Bella Italia: Venezia..

I was excited about going to Venice.. But the weather gods dint share my enthusiasm. So on a foggy chilly Friday evening I took the train from the Milan.
(click on the pic to enlarge it)

It was a short 2.5 hour journey to Venezia Mestre station. From there I had to take another 10 minutes train to Venezia St. Lucia station which is situated in the city. Throughout the way I regularly kept on checking the sky hoping to see a clear sky. But nothing except whiteness. I was praying that maybe near the sea, there will be no fog. As I stepped outside the station in Venice, this is what was waiting for me…

Right in front of the station was the Vaporetto or the water bus stand. I took a single ticket (costing 6 euro) and went to my hostel.

Later I realized that single journey tickets were more costly, there was passes for 12/24/36/48/72 hours. Next day I bought a 36 hour pass which cost 24 euro. This is the best mode of transport in Venice.

After a good night’s sleep, I woke up next morning with anticipation that the fog might have cleared. But no luck.
As I stepped out

Still not much visibility

I was terribly disappointed. Fog meant such photos..

I took the vaporetto to the main square of Venice, the Piazza San Marco.

The vaporetto..

First look at the famous Gondolas of Venice.

From there I started walking around, clicking the beautiful monuments and waterways of Venice..

The lion of Venice..

Saint Mark’s Basilica
The beautiful church on the crowded St Mark’s Square

Sadly photography was not allowed inside. Infact in most of church’s photography was not allowed. the roof at the entrance..



The clock tower


A closer look at the Gondolas

even boats run on the power of the prancing horses..




Sailing the open seas..

Smile please..

A gondola driver in their trditional uniform..

More waterways..



Some beautiful sculptures around Venice

Some people are photo-conscious.. but no need to draw out the swords for this..

Saints, Cupids & Angels..



Near the San Michelle cemetery..

Dragon lamps..

Jab itni badi statue lagai hai to koi important aadmi hi hoga..

The winged lion, the symbol of Venice..

It was a friendly one, even turned its head for me..

The main roads..

The streets..

The back alleys.. this one was quite a squeeze..

Private parking..

One of the famous bridges across the water: Rialto Bridge..

Posing on the bridge..

San Giacomo di Rialto church..


At night I visited the St. Mark’s Square.. The Bridge of Sighs..

Doge’s Palace..

On top of Saint Mark’s Basilica..




the clock tower..




the winged lion..



savdhaan..

god bless you..

the bell on the clock tower.. when it rings, the 2 statues strike the clock with the hammers..

The winged lion..

Saint Theodore..

other pieces of art around..



The Venetian masks..



While roaming around I reached a fruit and vegetable market.. Some delicious strawberries..

And some stinky fish..

The houses that have seen many years..



Plus & minus..

Private entrance..

Santi Giovanni e Paolo..



photography was allowed here but as the mass was going, i couldn't go near the alter.. on the side..

Some bird watching..

Inside a church..

A visit to Italy is not complete without trying this..


Murano
Murano is a series of islands linked by bridges in the Venetian Lagoon, northern Italy. It lies about 1.5 km north of Venice. It is famous for its glass making, particularly lampworking.

Commune di Murano

The glass master pieces (clicking pics not allowed)..


This is called Comet glass star..


Burano
Next morning when I stepped out of my hostel I was greeted with this sight..

Thank God!!! Finally the sun was out..

The St Mark’s Square again..

But the good light dint last long.. By the time I reached the vaporetto to catch the ferry to burano, the fog had returned..

The ferry ride in the open sea was a chilly one. Like Murano, Burano is also an island in the Venetian Lagoon. It is known for its lacework and brightly coloured homes.
The colorful houses..

Decorations on the windows


the main market was laced with lace shops..

More colors all around..





foggy day..

A tap.. par ismein paani rokte kaise hain??

Kya innovation hai..

On the way back

Lone ranger

Back to Venice as the nigh fell..

In the evening i took the train back to Milan..