The ship sailed into Venice around midday, into the canals and lots of small boats everywhere. We had the good fortune of spending a whole 24 hours here, great. Just sailing past the city was magical. We could see St. Mark's square a little and we were eager to disembark. We met up with Roy and Marg, our personal tour guides for the day. How lucky were we!! No waffle here just interesting stuff. Walking over the Bridge of Sigh towards St. Mark's square was a surreal moment. People galore and pigeons... St. Mark's square is huge, with beautiful buildings surrounding it, lots of restaurants, however now they actually charge to sit down on a chair at any restaurant.... a sign of the times I guess. We walked all over this amazing place, quaint shops line narrow alley ways. It was very hot and the local beer went down a treat, more than one I will say. The mode of transport here is the vaporetto, a bus on the water. I wouldn't mind being held up in water traffic as the scenery is beautiful. There is so much to look at that you really need 1 week here.... on our bucket list. After several hours wandering round the streets we headed back to the Mother ship for dinner and shower... ready for round 2 at night!!
Princess gave us "free" water shuttle, but charged us $15 each, mmm strange. Anyway it was unlimited, so we headed off for our evening in Venice. It was still extremely hot and humid, so more beer. Venice at night is spectacular, St. Mark's square is lit up and the restaurants have quartets...playing The Sound of Music. We walked to the the Rialto Bridge, soaking up the atmosphere. The shops were still open even at 11.30 p.m., people eating and drinking, such a different world. We got a little lost, well just couldn't see to read the map,(it is dark and not a lot of lighting) but found our way back to the square. Had a little dance in St. Mark's, well shuffle more like but we can say we have danced in St. Mark's square. Our plan all along was to have the Gondola ride, however it was a very interesting scenario for us. Firstly, the gondola jam at every corner, the gondola's following nose to tail was a bit off putting, didn't see any romance here. Even more than that was the couldn't give a shit look on the gondoliers faces as they drove past. We didn't see one smile on any of the passengers faces. So we ditched this plan, both agreed it wasn't for us. Good to see and some people loved it and raved about it. Each to their own. I have to add...it was fantastic doing our own thing here and not in a tour. The queues were horrendous to get into St. Mark's Basilica. To see sheep. oops sorry people following a sign made us grateful we were not one of them. We caught the last shuttle at around midnight, absolutely exhausted but thrilled at the same time.Next morning, somehow we were refreshed and on the 8.30 a.m. shuttle, to do more browsing. We only spent a 3 hours, beautiful things but pricey. We had the best ice cream we have ever tasted, melon with real pieces... delicious and in Venice, yippee.
