Walking in Venice

Walking in Venice is a pleasure.  On our first night we decided to go out and look for somewhere to eat.  This proved to be an adventure as rounding each corner brought a new vista and enticing new alleyways to explore and bridges to cross.

As we walked, we were surrounded by tourists snapping priceless photo opportunities and tuxedo clad waiters who were trying to attract us into their tiny restaurants.  The season hadn’t reached its height yet, so the tourists were bearable and for us the weather was perfect – just a little chill in the air to remind us the winter had just left.

As we looked, a little of the life of ordinary venetians started to reveal itself.  A dance troupe appeared from nowhere and started folk dancing in the street.  Following them to a square (Campo), we found a bevy of old ladies all knitting in what was a demonstration of traditional handicraft. 

Further on we found an army of people all wearing white and green T-Shirts.  Apparently there was a non-competitive marathon on which attracted teams of participants including many school children.  It was a little chaotic watching the green and white shirts navigating their way through the crowds of tourists.

The sounds of Venice are unique, there are no car, truck or tram sounds.  Water lapping, motorboats and voices are the predominate sounds.  Every now and then you hear a ‘Gondola, Gondola’ chant go up as the Gondoliers try to drum up business.  In the end we succumb to their entreats and negotiated a 1 hour ride for 100 Euro.  It was fantastic! We were taken off the Grand Canal into the private backwaters of the city and saw much more than you can see walking.  The expert way in which really long boats can turn 90 degree corners was an amazing experience and we never once touched another boat or building.  Our Gondolier  - Gabriel, gave us a great commentary as we went and pointed out historic and everyday sights to our delight.

By nightfall we found ourselves at the Rialto Bridge and grabbed a table at the nearby Florida restaurant where we could watch both the bridge and the Vaporetto (ferry busses) packed with people going home.

Venice is famed for its seafood (surprise) and so after a very nice seafood feast we caught the Vaporetto back to the hotel palace so we could crash – and that was just day 1.

Hotel Western Europa & Regina

You know hotels in Europe are like a lucky dip you never know what you are going to get.  But our hotel in Venice was everything you’d expect an old world hotel to be. 

As we arrived both the driver and the guide complemented us on where we were staying and they were quick to point out the benefits including the view across the Grand Canal and the proximity to St Marks Square.

But we braced ourselves because chances are we had a back room overlooking the lane, perhaps the bed was lumpy or the shower leaked (let me count the ways things could go wrong).

Stepping off the boat we walked straight into the foyer which was beautifully ornate with mirrors, chandeliers, marble floors and columns and sculptures and artworks throughout.  But what of the room?

No the gods were definitely smiling on us.  We had a canal view room with two balconies.  The view from the room was priceless and despite being right on the canal the room was surprisingly quiet.  The king sized bed looked small in the 4m high room which was fully furnished with period furniture.  The bathroom was fully marble with ornate lighting and central heating and cooling.

As it was our 35th wedding anniversary, the hotel had left us a chocolate mouse cake in the room on the first night and we found champagne with two glasses on the second night.  We loved staying in Venice.

 

Limo ride in Venice

When you arrive in a new city you inevitably have to run the gauntlet of driving from the airport to your hotel.  You know, you lug your bags to the taxi rank, jostle to the head of the queue, pile in and then watch as the driver navigates through unfamiliar streets and somehow pops up in front of your hotel.  We were looking forward to Venice because the agent had organized a limo, so no fighting for a cab.

When we landed at Marco Polo airport there was Alex waiting with our name scrawled incorrectly on his white board.  Off we went following Alex along the walkway right past the taxi rank and down to the water’s edge.  

We had to wait a time as our flight arrived late.  So Alex shouted us a coffee as we had no Euro.  Then up pulled our private ride, a highly polished wooden motor launch just like those used in the old movies in the 50s. 

Sitting is our plush upholstered seats we enjoyed our own guided tour of Venice complete with commentary from Alex as we were ferried to the hotel.  We traveled up through the quiet back canals, passing small squares, under quaint footbridges and finally on to our magnificent hotel Europa on the Grand Canal – a fantastic and breathtaking introduction to Venice.

Don’t be a Souk

Souk is the name for the traditional markets of which there are many in Dubai’s old city. 

Although a bit shabby looking, bargains are to be had as long as you haggle till you drop.

The Big Bus Tour ticket gives you 24 hours of on and off touring around Dubai City and the beaches to the north.  It has a great commentary and takes you to all the major attractions in the city including the Souks, museums, landmarks and shopping centers.

What people didn’t tell us when we bought the ticket, was that Friday is the holy day of the week for Muslims and that most Souks as well as all the attractions are closed till late afternoon. 

The Souks and shopping centers stay open till midnight but the Big Bus stops running after 5:30pm??  Anyway the train is very good and although a bit squashy at peak times, it is very cheap.  Taxis’ are also very common and very reasonably priced (cheap really) when those shopping legs get sore.

Shop till your dead

Oh my god! Shopping in Dubai is outrageous.  No tax means cheap prices and the shopping malls are huge.  We got a couple done but hey we only had four days. 

To give you an example the Mall of Dubai (attached to the Burj Khalifa), is the equivalent of 50 soccer fields in area.  Built on four levels it boasts all the brand name shops and department stores from all over the world. 

It has more coffee shops, food outlets and restaurants than I could count.  It has a HUGE aquarium complete with sharks, rays and fish feeding divers.  It has its own waterfall, over 4 stories high, a full sized indoor ice-skating rink and a half size soccer field for the kids.  Oh did I mention the cinema complex?

In the middle of all this is the indoor gold Souk.  

Jo-Ann loved this shopping centre we spent an entire day there and got only 2 and a half floors done.  I just made it out alive.