Took the water taxi to St Mark’s Square in eerie mist after breakfast at our favourite cafe by the station. Under the Rialto Bridge, our water taxi chugged its way between Sunday gondolier trippers and the Venetian Rowing Club who were out in force.
At the Doge’s Palace we were invited to join a ‘fast track’ queue (no idea why) and got our OAP reduced tickets in no time at all. Well worth the €15 each. After a wander round this amazing palace, including massive high renaissance ceilings and the prison across the Bridge of Sighs, we emerged into the sunshine of St Mark’s Square. Sat at a table for a coffee in the Square. A waiter appeared with a menu and, when we saw the price he suggested we could avoid the €16 espressos by sitting inside at a bar (€1.50!) instead. We took his advice and enjoyed the coffee in a rather splendid interior frequented by Wagner.
There was lots of mimosa about for International Women’s Day and we decided to take it easy for the afternoon after our morning of ‘seeing the sights’. Our hotel is in a residential area with some friendly bars, mainly catering for locals. We took the water bus back for an afternoon stroll, late lunch, spritz at sunset & supper before returning to pack – it’s a very early start tomorrow.
