Daniel Craig runs through the
streets of Venice in Casino Royale.
Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp prance around town and cruise the canals in The Tourist. So no surprise I was
expecting an equally glamorous stay in Venice.
Not to be sleeping in a tent.
Which we were, by the way.
Due to our issues with the
soccer and Champion’s League, we had to cut our stay short to only one night.
One night in a tent. We’ve done dodgy hostels, come on we can do this.
So the three of us piled into
our tent, fitted only with one light, one power point, a bunk bed and one
single bed. It was cosy to say the least, but it was a bed. And it was cheap,
only €11
each for the night.
It was also clear we had
sacrificed location for cost, as we were situated a 10 minute walk and then 20
minute bus ride out of town.
By the time we got into the
city we were busting to take a gondola ride through the canals. Our Busabout
guide, James, suggested we pick a gondola from one of the smaller canals rather
than from the main square, for a cheaper ride for budgeting travellers. He also
suggested we go during meal times to avoid waiting.
Ciao bella
The general rate for a gondola
ride during the day is €80 and €100 at night. We found a cute gondola
captain, Alex, who we negotiated to €90 (€30 each) for the ride.
Perfecto.
This was my second gondola
ride, but it was so luxurious and relaxing. Alex serenaded us and told us of
his family and the local history.
Ready to roll, or float
When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie that's amore
Their back doors open up onto water
During the ride the three of
us were so happy. Melbourne was sleeping and we were cruising the Venetian
canals. We even fantasised about being proposed to on a gondola ride (close,
but no Trevi Fountain: take note fellas).
Livi is unimpressed with Ash's lack of diamonds
No cars, just boats
My Corolla would not be welcome here
High on life we sat down for a
traditional Italian pizza and a glass of wine, before setting off in search of
San Marco Square, the main piazza in Venice.
Pizza and wine, buon appetito!
Venice can be notoriously
tricky to navigate, so meeting up with friends who had already been in the city
a few nights; we expected them to be able to find their way. Yeah right, they
got us to the square, but couldn’t get us back to the bus stop to get home.
Have we been here before? It all looks the same! Yes, we are lost
Finally we've found you. The Duomo
After wandering around, getting
lost, eating gelati, getting more lost, it was time to ask for directions.
I know enough Italian to
string together a sentence and get my point across. So it was fun to ask a nice
old man for directions to the bus stop, and actually understand his response.
So we were saved and back on
our way to our tent. Great, I forgot about the tent.
Although we only had one night
in Venice we got to do most things we wanted. Last time I was in Venice I also
visited the Doge’s Palace, climbed the bell tower and took a day trip to the
islands of Murano and Burano – activities to consider if time permits.
And sleeping in the tent wasn’t
that bad, until the early hours of
the morning when trucks started driving down the highway next to our fabric
walls.
Camping pro, Nikki
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