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As usual we were up early. While everyone was getting ready I went outside to the canal right beside our hotel. There were gondola’s workings on their boats close by. Next I went to the front desk and asked for a late check out. I was informed that they did not have a late check- out however we would bring our luggage to the front desk where they would be stored until we returned. There was a “free” continental breakfast which we had before heading out.
Venice was crowded. There were people everywhere. In the crowd I saw a familiar image, a Bob Marley t-shirt.
There were vendor stalls everywhere. We only had about 5 hours so we wanted to see the highlights. There were tours available in the shops nearby. We booked a 2 hour tour that including a gondola ride. By booking the tour we would by-pass many of the lines especially to get into the church called St. Mark's Basilica.
We met our tour guide near the church square (St Mark’s Square). We were touring with approximately 18 other people. There were 4 tour guides each speaking a different language. We were given headsets bases on our language. The tour guide took us into the church and told us about the history. We were not allowed to take photos. A few people were conspicuously taking photos. I did not want to take the chance and be singled out. Once we completed the church tour we were given a tour of the square and the told the history of the buildings around it. My wife and our youngest daughter had to take a bathroom break. The charges to use the bathroom in Venice were most expensive we encountered.
Next we were off to the gondola ride, the highlight of the visit to Venice. I am not sure how they were able to fit the 5 of us in the boat. The boat ride was just that “a boat ride”; without a guide it was an observation. The gondola just went about his business as we took pictures. It was amazing how much commerce took place on the water. There were men unloading stock from boats and people travelling around by boats. The architecture of the buildings was great. After the tour we went back to the hotel and picked up out bags.
We took the ferry back to the mainland. We had a lunch at a restaurant right by the water before heading to the train station.
We got to Rome in less than 4 hours. From the main station we took the metro train to a stop near the hotel. We were could not understand the signs. A nice Italian old lady came over. She spoke no English but looked at our Google map. She pointed us to the road where the Best Western hotel was. When we got to the hotel we asked for Paola who was mentioned in the reviews we saw on Trip Advisor. The room was small but the space was used in a very innovative way. There was a sky roof. The kids loved it. We bought pizza at a little shop nearby and ate in the hotel room.
Venice was crowded. There were people everywhere. In the crowd I saw a familiar image, a Bob Marley t-shirt.
There were vendor stalls everywhere. We only had about 5 hours so we wanted to see the highlights. There were tours available in the shops nearby. We booked a 2 hour tour that including a gondola ride. By booking the tour we would by-pass many of the lines especially to get into the church called St. Mark's Basilica.
We met our tour guide near the church square (St Mark’s Square). We were touring with approximately 18 other people. There were 4 tour guides each speaking a different language. We were given headsets bases on our language. The tour guide took us into the church and told us about the history. We were not allowed to take photos. A few people were conspicuously taking photos. I did not want to take the chance and be singled out. Once we completed the church tour we were given a tour of the square and the told the history of the buildings around it. My wife and our youngest daughter had to take a bathroom break. The charges to use the bathroom in Venice were most expensive we encountered.
Next we were off to the gondola ride, the highlight of the visit to Venice. I am not sure how they were able to fit the 5 of us in the boat. The boat ride was just that “a boat ride”; without a guide it was an observation. The gondola just went about his business as we took pictures. It was amazing how much commerce took place on the water. There were men unloading stock from boats and people travelling around by boats. The architecture of the buildings was great. After the tour we went back to the hotel and picked up out bags.
We took the ferry back to the mainland. We had a lunch at a restaurant right by the water before heading to the train station.
We got to Rome in less than 4 hours. From the main station we took the metro train to a stop near the hotel. We were could not understand the signs. A nice Italian old lady came over. She spoke no English but looked at our Google map. She pointed us to the road where the Best Western hotel was. When we got to the hotel we asked for Paola who was mentioned in the reviews we saw on Trip Advisor. The room was small but the space was used in a very innovative way. There was a sky roof. The kids loved it. We bought pizza at a little shop nearby and ate in the hotel room.
I do want to go return for another visit
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