9.22 - Thursday - Touring Venezia

117 ISLANDS, 150 CANALS, 417 BRIDGES

And we crossed, touched or stood on half of them in our Native Style Walking tour of Venice.

"Mi scusi signore, fa questo vaporetto andare a San Marco"

"Sì, signore, ma fa diverse fermate prima."

"Non importa, mi darà un sacco di tempo per le foto lungo la strada, Grazie Mille.”

"Eccellente, godetevi il vostro tempo a Venezia."

Thats how it was supposed to go... but here’s how it really went.

“Mi scusi signore, lei parla inglese?”

“Si Signore, how can I help you?”

“Bene, is this the vaporetto to San Marco?”

“Yes it is, it makes several stops along the way”

“Great… more time for pictures, Tanta Grazie.”

“Bravo, enjoy your stay in Venezia.”

OK… so I'm still not that comfortable with my Italian, although our first dinner was conducted entirely in Italian, much to the surprise and delight of the Dragon Lady.

The exchange above actually took place near the end of our first full day in Venezia, after a much longer walking tour than originally planned… which is not entirely a bad thing.

In fact, after actually picking us up at 10AM at our hotel on Lido, and trying to get the Transport Authority to replace Chuck’s lost “Ticket to Ride” [no luck] our guide, Venetian native Nadia Danesin, an independent whose business name is A Friend In Venice http://friendinvenice.com/  went well beyond the half day we contracted for, as she literally customized our tour according to some pre-trip information from us and the fact that we don’t mind walking a lot, and away from the usual touristy things, that we can do on our own.  And at that, at the end she gave us several suggestions for things she usually charges for but we could do ourselves, not usually found in the “30 Must Things To Do In Vence” you can find on any Google search, one of which was NOT to spend a Kings Ransom for a Gondola ride.  You see just as much walking the alleys and riding a Vaporetto.  

Our tour with Nadia was mainly in the back street and less traveled but still important places that most tourists don’t see, along with great stories and background at each turn and stop.  Interesting facts like the funnel shape of

the many styles of chimney’s, designed to create a vortex to disperse the embers and sparks high above the wood rooftops of 16th century Venice to prevent fires. She took us through many Campos [small gathering squares or neighborhoods] that all had their own well, a specially designed water gathering cistern system, usually built by the wealthiest resident who made water available to every one even neighboring Campos, and Campanile.  It its heyday, there were over 6000 cisterns in Venice of which over 200 remain and over 122 continuously running fresh water fountains throughout the city where Nadia showed us how to re-fill our water bottles rather than throwing them away and buying more. In fact in 2008 the city actually tried to encourage tourists arriving in Piazzale Roma to take advantage of the city's drinking fountains by handing out empty plastic bottles and a map showing the location of the 122 fountains .

Short History time:

Founded in 421 according to legend, as a trading-post on the islands of the Rialto by three consuls from Padua, Venice is no stranger to conflict and intrigue, between being conquered  by Byzantine Emperor Justinian in the 6th century and the fall of the Republic in 1797 prior to war with Napoleon it has been a Power to be reckoned with and a testament to the resilience of its hardy people.  To save time, click hereà VENEZIA for a quick look at Venetian history

After a leisurely Lunch around 430PM at the Fabulous L'ombra del Leone, near San Marco [5 stars], we bade Nadia a fond Arrividerci.  In all, our time with Nadia was wonderful, and we cant recommend her highly enough.

Now it was time to make our way back to Piazzalle Roma, to board Vaporetto #1 to follow the Audio Guided tour of the Canale Grande by Rick Steves that we downloaded for this part of our trip.  All went well till the last camera battery died at the beginning of the tour and we vowed to return Friday at the same time to repeat it with a fresh battery.

Fortunately Vaporetto #1 goes all the way to Lido so we jumped off there, changed shoes at the hotel and went looking for dinner.  Found it at Bar Maleti 4 doors down from the Hotel. Not good, in fact

Mediocre meal, Ok service, Fair Wine, no cafe.  2 ½ Stars on Uncle Chuck’s 5 star rating system.

Forgot to rate Ristorante Andri, our first nights meal [all in Italian mind you]

Good Meal [Staring fish and all] Good Wine, Great Dessert, Good Cafe, 4 Stars

Another late night penning Ciao Bella Venezia, listening to the great Tango music from across the street at TORO and a heavy crash for tomorrows run at our Audio Tour of St Marks Square, the Basilica, a trip to Murano and assorted other agenda including a reprise of the Canale Grande tour with a loaded camera.

We're a day behind due to all that has been going on and will have pictures added if not to the NOWAT, at least to our Picassa web with a link added to the side bar. 

Ciao 4 Now

Uncle Chuck & The tickled with all her newfound Venice facts,  Dragon Lady

Enjoying Fine Tuscan Wine, Aged Sharp Cheese & Great Crusty Bread