We did both manage to get some sleep, and have a shower (boy are those showers small) but were pleased to arrive in Venice and disembark - room to stretch! First task was to purchase a 3 day pass for the vaporetto (boats as buses). The passes are dear at €35 each, but any one trip would cost €7 each, and we have already done 5 trips today. We couldn't buy a museum pass at the train station, so that had to wait. Onto the vaporetto, and to our hotel, Al Ponte Mocenigo. The weather is becoming warmer as we move south. Today is forecast for 26 - 27.
It was way too early to check in, but we wanted to leave our bags. The entrance (back door actually, but there are no steps this way) was down the tiniest little street - 2 people could not walk side by side down it! The owner put our bags into the storage, then offered us coffee and tea (other guests were having breakfast). Breakfast on the train was pretty ordinary, so we gladly accepted. As well as the cappuccino and Earl Grey tea, they also bought a basket of rolls and croissants with jams - we were already impressed.
Our stomachs satisfied, we headed back to the vaporetto to go exploring. We went about 7 or 8 stops, hopped off at Accademia and decided to walk for a while. Errol had booked us in to a Vivaldi concert in Chiesa San Vidal (a beautiful old church) tonight, and we wanted to make sure we could find it. From there, we just wandered through narrow streets, across squares and over bridges. We checked out eateries and shops along the way and finally arrived at St Mark's Square in the middle of town.
We can't decide if there were more people or more pigeons in St Mark's Square!! There are 2 famous cafes, Cafe Florian and Grand Cafe Quadri, on the square, and they are so popular and have such a great location, there is a charge (I hear €15) just to sit at one of their outside tables! Then there is the cost of the food/drink, but once you have paid, supposedly there is no rush for you to leave. They also regularly have a band playing for the enjoyment of their customers.
We checked some of the major buildings (outsides only at this stage): St Mark's Basilica (apparently some part is constantly under repair!), the clock tower, the bell tower or Campanile (above), and the Doge's Palace (duke). We were still looking for the Museums of St Mark's Square pass, and finally managed to get it at the Correr Museum. This pass is just a little over the cost of one museum entry, and is valid for 3 months (we checked if it was valid for tomorrow too, and were told: yes, it's fine till early December!). The pass also lets you jump the queue at the other museums (the idea is to buy it at one of the quieter places where you are unlikely to have to queue).
The Correr Museum is set in a building that has served as residence and offices for key officials in the Venetian Republic in the early 1800's, an Imperial Palace for Napoleon and palace for several other emperors/kings as Venice was dominated by different powers. Several rooms are set up for viewing, and are magnificent. You aren't supposed to take photos - or so I was told when I took just 1.
We went back and wandered through the narrow streets looking for lunch, finally found a small cafe selling sandwiches at a reasonable price (€3-4) although drinks were still relatively expensive (soft drink €3). We went back to the square to sit on the steps, but they have 'guards' (people dressed in orange T-shirts) who come and ask you to move on.
Errol had prebooked us entry to the St Mark's Basilica at 2:05, so again it was jump the queue time :). The queue for people without reservations must have had at least 150 - 200 people in it, and several tried to get through the reservations door - so sad, too bad, they didn't have a clever researching hubby like me!! The cathedral is superb - the 5 domes in the ceiling are decorated with mosaics, but from below it looks like gold. We did take photos this time.
Once through the cathedral, we were both exhausted, so it was back to check in at the hotel. There is a regatta of some sort on today, and people lined the canals all the way back, the city is packed. Our room is amazing - the walls must be at least twice normal height, and the ceiling has exposed beams (again photos to see). Rested and did emails and blogs, then off to dinner.
Our host recommended a small restaurant just around the corner (Muro), and it was great. My tuna in sesame seeds was beautiful, and Errol said his taglione scampi was about the best meal he's had while we have been away. Rushed off from there, onto the vaporetto and down to Accademia for the concert. There were 5 violinis, a cello and double bass, and a harpsichord. It is amazing the little bits of music that are tucked away in your mind, several parts of the performance were very familiar. The group, Interpreti Veneziani, have played all over the world, including Australia, and we're very good.
By the time the concert was over, we were ready for sleep. Back on the vaporetto again, and it was really busy for 11 o'clock on a Sunday night. It has been a beautiful day, we have seen so many different things. Venice is a city unlike any other.
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