Interrail throughout Italy

Milan - Padua - Verona - Venice - Florence - Saint Gimignano - Sienna - Pisa - Naples - Pompei - Amalfi Coast - Capri - Assisi - Rome - Tivoli - Monaco

Little information could be added about this extraordinary town located in the region of Veneto . The canals, the labyrinth narrow streets, Saint Mark's square and the Campanile, the gondolas, the palaces. I came with great hopes and I returned absolutely satisfied. Many people get disappointed due to two main reasons: the tourists and the smell. As for the tourists, do you expect to see one of the marvels around the world alone? You have to pay this price. Once you assume that, you will enjoy much more it. As for the smell there are some months that it stinks, but we hadn't got this problem (it was July). Try to avoid Venice in the late summer months, when the city is at its most humid.
We arrived from Padua by train. To reach the tourist Venice the train crosses a narrow strip in the middle of the sea leading to the main station in the old town.

We arrived from Padua by train. To reach the tourist Venice the train crosses a narrow strip in the middle of the sea leading to the main station in the old town.
109 islands constitute the city, in a small lake between the land and the open sea. The streets of Venice are called canals here, and actually are the constructed pathways, connected by bridges, between the original islands.
The city is threatened by sinking phenomena and there is a continuous battle against the sea. The sea level growths year by year and if the tides are high, many streets flood, such as Saint Mark's square.

It was one of the most prosper medieval towns across Europe and a splendid Renaissance metropolis, since it was the starting point for the maritime trade with Orient.
In the 16th century the town had mostly acquired its actual shape, so this little modification until now is part of its charm.
Due to the Turkish Empire expansion and the discovery and trade with America Venice began to decline until 1866, when it entered Italy. Since then it was reborn.

They are very famous the international films festival where the Gold Lions are given; and the carnival starting at the end of January. Perhaps it is the most famous festival world-wide, together with Rio de Janeiro .

We went straight to the centre of the Venetian life, Saint Mark's square , which is reached through narrow canals and streets . This big square is surrounded with ancient buildings that are unique because of their beauty. It is a pity that it is crammed with pigeons since the floor is covered in a substance that you may imagine. To enter the Basilica of Saint Mark we had to wait for a long but quick queue, so in 10 min. we were in. The basilica was built to keep the relics of Saint Mark that were "brought" (this is a common verb used in history to say stolen) from Alexandria in the year 829.

From 1063 to 1094 they reconstructed the temple imitating the model of the basilica of Saint Apostles in Constantinople . It has a Greek cross floor and 4 Byzantine domes surrounding a greater dome. Once you enter it is difficult to stay indifferent. You can both get amazed or you can find it too overdone. The numerous columns made in marble from many territories, the variety of golden mosaics from every époque, the styles mixture and the richness in decoration contribute to give a fantastic aspect, almost Oriental. The basilica still houses the rests of the evangelist (he was one of the four evangelists that wrote the New Testament of the Bible). On the facade you can admire the four Greek golden bronze horses, made around 4th and 3rd centuries B.C.

The emperor Constantine carried them to Constantinople from the Trajan Arch and they finally were "moved" (other verb very employed in history) to Venice in 1204, after the reconquest of Constantinople during the fourth crusade. Napoleon took them to Paris , and the French gave them back when the Austrians dominated the Veneto. Therefore these horses have travelled more that many people. The horses staying at the outside are copies of the originals kept in the interior.

When you go out to the terrace of the basilica, where the copy horses are exposed, you obtain a superb perspective . On one side we find Saint Mark's square. The buildings that surround were built in the 16th century. The fabulous high Campanile tower (a bell tower) is located on a corner. On the other side we have the "Piazzetta" , a small square that extends Saint Mark's square until the small lake.

At the left side of the Piazzetta we see the Ducal Palace, and on the right the ancient library from 16th century. In front of us there are two columns brought from Orient in 1180, and they are used as the pedestal for the Lion of Saint Mark (the evangelist uses to be represented with this animal) and Saint Theodore, standing up over a crocodile.

The bell tower was erected in 1912 according to the primitive monument (from 10th and 12th centuries) that collapsed in 1902. It is 93 m. high. Go to the top and contemplate the magnificent views over the square, the basilica, the Ducal Palace, the sea and the town.

The Ducal Palace (or Dukes Palace) is worth a visit. It was built in 814 and reconstructed in many occasions. The facades were completed from 1390 to 1450, in a Gothic style. The interesting spots are the Council Hall, the jail (that you reach through the Sighs Bridge), the yard, the Giants stairs (called like this due to the colossal statues that adorn it) and there are many works of Tintoretto and Veronese.

After so much knowledge and history we can walk and enjoy the environment, allowing the neurones to have a rest. Go to the edge of the Piazzeta to see the gondolas from close. Have a look to the poetic Bridge of the Sighs from the exterior, that links the Ducal Palace to the jail. This was the bridge that the prisoners walked through to enter the jail from the palace, and they sighed when they saw the sunlight for the last time.

As for a gondola trip, we didn't do it, as you can suppose that this is very expensive. However many people have this hope and they rent it. We saw people trying to bargain the price but they didn't get any reduction. There are other options apart from this to sail the canals, such as the taxi or the vaporetto. The vaporetto is a boat similar to a bus in a city. There are many that complete different routes among the canals. It is cheaper than the taxi.

Therefore we chose a vaporetto following our favourite itinerary and this way we enjoyed a tourist tour across the canals. The vaporetto went around Venice. One of the prettiest spots is the Great Canal . It is the main via of the town, flanked by dozens of Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque ancient buildings as well as residences belonging to ancient families. It divides Venice in two. We sailed under the most emblematic bridge of the city, Rialto , from 1592. This bridge was the primitive nucleus of the town.

After having dinner in an Italian restaurant and walking, we came back to sleep to Padua . In Venice we stayed for two days, although one is enough to see the important and most beautiful parts. We spent the second day walking through more hidden and less frequented lost streets, houses and palaces. It is a captivating city, wherever you are. We even visited the Museum of Modern Art in Saint Mark's square, although we are not very supporters of it. We didn't spend much time inside...
We didn't go to Murano , a well-known island because of the glass. It is possible to see the factory and they show you how they work the fine glass figures. I know people that went there and they liked it a lot.

It is very expensive to have a cup or a coffee at the terraces of Saint Mark, so I recommend you to do it only if you feel like it very much. The terraces are quite empty, but I guess that the owners earn more money with such prices.. There are some terraces with a live orchestra.
The streets are crammed with souvenir shops. The star typical products are the Murano's glass and the carnival masks. In the afternoon the streets are full of tourists shopping, walking or searching for a place to have dinner. At dusk we saw fewer people around Saint Mark, and the environment is very quiet. The people have left Venice after a daily excursion or they have gone to the hotels far from for the old centre, such as those in the land.
To conclude, if you have the opportunity to come to Venice during any season, don't hesitate. A friend of us went in winter, and he explained that he loved the mysterious Venice, covered in fog and free of tourists.