We awoke to overcast skies and persistent rain for our bus trip from Vienna into Venice. The rain tumbled down as we passed through some of the most beautiful scenery for the whole tour ... except because of low cloud and rain we couldn't see it! We did manage a quick glimpse of the scenery from time to time through the clouds. This photo (above left) gives you an idea of just how high up this road must have been, remember it was four lines of freeway!
We arrived at the entry to Venice (The Freedom Bridge) in the afternoon just as the clouds were just beginning to lift. This bridge was built by Mussolini and is the 'only' road traffic way to Venice (photo above). There are no cars at all in Venice itself. Most people live on islands all around Venice and vehicles are permitted on these islands. Our hotel was on the island of Lido so we had a board a ferry to get over to it. The ferry trip took about 30 minutes before we arrived at Lido and were taken to our hotel (below).
Venice was no where near as big as I thought it was going to be. Everything in the city is dependent on water transport. The bus service was actually various ferries which continually worked their way across the waters separating Venice from the surrounding islands. Nearly everyone lived 'off' Venice so they needed to travel to and from their homes to work each day!
After an evening meal at a local restaurant on Lido we boarded a couple of water taxis to take us across for a stroll around the magnificent city of Venice. The smaller vessel seen in the middle of the photo to the left was the sort of boat we used to get to and from the city that evening. Almost the first thing we saw was upon our arrival in the city was the Bridge Of Sighs (below). Prisoners used this bridge to move between the Doge's Palace and the prison where most of them would spend the rest of their lives. It was from this enclosed bridge many of them would get their last look at beautiful Venice thus a sigh a despair would often be heard.
We also saw the Grand Canal here to the left and the Rialto Bridge below. The Grand Canal is the one and only major canal in Venice. All other canals would be about 5 or 6 metres wide (at the most) and would only permit small boats to use them. After our quick look we sat in the yellow chairs (at the foot of this post) to listen to a band play some classical music as we enjoyed a glass of wine. Fortunately at 17 Euros a glass (about AUD$30) we were all glad the drink was 'included' in our trip charges!
We again boarded the water taxis to be ferried back to Lido, our hotel and a night's rest before being set free to explore Venice in daylight the next day!
We awoke to overcast skies and persistent rain for our bus trip from Vienna into Venice. The rain tumbled down as we passed through some of the most beautiful scenery for the whole tour ... except because of low cloud and rain we couldn't see it! We did manage a quick glimpse of the scenery from time to time through the clouds. This photo (above left) gives you an idea of just how high up this road must have been, remember it was four lines of freeway!
We arrived at the entry to Venice (The Freedom Bridge) in the afternoon just as the clouds were just beginning to lift. This bridge was built by Mussolini and is the 'only' road traffic way to Venice (photo above). There are no cars at all in Venice itself. Most people live on islands all around Venice and vehicles are permitted on these islands. Our hotel was on the island of Lido so we had a board a ferry to get over to it. The ferry trip took about 30 minutes before we arrived at Lido and were taken to our hotel (below).
Venice was no where near as big as I thought it was going to be. Everything in the city is dependent on water transport. The bus service was actually various ferries which continually worked their way across the waters separating Venice from the surrounding islands. Nearly everyone lived 'off' Venice so they needed to travel to and from their homes to work each day!
After an evening meal at a local restaurant on Lido we boarded a couple of water taxis to take us across for a stroll around the magnificent city of Venice. The smaller vessel seen in the middle of the photo to the left was the sort of boat we used to get to and from the city that evening. Almost the first thing we saw was upon our arrival in the city was the Bridge Of Sighs (below). Prisoners used this bridge to move between the Doge's Palace and the prison where most of them would spend the rest of their lives. It was from this enclosed bridge many of them would get their last look at beautiful Venice thus a sigh a despair would often be heard.
We also saw the Grand Canal here to the left and the Rialto Bridge below. The Grand Canal is the one and only major canal in Venice. All other canals would be about 5 or 6 metres wide (at the most) and would only permit small boats to use them. After our quick look we sat in the yellow chairs (at the foot of this post) to listen to a band play some classical music as we enjoyed a glass of wine. Fortunately at 17 Euros a glass (about AUD$30) we were all glad the drink was 'included' in our trip charges!
We again boarded the water taxis to be ferried back to Lido, our hotel and a night's rest before being set free to explore Venice in daylight the next day!
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