#3: One of the world's great wonders......Venice!

Lake Como was a hard place to leave but we must move on, Venice awaits us and once again we are left absolutely amazed in so many ways.

We caught the train from Lake Como back to Milan to transfer to another train for the 2 1/2-hour trek to Venice. I had pre-booked all of our train journeys prior to departing NZ so we just had to find the correct platform and be on time.... pretty easy I thought! Our tickets were in carriage number 2, so we went to the 2nd carriage, hopped on and found the correct seats for the four of us, stacked the luggage in the luggage area, and sat down to relax. About 3-4 minutes later a group approached and said we were in their seats, I was totally confused because their tickets showed carriage number 26, but they pointed out that this was carriage 26 and carriage number 2 was at the other end of the train! Luckily, we had a bit of time up our sleeve, so we collected all the luggage got off the train and walked all the way to the other end of the platform and relocated ourselves into the correct carriage.

I thought to myself that I wouldn't make that mistake again!

So, while I'm telling this story I'll skip ahead to our return train journey back to Milan. Having made the error above, this time we went straight up to the back of the train and sat down in what I thought was carriage number 2, (where I had the same seats booked). Well bugger me, it happened again but this time we didn't have time to get off and walk down the platform, so Jacqueline and I had to shuffle sideways through 20 carriages while the train was moving. I now realize that the carriage numbers stay the same but of course, the train pulls into the station and the back becomes the front, and vice versa!

That's just a little tip for anyone training around Europe! 😖😁

After getting over all of that and arriving in Venice, we had to get a water Taxi to our Air B'n'B. Luckily, I had the address written down because the language barrier was certainly an issue. I ended up calling our host who gave the water taxi driver the instructions on getting to the property. The place we had was excellent with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a large living area and all with very modern decor! Once we had settled in it was time to go for a walk around our "local" area to familiarize ourselves with our home for the next 3 days.

Because we had an apartment with full cooking facilities, we decided that a home-cooked meal was in order, so the first stop was a "supermercato" (Italian for supermarket!) where we stocked up on ingredients for dinners and breakfasts, as well as several bottles of very cheap vino! Actually, some very palatable bottles of red wine were as cheap as 1.5 euros and when I needed to use the public toilets it cost me 2 euros. In summery it is cheaper to drink than pee in Venice! 😁

The first thing that you think when walking around Venice is....... how the hell did they build this place??? Basically, it is 118 small Islands that are connected by 438 bridges, no roads, and no cars! We wandered through the maze of narrow streets and alleyways, crossing countless bridges and dodging the occasional group of enthusiastic tourists, all while marveling at the architecture that seemed to defy logic. The canals were full of gondolas gliding past, each with tourists wide-eyed and whispering in awe at the beauty of this surreal city floating on water.

Finding our way around was half the adventure. You think you’re headed one way, and suddenly you’re at a dead end or standing at the edge of a canal, with no obvious path forward except back the way you came. Google Maps? Useless. It seemed to lose its way as easily as we did, offering little guidance. But that was all part of Venice’s charm—getting lost, only to stumble upon a hidden piazza or a charming café with tables right on the water, where locals sipped Aperol spritzes like it was the most normal thing in the world. Somehow, we made it back to our apartment and a delicious home-cooked meal was prepared by Mary while the rest of us sampled many of the 1.5-euro bottles of vino! The next day is for exploring so it's best to have a reasonably clear head though!

We caught a water taxi around towards St. Mark’s Square, (as it appears every other tourist had done as well!) We had lunch in a bustling seaside cafe and made a plan to meet up at a certain time should we be split up. Traveling with 3 women means that sightseeing is actually shopping and there are all the up-market brands to be found in and around St Mark's Square. Before you knew it, it was getting dark, and it was time to sit down and relax with a pizza and a nice cold beer.

At night the city seemed to become even more vibrant and though the crowds had thinned out, the magic was still in full effect. There’s something enchanting about Venice after dark, the way the lights from the lanterns reflect off the canals and cast a shimmering glow. St. Mark’s Basilica looked otherworldly, its intricate details highlighted against the night sky. We stood there, just soaking it in. It’s hard not to feel a little humbled by the history and grandeur. It had been an invigorating day and Venice has not disappointed so far!

The next morning, I had one thing on my mind—Venetian coffee. The small cafés along the narrow streets were brimming with locals standing at the bar, drinking their espressos like shots. No lingering, just a quick jolt before they were back to their day. I followed suit, pretending to blend in like I knew what I was doing. Honestly, there’s nothing quite like that first sip of Italian coffee—it’s like tasting Venice itself, rich, bold, and a little mysterious.

The rest of the day we spent exploring the streets and markets closer to our apartment, I had long planned to purchase a leather overnight bag while here and I found plenty of options, I eventually made a decision on a beautiful tan leather bag that I still use to this day and I'm sure it will outlive me!

Of course, no visit to Venice would be complete without a gondola ride. I’ll admit, it’s one of the more touristy things to do, but how could you resist? Our gondolier navigated the narrow canals effortlessly, his deep voice echoing off the ancient buildings as he pointed out hidden gems and told stories of old Venice. We floated past grand palazzos, their faded facades telling tales of a bygone era, and under bridges that had witnessed centuries of history. It was like drifting through time.

Venice was more than just a place—it was an experience. Every corner revealed something new, and despite the occasional navigational mishap or language barrier, it was worth every moment.

Venice certainly has not disappointed us, and I would recommend visiting there at any opportunity you get. Like many things I've been able to see in my life, my mind wonders back a couple of thousand years in sheer bewilderment to try to comprehend how the hell they built these places. Magnificent churches, bridges, and basically all structures that are still standing today!

Next stop, Santa Margherita and the Amalfi Coast!