Venice (Italy) - 15th to 18th August

After a one night stop over in Munich we arrived in Italia to see the sights of Venice. Italy is most definitely our most anticipated country, with cities including Venice, Rome and the costal towns for some warm weather.

So our first stop was Venenzia (Venice)! We stayed at our second camping ground which was a 25 minute bus ride into town, as the accomodation closer in town was damm pricey, which of course means less money for the essentials eg. drinks. The camping ground was a great change as it allowed us to relax and feel like we were on a holiday and not just a trip... not that we are complaining but we have been backpacking for 2 months now and it catches up to you.

Venice, city of the endless canals, venetian glass and of course Gondolas. Travelling by foot and boat is the only means of transport within the city. No cars or even motorbikes roam the small cobblestone alleyways and streets as there is simply no room. We werent sure why we were given a map because in this town following a map is simply impossible. The fun of venturing through Venice is getting lost in this maze of a city... but we did manage quite sucessfully to see the sights of Saint Marks square, with Dee quite sucessfully avoiding another phobia BIRDS, pigeons this time, the dirty flying rats were everywhere. We walked across the Rialto bridge, one of the three bridges that crosses the Grande Canal. Of course a day in Venice wouldnt be complete without a Gondola ride. After some bargaining power we managed to barta our driver Fabio down to 20 euro each for the 30 minute ride. It was definitely worth the price tag as going through these canals in simply amazing. Fabio pointed out a few sites including Marco Polos house... fish out of water!

Nightlife in the campsite was pumping, made even more so by the Toga theme party that night and a game of F$^k the dealer a card drinking game we learnt from a Kiwi bloke.

Day two was a little slow after our escapades from the night before, never the less we summoned the strength to get back on board for a ferry ride out to the islands of Murano and Burano. Murano the island of glass blowing and venetian glass, unfortunately it was a Sunday and that meant no blowing displays, but the glass in the shops was pretty spectacular all the same. A few purchases were made including glass bottle pluggers, butter knifes and a few suprise gifts. Another ferry ride landed us on Burano island, home of lace. This island wasnt as exciting, perhaps add on 30 years to our age and we might appreciate it more, but all the same it was small and quite little island that filled with boutique lace shops and italian restaurants.

The day concluded with Venice by night, something not to be missed. Suprisingly the city is quite different by night as the hussle and bussle of the small alleyways by day turns into a series of quiet tourist shops and happening restuarants for which we made a stop at. A dinner is only completed with a stop to the gelati shop for some icecream relief. St Marks transforms from tourist trap to a almost pigeon free (to dees delight) haven for some musical performances coming from the ever so expensive restaurants. A water taxi down the Grande Canal gave us the ultimate finish to an amazing city.

Next stop, Roma!