Venice – Island of Dreams

Italy Tour – Sat 9th July 2016 – Sightseeing around Venice
Weather: 24⁰C min – 29⁰C max, hot and sunny

Town Photos
 

“Get a bicycle. You will certainly not regret it, if you live” ~ Mark Twain

The sun was shining and it was already getting quite hot when I set out by foot to Piazza San Marco, marvelling at the unique architecture in this special city as I walked through narrow lanes and over those quaint humped bridges.

Public ferries are the best way to travel in Venice, so yesterday I purchased a two-day Tourist Card (for €30) that allows unlimited travel on the ACTV ferries. Rather than walk 2 Km back to my B&B, I decided to activate my Tourist Card by catching the Linea 2 Grand Canal ferry from San Marco Giardinetti to Piazzale Roma.

Having activated my card I decided to take full advantage of it by doing some island hopping. My first island was Lido, which should have been named Bike Island because all the cycling starved Venetians seem to go there to get their fix. Being such a scenic island it appeals to tourists too.

My next stopover was the wee island of Burano located in the same lagoon as Venice. If you’re in need of an emotional boost, just take a trip to this chipper town decorated in colours that pop and fizzle in a way that makes it feel almost tropical. The houses on Burano obviously follow a special colour pattern, dating to the island’s golden age when it was first becoming developed. If you live on Burano and wish to paint your house, you must send a letter to the government, and they’ll reply telling you which colours you’re allowed to paint your lot. Legend says that the island’s fishermen were the first to paint their houses in bright colours, so they could see them while they were out fishing. Lacemaking is another one of little Burano’s big highlights. The women of the island have been experts at lace since the 1400s, when Leonardo da Vinci himself visited to shop for cloth that he used on the altar at the Duomo di Milano. Nowadays, lace stores and ice cream shops and artisan kiosks clutter Burano’s narrow streets.

From Burano I caught another ACTV ferry to the similarly named island of Murano, an island in the Venetian Lagoon where glass has been made for more than 700 years. Glass making in Murano came about because in 1291 the Venetian Republic ordered glassmakers to move their foundries from Venice to Murano because the glassworks represented a fire danger in Venice, whose buildings were mostly wooden at the time.

My last ferry returned me to Piazzale Roma where I started from, passing along the incredible Grand Canal. There is so much to see in Venice I am glad I am staying here for four days, particularly as the forecast for the next three days is for 30 degrees and clear blue skies. Venice is mad but I love it!

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3 Responses

  1. Melveta Ellwood says:

    One can see why no cycles and bikes are not allowed in Venice ( I guess not enough room to move). With a lot of tourist and water in the middle I would hate to fall in. The houses are rather pretty.
    The end of your epic journey, enjoy the weather while you can as today unlike yesterday not sure what is expected in London as it is pretty overcast today. Why am I surprise!!. Have yet another touring on foot today.

  2. Melveta Ellwood says:

    Oh! forgot to say you ought to be a Tour Guide that is your next job after retirement! You would be good at it I am sure!!

  3. Yeah – this city is incredible . On my trip the number one.
    Despite the many tourists (one is itself a tourist) you can feel the very special atmosphere.
    Once again beautiful pictures, Kevin.

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