I have always yearned to visit Venice, the city that is sinking and often stinking, but which is unique – a sanctuary on a lagoon that is virtually unchanged for six hundred years and a monument to the glory days of the Renaissance. On a trip to Lake Bled in Slovenia in 2012 my husband and I were close enough to go there on a day trip – a long drive, but easier by a coach tour than trying to do it by public transport. We arrived at the coach and car park by 11 am and caught a public vaporetta across to Riva degli Schiavoni, just a few bridges away from Piazza San Marco where we were left to ‘do our own thing’.
Six hours to wander around this city was better than the 45 minutes we were given at the Taj Mahal, but it was not enough to try to see everything that Venice has to offer. It was also extremely hot and the queues in the square for the Basilica and the Doge’s Palace were long and we didn’t feel like wasting a couple of those hours baking in the sun.
We also knew that we didn’t have time to pop over to the colourful island of Burano or the glassworks on Murano, so we decided to do our usual thing and wander aimlessly around the city. Looking of course for interesting subjects to photograph.
The absence of cars makes this a pleasant experience, though all the walking and standing around can be quite tiring. It was also very crowded in the middle of summer, and difficult to negotiate the narrow streets and bridges. Randomly walking around the city can be fun and you can get away from the crowds if you move away from the main tourist attractions, though be warned, it is very easy to get lost!
Some major attractions are sign-posted such as “Rialto” and “San Marco” and even the railway and bus stations, so you should eventually find yourself somewhere you can get your bearings from.
By walking and getting lost you see some lovely and interesting architecture and urban landscapes and may even catch a glimpse into the lives of modern Venetians.
We followed signs to the Rialto bridge and stopped to take photos of the Grand Canal.
and crossed over to wander around the market area ‘Campo de la Pescaria’ – once the fish market but now the site of an open-air fruit and veg market open mornings only Monday to Saturday. The peppers here are amongst the largest I have ever seen!
Nearby is the Church of San Giacomo di Rialto with a large 15th century clock dating from 1401. Famous for not keeping accurate time it apparently hasn’t worked at all for years. The church is said to be the oldest in Venice.
Often finding ourselves in a dead-end we discovered little hidden courtyards, large squares, narrow canals and even narrower streets.
Fascinated by the architecture, crumbling rendered facades, the gondoliers, the churches around every corner and the little stores packed in every nook and crevice, we eventually found ourselves at the Arsenal of Venice (Arsenale di Venezia) a public shipyard that employed shipwrights and designers in a separate community.
The Arsenal’s main gate, the Porta Magna, was built in about 1460 and was the first Classical revival structure to be built in Venice. The gate is topped by the Lion of Saint Mark, the symbol of the Republic of Venice.
From there we found a delightful tree-lined road starting from the statue of Garibaldi in the Castello area and leading to a pleasant public park, Giardini della Biennale, known for its sculptures, where we were able to take the weight off our hot and tired feet for a while.
Time for us to head back to the meeting place for our ride back to Bled, up and over several bridges alongside the lagoon in the relentless heat. With time to spare we nipped down a back street to try to find some shade and discovered a tiny bar where we sat outside sipping an expensive, but well-deserved, ice-cold beer whilst watching the locals and tourists passing by.
You could of course spend weeks exploring Venice as it is a fascinating city. I am glad I had a few hours to see it for myself.
TRAVEL WORDS 
Never been to Venice in the heat but had a wonderful long weekend one Feb without the girls or dogs!!!! Cold but clear blue skies. Ski jackets and sun glasses – glorious!
I have heard that Feb is a good time to visit. Winter (without the rain) would suit me 🙂
Back to this rain is so unnecessary. I’m planning to rent a PS’s house for a moth every year (not even joking).
Never been to PS, but we have spent time in San Diego/San Fran during the winter months and enjoyed the sunshine! Have you considered Florida? I’d love to be able to spend Nov – Apr somewhere with guaranteed sunshine 😉
Phew, I’m impressed by just how much you covered in six hours! Venice is beautiful and I’ve been lucky enough to visit three times – all long weekend breaks – and we still get lost, we still find somewhere completely new and we still love it. Your pictures, as usual, are stunning,
Thank you Jenny. I think a long weekend break would be rather good.
I really enjoyed reading this post about Venice Jude. I visited it when I was 16 and it was very hot! I remember the glass blowing factory in particular. Hubbie and I hope to visit together one of these days…oh, the list just keeps getting longer and longer…Great photos as always.
Thank you Sherri. I’d love to visit again, for longer, and get over to Burano and Murano, when there are less people! I have abandoned my list – too many places, too little time. I will take what I can get now 🙂
Never been there , so envious once more Jude. I have a friend who is going next week, so I will send him the link. Great post, as always from you, and a good snapshot of a hurried, yet comprehensive visit to the city. He won’t get the weather next week, and hopefully less tourists, but he will get the flavour from your journey.
Regards as always, Pete. x
Cheers Pete. It is a city worth visiting, so if you get the chance…
Well Jude, you got a nice set of photos in your relatively short time in Venice. It was a nice little visit as I have never had the privilege of visiting Venice. Thanks for the tour.
Ron
Thank you Ron, I’m glad you enjoyed the trip 🙂
Me too! (the last comment- I’m always nosey 🙂 )
A tiny balcony is quite beautiful, Jude. My own first experience of Venice was not dissimilar. We were at Cattolica, many, many years ago, and the prospect of getting up at crack of dawn for a glimpse of the glory that was… It had to be done. We sailed in across the lagoon from Chioggia and I will never forget that sight.
Hehe, you’re welcome Jo. I’m always tagging along on your wanderings 🙂
I have only been to Venice once, I enjoyed it so much! Your lovely post and nice shots wants me to go back one day, Jude.
Greetings to you from Cambridge
Dina
Cambridge? What are you doing there? I thought you were still in the Lake District 🙂
Thanks for the comment Dina 🙂
No, all good things come to an end, 😉 I’m now slowly moving on towards the airport …
And now into bed, bums …
Good night, Jude! Sweet dreams. ♥
Good post – I have been to Venice 4 times and would gladly go another 4!
wonderful tribute to Venice!
thank you 🙂
Regarding the washing photo: I’ve been studying this for a few minutes. Assume I was at the other end of the street and allow for some redecoration. This is so close to my photo, we may well have been on the same street.
I think it is the same view – the pink house at the end of the street looks identical, same window, just at a slightly different angle. You
probablyhave better colour and lighting than me.