Day Fourteen: Venice

This morning we really had to try to get to the bus on time or we’d miss the ferry to the city of Venice. Venice is made up of 118 islands and its buildings are held up by poles dug into the water’s base. It is quite literally, a floating city. We hopped on the ferry with the other Contiki bus and were off to Piazza San Marco. 

From there we were taken on a walking tour of Venice. We visited the opera house, Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo and Rialto bridge on the Grand Canal, all while walking from bridged island to island. Flooding 200 days a year, the Venetians have platforms in every street, ready for when they have to walk above the flooded roads.

 After the tour we went to a lace factory where we were shown all the different types of Venetian lace and the intricacy that goes into hand stitching every piece. No wonder there were some pricey tablecloths! Then it was off to an astounding glass blowing demonstration and into a Murano glass shop where they even make glasses that roll back into a standing position after you knock them over. Suitable for after 10pm as the demonstrator said!

We raced to grab a quick bite to eat in the jam packed day before heading off to our Gondola ride. Lee wasn’t too impressed with being on the water, and half our boat wasn’t too impressed with the wine which led to Ashleigh, Tiffany and I sharing two bottles between just the three of us. By the time we got off the Gondola we were a bit shaky in the legs, and not just from the boat ride.

From there we headed to lunch where we grabbed some pasta and pizza and Ash accidentally walked in on someone in the toilet. In all fairness, they hadn’t locked the door. Then Ash, Tiffany and I headed back to the Rialto Bridge while Justine, Amy and Lee did some shopping of their own. It was amazing just to follow the signs in the streets and half lose yourself in the maze of bridges and walkways that is Venice.

We met back in Piazza San Marco to head off to a Venetian dinner. After some antipasto we were treated to four different selections of pasta; risotto, carbonara, gnocchi and pesto. They were all delicious, but we were too full from having a late lunch to truly stuff ourselves. After some lemon sorbet for dessert, it was back onto the ferry that would take us away from the islands of Venice and back to the mainland.

It was a wonderful day. Although not particularly attractive to look at, Venice is amazing in the way it has designed itself over the water. We had some quick drinks and cake for Luke and Leisa’s birthdays, before it was time to pack our bags again for another bus day tomorrow.