Day 25 – Venice, Italy

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Shopping doesn’t seem so much fun anymore when you have to carry everything around with you at ALL times. And an extra pair of hands is what we need baldy when our luggages outnumber us 2:1 lol. Nasaan si Yaya when you need her the most? ;P

Train is our mode of intercity transport around Italy and since we’re moving practically every day, it’s enough to deter us to buy a single thing for fear of having the need to open yet another bag. So ayan, Kap found a cure na for my shopping addiction hehe. Pagbuhatin lang pala ako ng pagkabigat-bigat na maleta, solb na! ;)) Kung alam lang nya siguro, sa Maynila palang pinagbuhat na ako ng 10 maleta wahaha!

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So thankful for the bag deposit service at the train station which we found out about while in transit. Namumrublema kami how to get our million & one luggages across the waters of Venice that God gave us a temporary albeit very useful solution through the ticket master who suggested this bright idea! Bag drop yaaay!

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Awang-awa na ako kay Kap sobra as he was carrying bags with no wheels. He sent 2 wheeled bags with Ate when she left & opted to use the 2 he packed without wheels.  For what stupid reason I really don’t know. Hong hirooop! Mega-flex ang muscles ng machong asawa ko. With matching hernia! 😛

Laking ginhawa si bag drop, kahit magbayad pa ok lang at this point. Pati si kubang kampanerang Kap hindi na nagrereklamo hehehe.

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And after the maleta issue, we were finally free to explore the beautiful, beautiful city of Venice! <3 Only half a day to explore, ano ba yan? Sobrang kulang ang panahon. But first, another delayed lunch! Hilong-talilong kami lagi sa gutom.

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No time to waste as we followed Ate’s itinerary for the day. These are the sights she wanted to see herself, and by golly.. by hook or by crook, we WILL see them so as to not disappoint her.

Rialto Bridge and Rialto Market. The Rialto Bridge is one of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. It is the oldest bridge across the canal, and was the dividing line for the districts of San Marco and San Polo.

The development and importance of the Rialto market on the eastern bank increased traffic on the floating bridge, so it was replaced in 1255 by a wooden bridge. This structure had two inclined ramps meeting at a movable central section, that could be raised to allow the passage of tall ships. The connection with the market eventually led to a change of name for the bridge.

The present stone bridge, a single span designed by Antonio da Ponte, was finally completed in 1591. It is similar to the wooden bridge it succeeded. Two inclined ramps lead up to a central portico. On either side of the portico, the covered ramps carry rows of shops.

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Basilica San Marco (St Mark’s Basilica) is the main church of Venice. It is the most famous of the many churches of Venice and one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture in the world. Located just off the Grand Canal, the gleaming basilica overlooks the Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) and adjoins the Doge’s Palace. San Marco is a cathedral, but has not always been so: it was the Doge’s chapel until it became the seat of the Archbishop of Venice in 1807.

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The Doge’s Palace is a gothic palace in Venice, northern Italy. The palace was the home of the Doge of Venice, the ruler of the Republic of Venice. In 1923 the palace became a museum, one of 11 museums run by the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia.

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Day trip to Burano (using Vaporetto)

Another of the lagoons famous islands, Burano is an island in the Venetian Lagoon, northern Italy. Burano, is known best for its charming canal-lined fisherman’s homes, each painted as brightly as the Venetian sky, and with an atmosphere that is intrinsically unique.

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Rode the gondola to end our wonderful day in Venice. A gondola is flat and made of wood. It’s 11 meters long, weighs 600 kg and is hand built in special workshops called squeri of which there are still a few today. Gondolas are seen in festival parades and in regate or rowing competitions.

Most people recommend taking a gondola ride on the quiet, back canals rather than on the crowded Grand Canal. If you want to ride on the Grand Canal, a vaporetto (water taxi) is much less costly (but where is the romance in that, right?). Riding on canals outside the main tourist area lets you see a different view of Venice and there won’t be bumper to bumper gondalas.

Choose a gondola stop in the area you want to visit. If you want back canals, walk a few blocks off the main street (and away from San Marco) to look for a gondolier. CLICK HERE to see map and information that can help you choose what neighborhood you want to explore.

A gondola is like a luxury car. Although black is the official color, many are ornately decorated and have comfortable seats and blankets. You can stroll around and look for one that suits your fancy.

Gondola Ride (80 euros, 45 minutes)..

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Capped our long day with a dinner by the sea. Hindi lang halata coz we were fronting it, lol. Pizza & Pasta dinner al fresco before heading for to a much needed snooze.

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Tomorrow is another day. Balik hakot na naman kami ng katakot-takot na maleta. Chika uli tayo sa susunod. :-*

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