Venice June2-3/09

Before we leave Marotta we check on (via Internet) accomodation in Venice (close to train station and cheaper).

We have a couple hours on the train then we switch at Bologna. Fortunately we can catch the lift down with staff, along a corridor and up another lift to our platform.

A couple more hours to Venice.

Highlights: walking around Venice, St. Marks' Square
Lowlights: Currency exchange rip-off, train cost to Germany



From the train station it is very easy directions to get to Hotel Adua. As the hotel is expensive I suggest to Peter that we only stay 1 night and catch a late train tomorrow to the start of the Danube cycle route.

In Venice for 60EU/night you get a room down a narrow alleyway and up steep steps with 2 common baths down the hall. Our window opens onto a little roof patio with flowered pots. In the hall you can look out onto the street and hear the hustle and bustle below.

The woman eyes our bikes and gear when she comes down with Peter. Fortunately there is a ground level storage area where we can keep them.

With our bikes stowed we sit on the steps at the train station and people watch. There are so many different people coming and going. As there is a long line up for tickets we decide to walk around and come back later.





We walk past our hotel down narrow twisty streets across bridges spanning little canals. Along the way we pass several mask shops, jewellery shops with black and white T-shirts and straw hats like the gondoliers wear.





CURRENCY EXCHANGE RIP-OFF

I decide to convert $150US into Euros. Unfortunately I don't ask how much I will get back after fees as by the sign it appears to be just $5.40EU. The clerk hands me $75EU.

I go back and ask her if she charged me $20EU (which is almost $40Cdn!). She tells me that the machine calculates it all. There is a rate fee on top of the set fee. I am choked, I feel ripped off.

After we get groceries, we head back to the train station. Initially we line up for tickets however as our route is complicated (with the bikes) we are directed to the information office.

The agent just kind of mutters and shakes his head as it appears that it is not easily done to get to Basel or close to where we start the cycle way. The agent beside him prints out a sheet however it has several train changes.

A route is worked out -train to Milan -then change trains to Karlsruhg (Germany). The portion to Milan is inexpensive but through Switzerland to Germany is very expensive ($218EU for that portion) total $254EU.

ST. MARKS' SQUARE




We put our luggage in the store room and cross the bridge in front of the train station and follow the signs to Saint Marks Square. The route twists and turns for well over an hour before we finally reach it.

In the square it is prohibited to sit, eat and drink other than in designated places (in other words you have to pay to eat in a cafe).

As we see others breaking the law, we do the same but move so the "English" sign isn't staring us in the face as we eat peanuts and sip ice tea.





We intend to walk back along the canal but there isn't a pathway along it; fortunately we pick up signs for the train station and so make it back in less time and stop at a nice park along the way.



We hang out in the shade until it is close to our departure time.