We arrived in Venice mid-afternoon and easily found our campsite that would be home for the next couple of nights. It was really hot and humid so the shock upon getting out of the air-conditioned motorhome was a rude awakening.

The site was functional and the pitches were a reasonable size and the trees offered shade to the majority of the pitches. After quickly setting up we pulled dinner together and relaxed with a cold one or two knowing that we did not need to drive the following day.

We all had an interrupted nights sleep due to the fact that it did not drop below 29*C and there was no breeze. That plus the insects had feasted on our limbs during the early evening. A game of ‘How many bites have you got’ was the highlight over breakfast. However, this did not detract from the anticipation of spending the day in the famed city of Venice.

One of the highlights of the campsite was that the bus service ran from immediately outside the site and a few stops later we arrived in Palazzo San Roma.

One of the many canals, Venezia, Italy

As we stepped off the bus, we started to get glimpses of the historic city and it did not disappoint.

We spent the next hour or so wandering through the back streets admiring the numerous bridges, beautiful buildings and gloriously reflective canals, many only just 2m wide.

Stunning reflections, Venezia, Italy

After strolling through the streets for a while, we stumbled across the fish market full of the catches of the day - the colours, variety vendors were fascinating. We then moved on to the fruit market. Again it was a treat for all the senses, it simply spoilt us with its intense colours and aromas.

From the markets we headed towards St Mark’s Square. I had read and heard stories that this place was going to be overrun with tourists and simply too busy to truly enjoy the stunning facades, however, what greeted us (not for the last time) was a pleasant surprise of many people but lots of space too. Maybe it was the fact that we visited mid-week, but whatever the reason, we enjoyed marvelling at the attractive building that surrounded the square, fronted the Grand Canal and lined the many islands that make up the region.

We decided to take a break in one of the many air-conditioned restaurants as the temperature exceeded 38*C and enjoyed an hour’s rest from the oppressive heat. We all needed it. After we had finished our refreshments we headed back out into the heat to find the ferry/boat that we had been recommended.

View across to Venezia, Italy

We figured out the pontoon for the boat with relative ease.  We had been told that this would be one of the best way to see the city in all its glory. The recommendation was a stroke of genius as it was not crowded and afforded us some great views of the architecture and canals intersecting the city. The Grand Canal was quite rough and we were in direct sunlight, so a few of the group were starting to struggle with the perpetual movement. Once we were off the busy thoroughfare, the swell calmed and so did the nauseous feelings.

We took the boat around three quarters of the way around the route and disembarked at a randomly selected stop in order to take a gondola trip… well whilst in Venezia… it would have been rude not to.

Glass ornaments, Venezia, Italy

Glass balloons, Venezia, Italy

Having ticked another experience from the bucket list, we ambled back towards to our starting point to peruse the shops that we’d passed on our way in to the city. The stores wares varied from local masks, sweets, venetian glass and freshly cooked pizza.

Shop front, Venezia, Italy

Having picked up a couple of lovely souvenirs (we don’t often collect trinkets, but these will be well received, I have no doubt), we found a lovely small Italian restaurant to eat an early dinner before heading back to the campsite.

This has to go down as on elf the best days of this trip so far. I took a few hundred shots of the city, canals and locals, more of which I have posted to the main gallery page.

Simply surreal place to be.