It's funny because I've heard so many different opinions on the canal engulfed city; it smells bad, it's dirty, it's the most beautiful city they've ever visited, it's pretty but there isn't much to do…but I'd already seen those stunning high definition Polaroids on Pinterest and Tumblr so I went enthusiastically open minded.
I
can hand on heart say that so far in Italy, Venice has been my favourite
destination and it absolutely did not ‘smell bad' at all. With its little
winding streets that lead similarly around the city as the yellow brick road in
the Wizard of Oz it couldn't be easier to find your way around and see
everything Venice has to offer. All you need is a day to venture around the
area, delving through the cobble stoned lanes past carnival shops full of
intricate masks and skipping over several of the 400 little stone bridges that
exude the cities whimsical atmosphere. Scattered throughout
the labyrinth of colourful shops, houses and canals are churches and
Cathedrals with exquisite interiors and dome roofs that shape what is one of
the quaintest and most majestic skylines I have seen.
Of
course as every budding traveller knows; Venice is famous for its
traditional gondola's. Rowed through the canals by friendly Italian men
uniformed in striped shirts and straw hats reminiscent of Bert's
from Mary Poppins, the ride is charming. A great way to relax and sight
see, You could pay more to indulge in a glass of Prosecco and have the Venetian
rower serenade you but for the sake of a student’s pocket we settled for a
shared gondola - but we met a lovely American family by doing so! Piazza
San Marco, or St. Marks Square, is the iconic heart of the city where St.
Marks Basilica makes home. The Church of St. Mark and the whole
piazza are architecturally insane and flocked to point-burst of excited
tourists.
Luckily
for me the weather was sun shine lollipops and everything that's wonderful, so
the day was perfected by the rays of sun sparkling on to the water front in the
lagoon where the water buses and boats were docked. The only thing I would
mention to you about the island, is that the only methods of transport are by
boat or foot - there are no taxi's and the trains from the city don't run late
so it's best to get up early and make sure you get a full day there with plenty
of time in order to head back. I speak from experience.
I
had the greatest time and came back with some memorable souvenirs including a
palm sized Venetian mask to hang on the wall! It felt like a dream, and I
would dismiss anybody that argues the city is nothing less than an island of
romantic adventure.
