melaus

The first stop of my long anticipated trip to Italy with the girls started in Venice. A hungover me took a Spoons breakfast and red wine to refuge and we're ready to go!

Pixel 2XL – Boarding

Despite the heavy rain and minor flood-gate, we had a brilliant time. The sea-water canals were much cleaner than I expected, and didn't smell as people have warned me (well, the heavy rain must've helped). The canals were all very beautiful and there were lots to see, and best for strolling through leisurely.

X-T3 35/1.4 – View as we cross the waters into the centre of Venice. Though, admittedly, not the type of weather you'd want to start your holiday with...

We followed Google's direction to our AirBnB, though it seemed to think we could walk on waters. Instead, we found ourselves needing to get on a waterboat to cross the canal (or another 20 minutes walking in the rain with our luggage). All exciting until we found out a ticket costs a whopping €7.50 -- what I call daylight robbery for a 1-minute journey! Luckily, we avoided having to pay as the ticket machine was faulty. Winning!

X-T3 35/1.4 – Mandatory mirror shot (Left to right: Amy, Tyra, me, Danielle)

X-T3 35/1.4 – A very green cookie, I'd say!

The rain didn't stop us at all. Once we settled in, we went out for a walk and chilled over a couple glasses of wine. On our way home, we experienced the infamous flooding of Venice. Thankfully, with my natural leadership skills (an on-going inside joke), I insisted we go a different way and avoided having to walk in waters. Phew!

X-T3 35/1.4 – Enjoying a drink and breather before it rains again

X-T3 35/1.4 – Black Cat-themed bar-restaurant

X-T3 35/1.4 – Manager at The Black Cat

The weather carried on to be a bit grim but was getting better slowly the next day. We managed to see a lot. We went to Piazza San Marco and saw the stunning Basilica di San Marco. We then spent some time in the Palazzo Ducale (Ducale Palace).

X-T3 50-140/2.8 – A lovely couple taking some wedding photos

There, we crossed the Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs) and saw the palace prison, alongside the glamourous rooms and spaces within the palace. We even did a little photo shoot!

X-T3 35/1.4 – View from the Bridge of Sighs

X-T3 35/1.4 – Let's not end up in prison

Pixel 2XL – Look at this glamourous hall

X-T3 35/1.4 – Tourists listening (or not) to their tour guide explaining about this hall

X-T3 50-140/2.8 – Danielle and Amy looking beautiful

X-T3 50-140/2.8 – Me and Amy

Of course, we saw many gondolas in the canals. I would have loved to be on one if we had more time and the weather was nicer. But, it was nice enough to do some people watching instead on the many bridges across Venice.

X-T3 35/1.4 – Gondoliers at night

X-T3 50-140/2.8 – Gondoliers in daylight

X-T3 50-140/2.8 – Gondola rush hour

Before we head to Verona the next morning, we went to Murano to see some glass making and saw a free demonstration. It was relaxing but there wasn't much going on, really. Better off staying in the main island, I'd say!

X-T3 50-140/2.8 – Glassmaker making a little horse. The skills!

X-T3 50-140/2.8 – The girls trying to find where to go next. I swear they weren't annoyed at me, yet.

All in all, I loved Venice a lot. The canals, the smell of sea, the wine, the people watching -- what more can you ask for! It would make a lovely romantic trip with your loved one. One day, I'll be back and spend some romantic time in this lovely setting.

Stay tuned for the Verona part of the trip!

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