Venice, Italy

I never originally wanted to go to Venice.Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against it. Although, when I saw a round trip from the Lyon Airport to Venice Marco Polo for 50 Euros, I decided, what the heck, we only live once. So, off I went.

I lived in the A & O Hostels in Mestre, which is far away from the good parts. I paid 75 Euros for 4 nights. The hostel was not great. I had to take a bus to see the pretty parts. 

The Canals

There I was.. walking through the roads stretching through the canals. I fell in love. It was so beautiful.  I spent the entire day just getting lost in the little narrow lanes and looking at the striking but quaint views.

 

The Bidet

I had no idea. Italy has this little thing to wash your fun parts after you're done with your business. I used it once and decided I did not like it. You have to hover above it and do a little squat dance. No, thanks. I prefer our Indian jet sprays.

St Mark's Square and Basilica

The square features a lot of hustle bustle and people with cameras. The most wonderful thing, though is the Basicila. It is so pretty. It has really impressive paintings on it and a lot of parts are covered with a gold plating. It was a beautiful sunny day so this was a phenomenal place to spend the afternoon.

St Mark's Campanile

A bell tower, a really old one. I liked it. It has a nice rustic feeling to it. 

The tower houses five bells, each with its own unique purpose and sound. These bells have historically been used to mark the passage of time, signal events, and call citizens to worship.

The Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs served as a passage from the Doge's Palace to the adjacent prison, used to transport prisoners from the interrogation rooms in the palace to the prison cells. It was designed to maintain the separation of the judiciary and prison systems. Legend has it that the bridge earned its name because it offered condemned prisoners their last glimpse of Venice before being imprisoned, eliciting sighs of despair.

The Masks of Venice

All the souvenir shops hold these cool masks. I really thought this is a thing that stood out in Venice. Historically, Venetian masks were used to conceal the  wearer's identity and social status, allowing people to engage in activities such as gambling, illicit affairs, or political intrigue without fear of recognition. Masks also played a role in various theatrical performances and festivals, allowing actors to portray different characters.

Bacaro tour!

Here comes the most exciting part. Venice has a really cool legacy of something called "Bacaro". There are places that serve appetisers (AKA cicchetti) and wines at really affordable prices. These appetisers are really delicious. I had these for 4 euros with a glass of in-house red venetian wine.

I chose to have it all at one place but the real venetian tradition, as was told to me by a local is to go from shop to shop, building up and then easing ones appetite. This can last all day. I loved it. 

Sunset from the Rialto Bridge

Venice mainly has a part A and a part B and this bridge joins the 2 parts. On google maps, it shows the shortest routes which are usually through the canal. 

San Barnaba Church

It's a notable church primarily due to its appearance in the 1989 film "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," where it served as the exterior of the library where Indiana Jones discovers the location of the Holy Grail. Built in the 9th century, the church underwent several renovations over the centuries, resulting in its present appearance, which is predominantly in the Baroque style.

Scuola Grande di San Rocco

The Scuola Grande di San Rocco is a renowned confraternity building in Venice, Italy, located in the San Polo district. It is most famous for its extensive collection of paintings by a Venetian Renaissance master.

Basilica S.Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

The Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, commonly referred to as Frari, is one of the most significant churches in Venice, Italy. Located in the San Polo district, it is an outstanding example of Venetian Gothic architecture and houses numerous masterpieces of Venetian Renaissance art.

Saint Sebastian Church

This church is dedicated to Saint Sebastian, who is traditionally venerated as a protector against the plague. I found it to be charming and quite pleasant. 

 

Finally, the people!

I met some extraordinary people in Venice. Firstly, I met two cute assistants with whom I saw the narrowest street in Venice. Then, I met a local man who took me into the sculpting university and showed me his sculptures. Then, I was blessed to encounter another local with whom I had a 2 hour long conversation. I also met his friend, a beautiful soul!

Aditi's recommendations

• If you do not want to spend money on a boat- cross the Rialto bridge to get to the other side. It's a longer walk, but hey..its a walk in Venice!
• A one hour journey on the boats costs 9.40 Euros. Sometimes, you can slip into a short boat ride without a ticket. 
• Venice is expensive. Find a hostel with a kitchen. 
• Walk everywhere. 
• Live in the centre rather than Mestre, which is the commercial centre. Even if it costs more. 

Overall, Venice is a must-visit. I am very grateful to have been able to experience this place.

Until next time!