Yes, they do actually say this in these parts, I heard it at full pitch as the rain fell tonight as we returned to the train station after a fabulous day in Venice. You might be forgiven for also hearing a similar refrain from our lovely house in Treviso when the news filtered through that said rain/storm had brought trees down and cancelled tomorrows parkrun.
Today was our Venice day and it really didn't disappoint. It was one of those places that I felt I knew from growing up in the 1980s. Yes, there was the Walls ice cream adverts, but actually it was some of the speed boat/gondola scenes from a James Bond movie that made it feel so familiar. That was what I thought as I reflected on the train down from Treviso, having parked near the station on our hosts recommendation, and then dodging the first thunder storm of the day on the way to the station.
Reading the Lonely Planet Guide as we waited for our train I learnt a few things about our destination, but mainly about James Bond. 4 movies were apparently based there, even with the help of google I'm struggling with the 4th (unless Casino Royale counts twice?), with Moonraker and From Russia with Love also featuring. Add to that the movie with that little red imp running around, Don't Look Now and I had pretty much got my bearings before we arrived! The Griswolds did their little fashion bit in Milan, Bryn bought a couple of T shirts, does that count?
The history of this city also appealing, the debauchery and cosmopolitan nature of its past must have filtered into my psyche somewhere such was my natural affinity :) It really was the Las Vegas of its day, with pretty liberal goings on even a few hundred years ago, and the eyes of Rome sternly frowning from afar.
We enjoyed the brief train ride down, almost getting off on the mainland station, in fact getting off, as everyone else seemed to be doing, and then getting straight back on when realising the error of our ways.
We then meandered through the streets and waterways of Venice, and loved almost every minute. It felt like one of those mazes at times, where you had to go back on yourself to find a way round to where you actually wanted to be. People were lovely, so many offering us free stuff, as inexpensive and friendly a place as you can find. Faith assured in our European cousins intentions, positive attitude all important. See Boris, 2 can play at the be positive game.
The crowds built throughout the day, but always able to get through, enjoy our bridge stops and find the odd ice cream or fruity drink as I uncovered more and more of the history of this fascinating city. Casanova's association drew me in, especially finding out he was a spy for just about every government, but perhaps a little bit of the James Bond influence there too. Biggest fact of the day was that when the worlds most renowned lover decided to hang up his tools, his chosen profession to see out his days? Librarian.
Our central activity was of course the gondola ride. No cornettos or singing, but just 30 mins of getting the water perspective of this great city. Both relaxing and a mesmerising, seeing the water lapping to the basements of buildings, people busying themselves in the kitchens nearer the lower levels of buildings, the lower view of Venice if you like, and a finishing cross of the Grand Canal with all its hustle and bustle.
We walked eventually to St Marks Square, saw the basilica, and the town hall/jail where Casanova made one of his great escapes. We then took a Lonely Planet walking tour where I pointed out lots of churches, the most interesting one having lots of maps of territories that once belonged to the Venetian kingdom - Corfu, Heraklion and Split all featuring as part of this territory in the dim and distant past. Arbitary national lines eh? You couldn't make them up.
Having done the best part of 10k walking today pleased to get back on the train just as another storm hit. Pretty much had been perfect weather from the moment we arrived in Venice. Car journey back to our lovely little abode all good, and happy to spend the rest of the night in this fabulous inspiring space, inspiration perhaps now needed as we find a creative solution to needing a different parkrun tomorrow.
Beautiful surrounds to soak up, food to finish off, beer to drink and having blown the daily budget on a once in a lifetime gondola ride, happy to keep things homely and sensible with yet another early start in the morning.
-Carys-
A busy, busy, busy day in the beautiful city of Venice today.
We woke up just after 8am, and realised it was raining. Raining! In Italy! After the heat we had yesterday? Mum even said she saw chunks of ice/rain drop out of the sky. It started to thunder and lightning as well. It wasn't like it was cold or anything - the air still felt very warm, it's just the rain was coming down heavy.
We ate some things from the fridge - I had a bit of pizza from last night which probably wasn't the healthiest of choices but tasted good, so it doesn't matter. It didn't take long to drive to the train station but we got a bit soaked on the walk from the car to the station. The thunder got pretty loud too.
Luckily, the rain had cleared up by the time we got on the train, and 30 minutes later, in Venice, we came out of the station to see blue, clear skies. Mum and I had a pastry each in a little shop, whilst Dad and Bryn had a panini. I wasn't to keen, it was quite dry and the cream was a bit hard but it was a Italian pastry called cannoli Venezia.
The city was beautiful, just as expected. The buildings were old and interesting, with the canal winding between the narrow streets. We wandered past shops, eateries and old-fashioned houses, soaking up all the pretty details of the ancient town.
It was cool to see places where some of our favourite tv films and shows had been filmed, like an episode of Doctor Who and some James Bond movies. The streets often had the same sort of design, and looked quite similar so we got lost on a few occasions, but soon found our way again.
I was super excited to have a Gondola boat ride along the canal. The boat was really pretty, with intricate designs - we had to jump a bit to get in, but we managed. It was so relaxing to sit in the boat with the sun - not too hot on our faces - smiling down as we enjoyed the sights of Venice.
After a long day of exploring, we began to walk back to the train station. Grey clouds appeared, and opened, just as we reached the station steps. Perfect timing. The weather had been kind for our day out in Venice. Soon enough we were back home in Treviso, with lots of photos to remind us of the memorable day we've had.
Glad you enjoyed Venice - one of my favourite cities even if it difficult at times to avoid being ripped off as a tourist. Lonely Planet guide is very helpful.
ReplyDeleteI found they were giving so many freebies in the shops - chocolate, juices, chutneys and truffles .. so more of us taking than them!! I hear the coffee is pretty expensive around St Marks square, but away from that everything seemed very reasonable. I am pretty tight mind :)
DeleteSo pleased that you all enjoyed Venice & it was not too busy. xx
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