Venice revisited

Our few days in Venice prior to boarding our cruise have been relaxing despite the city being wall to wall tourists. We arrived by local regional train that cost 4.10 Euros and that has been just about the cheapest thing since then!

It is our third trip and we have raved about the city in the past but there is a major in balance of tourists to locals. The youth has left the city and the population has fallen by a half over the last decade. We love Italy and the people have been wonderful but we have found the waiters rude and arrogant and the Gondoliers just as bad as ever! It remains a beautiful city but it seems to be spoilt by the hordes and the visiting cruise ships add significantly to this. We will slip away quietly tomorrow!

We spent most of the time walking and loved the quiet moments when you capture a deserted section of canal, a quiet alley or even a chance to take a photo without a thousand other tourists in the shot. We still managed to enjoy our visit but next time may spend a few extra days in Padua and less in Venice.

We visited several old palaces and this shot was taken from the Plazzo Michiel. No we did not meet up with local nobility but went to several art exhibitions. The palaces were more interesting than the art! The Grand Canal is very impressive  and often very busy.

One of the many side canals that you need to walk across. Wonderful day and night.

We lunched one day next to the Rialto bridge. Great location, good food and rude waiter.

A wonderful setting with good food, wine and even nice waiters. Our best dining in Venice at a quiet canal side restaurant covered by grapevines. We escaped the crowds.

We did walk up to St Marks square several times looking in thousands of shops on the way.It is an impressive sight both the square and the church. Well worth a visit or two.

We depart Venice on our cruise today so may not be as many posts over the next two weeks,  or as many photos depending on internet speed.