Venice! Perhaps the unreachable dream of many people. Think again! I have never seeing this many tourists in my life.

Venice is the most fascinating city in the world!  Completely surrounded by water I can’t not believe it lasted this long.  Unique architecture, unique means of transportation.

We arrived in our hotel “Marco Polo” which is about 15 minutes outside of Venice, on the way from Marco Polo International Airport. Reviews said that hotel is very clean and comfortable, and conveniently located. We got nice room on the second floor, with the huge deck looking in to the back yard.  This deck was shared with just 1 more room next to us. The deck was large enough to host a party. However there was no deck furniture.

We asked at the reception how come they have no deck furniture, just couple of lounges and perhaps little table with chairs would be so nice. They said that they tried to put furniture on the deck before but people were complaining that there were other people in front of their room . And this is with just 2 rooms sharing this deck? I was surprised to say the least.  In any case, opening windows proved to be absolutely impossible because hotel is located on the street which is the only street leading in to town and the level of noise is way too high. Trucks caring building supplies in to Venice and motorcycles dominated the road.  Breakfast was included in the price and was terrible. Very limited choice and poor quality. The bedding and bathroom was pretty clean but the size of the shower was so small that when I wanted to wash my feet I would hit my head on the wall.

Oh well, after all this is not hotel review blog,  Just that I could not help mentioning to stay away from hotel “Marco Polo”

We took the bus, which was always late, and 1o minutes later arrived in Venice.

I was really hungry so we stopped at some restaurant near the water for lunch. Food was bad……Pizza was just crust with hardly anything on it. I could not see the cheese or any toppings. Later we realized that pizza is not our American pizza anywhere in Italy.  We wanted to get in to the center of Venice and were advised to take water taxi. Water taxi turned out to be 50 euros for 5 minute ride.

Never the less we were in St Marcos square. Of course we all saw St Markos square millions of times in millions of movies. But nothing prepared me for what I saw. Thousands of tourists. There was no places to step and  I felt like there was no air to breath.  It felt like millions of bees were buzzing over the piazza.  It was overwhelming.

We fed the pigeons, listened to music that was playing in the restaurants, walked around, stopped in front of few small shops and were happy to be on our way in to the city.

Of course Venice is beautiful in it’s own way. The intricate streets with it’s little bridges and canals.

We decided to take a gondola and of course the price was 50 euros for a ride. There was no opera singing and it was no guided tour.

I really wanted to say that gondola ride in Vegas was nothing comparing to the real one. But I can’t. At least in Vegas we were serenaded by a gondolier.

I can’t quite understand weather it takes very skilled architects to keep building looking old and run down or they are really in very poor shape .

Would seem to me that city of Venice makes enought money from all the tourists to take care of this unique place.  I was very surprised that there was no  rest places, no benches in the city. If we wanted to rest our legs the choice was the filthy steps or the bridge or a chair in the restaurant where you had to buy food or drink and spend more and more money. It would be interesting to hear from the brides who spent their wedding and honeymoon in Venice about their experience and impressions.

Before we explored Venice I saw it a very bright, carnival town. Now I see Venice in black and white. And the only bright memory I have of Venice are numerous carnival masks that are being sold on the streets.

3 days in Venice was way too much exploring for me. I am glad we gone to Venice but I can not say I would like to come back any time soon.