The city on water - Venice.

We finally made it to Venice! I've been looking forward to visiting Venice since Marco and I started dating. 

We arrived to a very chaotic point where the final car park is. After a long que, we parked up and headed for the water ferry. 

There are no cars at all in Venice. The only way to travel is by water. The transport ranges from public boat (about €7pp) to a water taxi (€60).

On the water taxi. 

Talk about exploiting a captive audience. We got the public boat and was hurded like cattle. It was so busy with people getting on and off the stops.

The water is a beautiful bright green. I wouldn't want to swim in it as you can see it's very polluted but it was still a mesmerising colour. 

On arrival by Grand Canal. 

There are so many beautiful buildings and churches. As soon as we got off the boat, I spotted Harry's Bar. Apparently this is a famous bar that does incredible cocktails overlooking the Grand Canal. 

We took in the sights of beautiful Saint Mark's Basilica. I am so impressed with the glorious colours of the paintings and gold detail. 

We didn't go inside as we didn't have time but I would love to come back and spend more time learning about Venice. 

St. Mark's square is the perfect place to people watch. It's also the perfect place to get robbed. Marco keeps saying rape but meaning robbed. I was petrified when he first said it - bloody langauge barrier. 

Marks square. 

We spent the day strolling the cobbled streets and lots of bridges with Marco, Gianne (Marco's papa), Denis and Selena. It was so special spending the time with them all. 

I kept thinking how much my parents would love it here but there is far too much walking. 

I loved looking at all the gondolas. They are so well made. The lovely bronze statues symbolising different things. 

I was so excited when Denis said we were going on one. It was so relaxing and you see Venice from a different angle (obviously!!). I adored looking up at the buildings and noticing the little things like the shutters on the windows and looking at all the marks from where the water has risen over time. 

There were plenty of fish being fed the disgarded galato cones from children.  

You can see so many people in love in Venice. Plenty of couple strolling hand in hand, stopping for the perfect picture to capture the moment. 

It was the families I enjoyed watching the most. The children were so excited with some of the simplest things. Making beautiful memories for their futures. 

Obviously there is an abundance of bridges here. Some little going between water ways and others much grander. 

Ponte dell'Accademia was one of my favourites. It's one of only four bridges which spans the grand canal. It originates back in 1854 but it was demolished and replaced in 1933.

Stunning bridge. 

It was a really long day simply walking around and taking in the sights. We stopped at an incredible seafood restaurant called Dalla Clara. 

I was so overwhelmed (as I have been a few times this holiday) with how much choice there was. In the end everyone else ordered for us all to eat. 

I discovered I love clams!! I ate so many of them. I also really enjoyed the risotto which had lots of different seafood (called  risotto ai frutti di mare). I also discovered I can't eat the poor little baby octopus. Seeing everyone behead them and eat their little legs was too much. 

Yummy dinner. 

Hopefully next time we will be able to spend a few days in Venice. The hotels look incredible. So quaint and personable. 

It's so difficult to choose a favourite place I've visited. Each city has so many special sights. 

Perhaps I need to go back and view them all again... 

The Travel Bugs Back

I’ve always joked about having the ‘Travel Bug’ but I seriously do.

I am so spoilt but I miss that I haven’t travelled as much this year. Granted, I’ve travelled a lot more than some people, and of course I’m so grateful, but it’s never enough.

I started the year off celebrating in Abu Dhabi. Then in April I had my great trip to Kuala Lumpur, Bali and Singapore. I really enjoyed that trip. I desperately needed some time to myself and it was perfect! I didn’t feel lonely at all. I spoke to the staff and a few other people enjoying their holidays but that was enough. 

Enjoying KL Tower. 

Sometimes when I’ve travelled alone before, I’ve felt pretty lonely. I think it really depends how I feel in myself (if that makes sense). I’m finally in a very secure, loving relationship and so I felt comfortable being on my own for a bit as I knew I’d be returning to Marco.

Whilst walking to work this morning, a song came on that reminded me so much of Las Vegas. I was literally walking through a chilly London and then I was instantly taken back to the pool club next to my hotel in Las Vegas, laying on a day bed whilst sipping strawberry daiquiris and chatting to the hostess, Samantha, about what it’s like living and working in Las Vegas.

Rather tipsy after six of these. 

It’s amazing how our senses can remind us of a specific moment in time. I have so many things that make me think of my travels. Seeing the stars in a pitch black sky, reminds me of midnight skinny dipping in the sea in Caye Caulker, Belize. The smell of the petrol, reminds me of the huge boats in Halong Bay, Vietnam. The taste of Prosecco, reminds me of fishing in Italy and catching so many trout.

Exploring Halong Bay on the kayaks. 

We caught lots of trout. I said sorry to every one of them. 

I am loving visiting Italy and exploring where Marco grew up. Our first trip was wonderful. I have never felt so relaxed and at peace on holiday before. Although we were always doing something, whether it was visiting Marco’s family or going for a bike ride, I still felt so rested. It was probably the regular two hour naps in the afternoon which helped!

Beautiful Vicenza city after the proposal. 

I am really looking forward to visiting Venice. From the pictures, it looks so stunning. I adore the architecture of the buildings and I can’t wait for my Daddy to visit as I know he’ll love it all too. I would love to go on a gondola ride, I know it’s a little cheesy but it’s a tradition in Venice so I’d like to experience it.

I usually snap away on my iphone but I’ve decided to take my good camera with us as I want to ensure I get some beautiful shots to share with everyone.

There are so many places in Italy I’m looking forward to visiting. Being with a native helps so much too! But although I’m looking forward to exploring Italy, there are still lots of other places I’d like to visit.

I’m desperate to see the Northern Lights in Iceland. I would love to do a sailing tour around Croatia. I’d love to explore Australia. I’m desperate to go back to Africa and see more wonderful wildlife. And I truly hope I get to go snorkelling in beautiful Maldives.

Marco doesn’t quite understand my passion for travel. I can understand where he is coming from as he spends his holidays going back home to visit family. It must be difficult balancing things.

We’re looking to go on a cruise to the Caribbean next year. That should be a lovely experience as I haven’t been on a cruise before (the sailing boat in The Galapagos Islands doesn’t count!). I love the sandy shores of the Caribbean. The snorkelling will be amazing. And even better, I get to experience all of this with amore mio.

Sailing The Galapagos Islands. 

For now I’ll be dreaming of these new adventures. Oh and looking forward to Italy in 5 days’ time!!

Ciao.