In front of St Mark's Basilica in St Mark's Square, Venice.
On Saturday we headed into Venice for A's and my third time (first visit for the boys). This time we headed across on the bus (easier and cheaper than the water bus we'd used on our previous visits in 2006 and 2008).
We had no firm plans for the day, except that A wanted to finally have a gondola ride (we'd previously resisted because of the price, but A put her foot down this time!). It was very nice, especially meandering through some of the smaller canals. Nice and quiet away from the other tourists.
First sighting of Venice from the bus window.A at the Grand Canal, very happy to be back in Venice.The boys (especially F) were just happy to be back by the water. F said he misses zooming along on the water with the splashes landing on him.The boys exploring a building and about to chase seagulls (after they — the seagulls, not the boys — swooped in and stole the lunch of a lady sitting next to us).F modelling his new hat.We almost bought a similar hat for him in Oxford, because it suited him so much. This one was quite a bit cheaper (courtesy of touristy knock-off vendor stalls).Tempting pizza (we resisted, having brought a packed lunch... yes we are that... frugal).Even more tempting cannoli... resistance continued.Oh look, a gondola.A finally getting her gondola ride — after an 18-year wait.Canal views.Our gondolier was fairly new — only one year into the job. He is from a gondolier family (his father is also a gondolier, and he will inherit), but he's currently working for another gondolier. There is quite a bit of training and certification involved, including practical tests as well as lots of theory on navigation, "road" (canal) rules, Venetian history, and language training.Canals and bridges.J was a bit twitchy about being in another rocky boat (see Cambridge punting post). F, on the other hand, enjoyed getting closer to the water again (some splashing may have been involved).Out on to the Grand Canal, with some competition to see the least likely candidate from whom to elicit a wave back from the boys (the winner being a very taciturn-looking "water truck" driver).Ongoing wash (and waves — both kinds) from the water bus.Repair work to the casino dock as we were rowed past.
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And returning along the quiet back-canals.While busy, it (mostly) wasn't super packed, which was nice.Another gondola.Exploring the back alleys of Venice.F and J continued their months-long running light sabre battle away from the crowds in a quiet (until the boys arrived) Venetian side street. Who says they're not doing schoolwork — drama AND phys ed, tick.More temptations......to which we finally succumbed.Obligatory visit to the Ponte di Rialto.J's personalised free demonstration of a fancy wax seal. While browsing in a very nice stationary store (hand-made leather-bound notebooks, old-school dipping-style quills etc.), A was explaining to J how wax seals worked; one of the staff overheard and gave this demo.Awesome market (?) building interior, now filled with high-end retailers that we discovered by accident while on the all-too-common-in-Italy hunt for a public toilet. We haven't yet ascertained what the building is, but there were tour groups going through, so it must have been important for some reason 😁.More gondolas, because it's Venice and they're adorable. Apparently there were once over 10,000 when they were the main transport here (after horses were banned). There are now just over 400. They're also looking for more gondoliers if anyone is interested in a career change (see notes above about training requirements).Back in St. Mark's square among the...... pigeons. F was collared by one of the pigeon food touts. A caught this quick pic before we managed to escape unencumbered.One of (at least) two "competing" restaurant bands in the square. They were very good — we moved in closer for a listen.
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Down the winding alleyways of Venice for the shortest "walking" route back to the bus stop (note to self: you can't walk across the Grand Canal and there are only a handful of bridges).View while in line for the unexpected ferry (really a double-sized, two-gondolier gondola) to cross the Grand Canal on our "walking" route back home.Somewhat twitchy J and somewhat excited F about to cross the canal. Boarding may have involved loud and candid (and accurate but impolitic) comments from J about other passengers and the impact they made on the tilt of the boat when boarding.But we did get a lovely view of the canal and surrounds after scrambling for the needed €8 in change to make the crossing. Despite initial frustrations, it was still the fastest way home, and a lovely way to finish up our visit.
