After a week on the road it was still not time to go home. I had booked a bed on the night train to Venice. So many friends went to Venice during summer and everybody told the same story. The city is empty therefore it’s the best time ever to visit it. So arriving back in town from Slovakia, I repacked my bags and boarded the train at 10pm. Sharing the compartment with three other women might not be for everyone in times of COVID, but we saw it relaxed and ride was uneventful. Actually, I slept like a baby. At around 8am we arrived in Venice to this view.
first look on the lagoon from the train @Venice
Of course once I got off the train the view improved dramatically.
first view on the Canal Grande after exiting the train station @Venice
Instead of taking the Vaporetto I enjoyed a leisurely walk through Venice in the early morning. Stopping from time to time for a picture, just looking at everything and nothing, while strolling through the streets, I eventually decided on a coffee and a Cornetto. Nothing tastes better than real Italian coffee. And all that before I checked into the Hotel do Pozzi, just a short walk from the Basilica San Marco. The hotel by the way has a great location and is not expensive. The rooms are so small though that you really have to love, love, love the person you share it with, otherwise this will not work. I was happy though, great location and a good price.
Venice was all about sightseeing this time. Eight years ago my one and only visit to Venice was all about living the good life. This time I was on my own and had different plans. I wanted to see the St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and the Rialto Bridge. In brief, to see it all. Isn’t an empty city your best chance to manage it all? Okay, all might be slightly overstating it. But to get to the main features at least.
Piazza San Marco with the Basilica and the Campanile in the back @Venice
So the first day I was pretty busy checking out all the sights, while for the next two days I had no agenda. It was vacation after all and I needed some time to wind down. Venice is best enjoyed sitting somewhere on a piazza, sipping an Aperol spritz, and watching people. The whole thing gets even better when the sun is shining and you can hide behind some dark glasses. Life doesn’t get much better than this.
Aperol spritz and people watching @Venice
Venice is a city you can repeatedly visit without getting bored. So far I have only scratched the surface of what to do and see here. Also I miss going to Italy on a regular basis. For years we went to Tuscany to see Florence, Siena, and Pisa. Since that is not happening anymore, maybe I should put Venice on my rotation. Yours, Pollybert
