How can you not visit at least once in your life a city as special as Venice? That's what I had been asking myself for a while, and so together with my girlfriend Laura we decided to give ourselves a weekend to visit Venice and its surroundings. On the advice of an acquaintance we decided to stay at Oriago di Mira on the Brenta river. The Hotel Burchiello is a four-star and attached to it there is a restaurant where the fish is out of this world. We would pay 150 euros for 2 nights with breakfast and about 75 for dinner (but what dishes!). From here you can take the boat that tours the Venetian villas along the Brenta all the way to Venice or Padua, or right in front of the hotel the bus passes that takes you to Venice.
Day 126 Mar 2004
1st day
We arrive at the hotel, get settled and visit the Malcontenta, a lovely villa a short distance away. From here we go to Mestre where we leave the car and take the bus which in 10 minutes takes us to our destination (this way we avoid paying for parking which in Venice costs a lot). We get the Venice Card which will allow us to take all the water buses unlimited and get discounts on Museums and public services. From here our journey of discovery of Venice begins. We don't have a particular itinerary in mind also because the beauty is precisely in wandering the canals and the most hidden alleys where you might discover different sides of the city. Anyway as if by magic we arrive at the Rialto Bridge which for its splendour is perhaps second only to the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. From here begins an endless series of shops of the most famous brands like Bulgari, Versace, Armani, etc.
that lead you almost by the hand to St. Mark's Square. What a marvel! Stunning. Obligatory photo, and given the late hour we return to the hotel where after a nice refreshing shower we go to enjoy our meal of excellent fish. We did well to stay at the Burchiello, besides the fair prices we ate divinely, something that in Venice almost never happens.
In a gondola
Day 227 Mar 2004
2nd day
We head to the Fondamente Nove, where we'll take the ferry to Murano.Here we watch in a glass factory as a vase is made and then their genuine artisan products are offered to us for sale. We also visit the glass museum before leaving the island to head to Burano. Burano is very particular, not only for its lace but it stands out for the bright colours of its houses.The atmosphere is different compared to Venice and it feels like living in one of those places told in fairy tales. Staying on the romantic note we decide to take a gondola ride (half an hour given the prices, but it's more than enough). It's really worth trying this experience, you breathe a different atmosphere crossing the canals cradled by the gentle movements of the gondola. Really very romantic.
By now it's already dark and Venice has already changed face, with its lights reflecting in the canals it's nothing short of fantastic. We return to the Burchiello where we'll have the luck to try the Doge's Risotto, one word only: Divine.
Rialto Bridge
Day 328 Mar 2004
3rd day
Last day, we leave the hotel and leave the car always in Mestre, the usual free spot. Taking a different route from the usual we always end up in St. Mark's Square where this time we stop to take a few photos with the pigeons, visit the Basilica and board for the Lido. This is the area where Venetians love to come to relax and it really looks like a seaside resort. After lunch we return to the city where we'll visit the Doge's Palace walking from the inside across the Bridge of Sighs that led to the cells. Our journey ends here, in a fascinating Venice that made us live moments we will hardly forget.
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