2days – Venice
Venice / Venezia : Everybody who does any travel should see it – obviously!
However it’s not a place we would come and visit a second time. It’s not our kind of enjoyment, as we really do not enjoy too many people and big crowds. And it goes without saying – Venice is one of those places that attracts large crowds and many of these in large groups.
We did all the usual tourist bits one must do – a trip in a Gondula, Waterbus from the Railway station to the Piazza S. Marco and later a round tour including the island of Murano (famous for it’s glass). We did our walks through the narrow streets – window shopping, visited the local markets at Rialto and of course (one of the main reasons Jim wanted to come here) visited “Harry’s Bar”. The last could only be achieved on the second day as we (actually Jacqui was told) were not allowed in the establishment in our shorts – Jim & Hans that was. So on the second day we had our long pants on and were allowed in to order their expensive drinks. Cost: 42 EUR (=~AU$ 67) for one cup of coffee and 2 “bellinis” (small glasses of sparkling italian wine with a dash of fruit juice) which this place is “famous” for. We were not the only ‘suckers’ – it seems they don’t have to do much else and as to standard of dress – well as long as men have long pants on it doesn’t matter about anything else ….. they quite happy to take anybody’s money.
But this establishment steeped in history isn’t the only one robbin’ you of your Euros. A trip taking 15 minutes from S.Marco to the Railway Station along the Grand Canal (3 people) sets you back 90 EUR. The cheapest cup of coffee I bought in Venice was 4.50EUR in a small backstreet cafe in Rialto
- BUT we had a great time and it was well worth the once of visit.
PS – You are not allowed to feed the pigeons – but there is a special photographer who will take your money for a picture with you feeding the pigeons on S.Marco Square.