing is that!!) and tradition is that graduates are given a crown of laurels. There were lots of people all over Venice all day wearing their wreaths which was super cool. Though it was absolutely packed in Venice with all the family and friends here to celebrate. 

My final day in Venice I actually took the train for a day trip to Verona. Such a pretty little city.  Verona is famous for its setting in multiple Shakespeare plays, obviously including Romeo and Juliet. I did swing by the museum dedicated to the play, which includes the addition of a 20th century balcony that you can pay to stand on and get your picture taken. They also say it’s good luck to rub the statue of Juliet in the garden. 

After a quick peak I went back to exploring real history, a cool castle and the gorgeous Roman Coliseum. It’s complete and well preserved and now the site of operas. Annoyingly they were dismantling a stage and seating in the centre while I was there. But it was still amazing to climb up the seats and to walk through the corridors. 

I also hopped on another train to go a short way to Lake Garda, which is supposed to be just beautiful with the alps all along the shore. I say supposed because it was very hazy when I was there. Still, it was a very cute little town called Desenzano and I had a lovely dinner there before taking the train back to the hostel. 

So that was it for northern Italy, it was an absolute dream come true to go to Venice. And I really will come back one day and spend more time dreaming along the canals.  For now though I’m headed to Croatia and more beautiful coastlines.