It's taken us years to get round to it but we finally made it to Venice. Believe it or not, this was the first time Mirek and I had flown together and the first time we'd been abroad together in 16 years.
We flew out on Monday 27th. Twice to be precise. On the first occasion we were about 30 mins into the flight when the captain announced there was a problem with depressurisation and that the plane would have to return to Gatwick. Luckily, they found us another plane quite quickly and we only lost about 3 hours of our 3 day trip.
We took a local bus to Venice-Mestre which is the modern mainland town associated with Venice. We'd read enough beforehand not to expect Mestre to be picturesque. But we'd also read enough to have high hopes of our hotel, the Golden Tulip Tritone. We weren't disappointed. 
Although the hotel was immediately opposite the railway station it was very quiet. The three of us shared one room which wasn't huge but very nicely decorated and very comfortable. We missed breakfast on the last day because we had to leave too early. Shame because the breakfasts were superb. Buses and trains left from just outside the hotel and took just a few minutes to get to the island of Venice. We had a travel pass for the buses but found the trains much more comfortable.
Although the hotel was immediately opposite the railway station it was very quiet. The three of us shared one room which wasn't huge but very nicely decorated and very comfortable. We missed breakfast on the last day because we had to leave too early. Shame because the breakfasts were superb. Buses and trains left from just outside the hotel and took just a few minutes to get to the island of Venice. We had a travel pass for the buses but found the trains much more comfortable. It was dark before we arrived on the island on Monday but Venice is just as enchanting in the dark. Sadly, we didn't quite get the hang of night time photography. I'd heard it was easy, recommended - compulsory, in fact, to get lost in Venice. To this end, I believe maps are deliberately misleading. We meandered through Venice looking for somewhere to eat and finally settled for Pizza in San Stefano. We then walked on until we got to Piazza San Marco where we took the vaporetto back to the train station.
On the Tuesday we couldn't believe we were met by sunshine. The weather forecast had been bad. We jumped on a vaporetto straight away and did the photo trip down the Grand Canal, getting off at Rialto to explore the shops and market. 
We then toted all our souvenirs round San Marco, taking more photos before going back to the waterfront for coffee and cake. To save our legs we jumped on a vaporetto then and visited the church of Il Redentore on the island of Giudecca before going back to the hotel to rest before dinner. Mirek had memorised the address of a restaurant we'd spotted earlier and we retraced our steps there in the evening. The plan after that was to make our way back to Rialto but we 
walked round in circles for ages and just when I thought we should be round the corner from Rialto bridge (according to that map!)we found ourselves on the edge of the Piazza San Marco again! We thought we'd make the best of it and jump on the vaporetto there but sadly, we couldn't get into the square itself because it was flooded and there was quite a gap between the raised walkways and the path we 
were on. Several people stripped down to bare feet and walked through but not us! We did an about turn and walked back across San Marco to get the vaporetto. It was probably the last one that night. But it didn't get us back in time for the last train and we had to wait half an hour for a late bus.
walked round in circles for ages and just when I thought we should be round the corner from Rialto bridge (according to that map!)we found ourselves on the edge of the Piazza San Marco again! We thought we'd make the best of it and jump on the vaporetto there but sadly, we couldn't get into the square itself because it was flooded and there was quite a gap between the raised walkways and the path we 
were on. Several people stripped down to bare feet and walked through but not us! We did an about turn and walked back across San Marco to get the vaporetto. It was probably the last one that night. But it didn't get us back in time for the last train and we had to wait half an hour for a late bus.
When we went back to San Marco in the morning to visit the basilica and the Doge's Palace the square was still flooded. 
It's a regular occurrence at high tide, apparently and they are well prepared for it. We used the walkways to get to the Campanile and went up to the top. The views were superb and well worth the ticket price. We followed it with a visit to the basilica where we went out onto the balcony and also saw the museum with the original bronze horses. 
Fantastic.
It's a regular occurrence at high tide, apparently and they are well prepared for it. We used the walkways to get to the Campanile and went up to the top. The views were superb and well worth the ticket price. We followed it with a visit to the basilica where we went out onto the balcony and also saw the museum with the original bronze horses. 
Fantastic. The Doge's palace was impressive too but I'd opted for the audio tour which was informative but hard work and I gave up about #31! I think there may have been parts we missed but I was losing the will to live. All in all the square was the most incredible place for photos. Having done all the sightseeing on our list we went back to the Rialto bridge for more souvenir/pressie 
shopping. We also found a lovely shop/workshop selling books and other items decorated with Italian marbled paper. After dinner we returned to the hotel for some creative luggage packing. Most of our presents (and 4 masks I'd bought for myself) were delicate and had to go in hand luggage. Luckily, I'm married to the most efficient packer in the world. If anyone can get a large square peg in a small round hole it is Mirek!
shopping. We also found a lovely shop/workshop selling books and other items decorated with Italian marbled paper. After dinner we returned to the hotel for some creative luggage packing. Most of our presents (and 4 masks I'd bought for myself) were delicate and had to go in hand luggage. Luckily, I'm married to the most efficient packer in the world. If anyone can get a large square peg in a small round hole it is Mirek!We hadn't wanted to come home on a 6.20am flight but by the time we booked, the alternatives were not affordable. So we set off at some ungodly hour for Marco Polo. I think everyone had been told, as we were, that the airport didn't open until 5.30am. So we had to queue so long to check in that we only just got through security in time to board.
This time the flight was uneventful and we arrived back in London in time for breakfast. One of the first jobs I did when I got home was to check prices for a return visit in the not-to-distant future. I think that says everything about how much we enjoyed the trip. Mirek and I took about 700 photos between us. You can see a small sample of mine here.
Since we came back everyone has asked us if we had a gondola ride. No, we didn't. We weren't too bothered and they were expensive. But next time we will.
