Day 4 - Venice, a city like no other
From Desenzano to Venice
We still have another night to spend in Desenzano but from
today it won't be used as a central point. The reason I decided to stay is
to minimize the amount of hotel transfers (And hotels in Venice cost quite
the fortune).
From Desenzano we took the train to Venice (yet again the "Milan-Venice"
rail). The ride takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Venice
Venice almost won our peak of the trip award ( yet Cotrina
won) - What I'm trying to say is that it's not a city to miss. I know some
people that said Venice is too hot and that it stinks but I didn't notice
any of this but even if it was Venice is a city like no other - literally.
Once exiting the train station I fell into a state of shock. They all talk
about Venice, as city of canals and most of us take it for granted. But
seeing an enormous canal that besides its bank stands a whole street of
building each one unique and spectacular simply put me in a state of shock.
It isn't a sight you see everyday and I suggest to enjoy the first glance of
Venice.
First glance on Venice.
Venice is a busy city and you'll notice many markets with
Venetian products (Mainly masks). I suggest to stop by few stalls and check
out the different masks.
The city is expansive even in Euro terms and unless money is no trouble you
should come with food from Verona.
In general it is possible to walk from site to site by foot, the canals will
only hinder you until you find a closely bridge but still distances are a
bit long and sailing the canal is a great experience anyway.
The famous Gondola is a very expansive and relatively short trip so unless
you are not short of money you should take the Veparto. The Veparto is the
equivalent of a bus - a long crowded ship, and they reach most if not all
interest points in Venice.
Entering the city you will be half a minute close to the "Stazione Santa
Lucia" Veparto station. Line number one is sailing lengthwise the main canal
("Canale Grande"). There are a lot of important building you can see while
sailing the main canal and it's worth to say that each building has its own
unique look and there isn't one building which isn't spectacular on his own
way.
On a bridge that observes over the Canale Grande
Piazza San Marco
Your first destination should be Piazza San Marco which is incidentally the second place that shocked me ( and I promise it will be the last time of today). I visited considerable amount of countries in Europe but I've never seen a plaza with 4-5 amazing building so close to each other. It is hard to grasp it until you are there but it feels like being surrounded by gold (Sadly, not that I had the pleasure).
San Marco Plaza. Surrounded by masterpieces.
San Marco plaza is also the place where pigeons gather and
plot to take over the world. Dafna and I took advantage of the situation and
fed some of the little beasts which jumped on us in the speed of lighting.
Most of the day was centered on this Plaza. Basilica di San Marco is
attraction number one -a breathtaking structure inside and outside. Go to
the top floor (even though it costs extra) for a good observation over the
plaza.
Another attraction is the Doges Palace - The palace of unending corridors.
You can probably spend there hours over hours if you don't cut it somewhere
and eventually it starts to be a bit repetitive. But it is still a beautiful
structure and holds rich Venetian architecture and art.
Another thing that you won't miss is a stunning big blue clock on one of the
building.
Last attraction is a bells tower called Campanile - A newborn very tall
structure. Using the elevator you reach the top floor and aside from bone
chilling winds there is an amazing observation over the city. I just hope
the bells won't ring for you when you're up because they most certainly
don't have any mercy on human ears.
A little art
I'm not an art fan but since Dafna was so close to these
great art centers I had to come along. Today we only managed to reach Peggy
Guggenheim's collection.
Peggi is an American woman that discovered many art talents and gathered
modern art pieces of the greatest of artists. Her late years she spend in
Venice and left for us her vast collection. It's hard for me to say anything
amazing about art but Dafna enjoyed and that is all that matters.
Back to Desenzano
From Peggi back with a Veparto through the Great Canale and from there a train to Desenzano.
Day Summary
I'll summarize Venice in day 5 but in general I can say that it would be a waste to miss any of the attractions of this day.