Today I went to Venice, alone.
I was late getting up and so it was a bit of a rush to the train, but Alessio was very kind and had made me a coffee and prepared me a bottle of water to take, so after a little bit of running, we made it.
The journey took just under an hour and a half and I was to get off at the last stop, so it was easy. I dismounted the train with everyone else and followed the crowds through the station and past all the expensive shops to the exit.
Straight away, Venice took my breath away - the water, the buildings, the lack of cars. It was beautiful. And to top it off, clear blue skies and 26 degree heat. I took out my camera and hung it around my neck, then my phone for google maps. I spent some time walking back and forwards over bridges until I got the hang of it, then I headed to the restaurant Greta had recommended to me for lunch. The restaurant sat by the river, a little off the beaten track and empty inside. I entered, sweating, and then panicked when they didn't speak English very well and couldn't understand me, so ended up ordering a Greek salad.
After lunch I journeyed across to San Marco, through small streets and over bridges with beautiful views. I kept having to pinch myself, I couldn't quite believe that it was real and that I was really there. It was like something out of a fairytale. I was constantly looking up at the beautiful buildings surrounding me. There is so much to see.
I meandered along part of the Grande Canal and was in awe of the view of buildings of all shapes and sizes lined up on the other side. I made my way over to San Marco, stopping on every bridge to capture the scene looking down each small section of canal. Gondolas occasionally swept upstream, a man stood rowing dressed in black and white stripes.
I walked for what seemed like forever in the sweltering heat getting lost in small streets. The houses pressed tightly together, a river running between where a road would usually be.
Gift shops and places to eat - Pizzerias, gelato shops, cafes and restaurants also littered the streets, windows covered in masquerade masks and Milano glass. I stopped for an ice cream and realised how thirsty I was, despite already having so much to drink.
I found myself on the other side of the canal where enchanting art stalls stood. I spent a short while flicking through the colourful works whilst my ice cream melted, before finally settling on one to buy.
At the end of Piazza San Marco sat a fantastic building; Basilica San Marco - the patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of St. Mark. Such detail was in the statues which stood atop the roof, and in the paintings in the arches; it was a work of art.
I found a cafe for coffee which wasn't too expensive just outside of Piazza San Marco, however I did have to stand at a bar table to drink it, I wasn't allowed to sit down which I found a little bizarre.
My last stop before making my way back through the streets and up to the train station was Ponte di Rialto - Rialto Bridge. I didn't think much to the bridge itself, (it was under construction). However it was full of tourists and I soon saw why; gift shop after gift shop stood both sides of the bridge, up and over and down the other side. They all sold similar tat; keyrings, magnets, jewellery, that sort of thing. It didn't really interest me and so I made my way up, back over the Grande Canal, through San Polo, the beautiful streets; flowers hanging from balconies, and back up towards the train station, stopping off at some gift shops along the way.
I stole one last glance back at Venice before calling it a day. I have done something I never thought I would. Not only have I explored a place for a whole day on my own and it not mattered whether I got lost, I have also fallen completely in love with a city. Venice really is something else.
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