A day wandering around Venice! Tuesday October 15, 2014

We took the commuter bus to the commuter train to the waterbus from Ferrovia to Rialto in Venice today.  After the storms of yesterday the waters were high and not so stinky as they normally would be.  We had a guide, Elizabeth, lead us around the main areas of Venice by water bus and then on foot through the old market area, along and over the Rialto Bridge to San Marco Square, the quintessential spot we always see of Venice and it is as spectacular as it looks in pictures. 

Venice is one city I would go back to and stay in the immediate area.  Venice is so different and so lovely with NO CARS!!!  and just water transport or else on foot.  It is not steep or hilly and wonderfully built.  We visited into the evening and it was beautiful.  The only birds I saw of course were pigeons at San Marco Square and there were lots of them. 

There were crowds everywhere and we were fine with the press of people around and none of us had problems with pick pockets today.  We ate cannoli and gelato and lasagna and cold meats.  We pretty well had all day in Venice.

The buildings are very old and there are cafes everywhere.  The canals are full of boats and some of the group took gondola rides.  We thought we may try it but the waterbus was rough in spots and that was enough for me.  When you are down near the water, it is stinky and I knew I would not be able to do well on a gondola.  I told the girls to go ahead but none of them were keen to go. 

San Marco is an old church and the floor is shifting in areas and one wonders how long it will stand.  In twenty years, one wonders if Venice will still be the same.  It is built on a swampy area and many of the buildings need major repairs.

But it is a special city, and one of the best walking cities in my opinion, next to San Francisco.

We got back to the hotel after a supper by the Rialto bridge where there is a constant stream of people all of the time and the people just kept coming over the bridge.  A lovely day in Venice, sunny and warm. Truely one of the world's stunning cities!

Barb & Debbie