VENICE

I'd heard such great things about Venice, I really hoped that it would live up to my expectations...and it definately did.

On the coach in we watched The Italian Job (the new one with Charlize Theron) and we were like little kids all excited!

The capsite was really cool and we were even upgraded into a little cabin rather than tramp tent (for free!) so it was a good start. After getting off of the shuttle bus, we got completely lost trying to find our way to St Marks Square and it took us ages to even find the Grande Canal! but getting lost is the absolute BEST thing to do in Venice. There's no point in even pretending to be able to follow a map - the tiny streets, dead ends and bridges over the water. We did however manage to jump on a 'Vaperetto' (water bus) for free as we could find where to buy tickets! and eventually found our way to Castello (an area we only later realised was the main point for the La Venice Biennale.

More getting lost, people watching and eating lots of 'Gelato' (ice cream) was basically what we spent our days doing (note - to tell if its real fresh homemade ice cream the banana flavour should be GREY! so i tried it, of course, and its ammmmmmmazing!)

St Marks Square and the Bastilica were just stunning. After waiting in the queue and covering our shoulders and knees we got inside to see if the interior was as beautiful as it was from outside - it really was. So intricate and gold with frescos and marble and stained glass...ahhhhh and the atmosphere was so strange, almost haunting, but so peaceful.
Walking around the Piazza, we picked out our million pound yellow diamond rings, listened to a live orchestra and watched the pigions fly by. absolute heaven.

In the evening we decided to toacst out first night in Italy with pizzas and Vino and we chated and watched to world go by. We even managed to miss our shuttle back, but in doing so met an American girl (also staying at our campsite) who is now living in Madrid and she gave us loads of tips of things we can do/see/eat/drink there!

WE LOVE VENICE.

ButI got EATEN ALIVE!! mosquito heaven, even after treating myself to rediculously overpriced repelant, they came to me like a was a never ending happy hour of free blood - arrrghhhhh.

There's not much to write, you really can't explain it very well unless you see the city for yourself. The gondalas and the many many Venician mask shops and lace shops and pizza resturants...

I want to go back in the winter now, get all wrapped up warm with my massive red scarf and watch it snow ;)