Last time we were in Venice was on our honeymoon, over 20 years ago. I thought it nice at the time but preferred Florence. It is wonderful to be back and this time we love the city. Where else can you get off a plane, then travel to you apartment by boat? We are staying in the Cannaregio. This is the northernmost area of the city and it has a very "local" feel to it. Yes there are areas thick with tourists, but turn a corner and the crowds just melt away.
Our apartment is on the Canal di Cannaregio. It seems to be a main route into the city. Everything is shipped in and out by boat. There are lots of water buses, boats with cargo, boats to pick up the rubbish. Today we saw a mail boat, funeral boat and one which was an ambulance.
For a place with no roads, you do a great deal of walking. We did one of my favourite things to do in a new city, the local free walking tour. This lasted almost 3 hours and took us around the Cannaregio, and across the Grand Canal to San Polo and Santa Croche. We haven't even made it as far as St Marc's yet! One of the problems crossing the Grand Canal is that there are not that many bridges. No problem, use a gondola. €2 for a 30 second hair raising ride. Well worth it!.
No comments:
Post a Comment