Venice – First Day

Arrival

We arrived at the railway station in the morning. We first obtained our Vaparetto passes and then took the Vaporetto to the Accademia Bridge. After some searching we found our hotel, nearby Campo San Stefano.

Campo San Marco

We headed for Campo San Marco and explored until noon, when our passes allowed entry to the Doge’s Palace.

Inside the Doge’s Palace

We followed the arrows round the palace taking in the impressive staircases and ceilings and crossed the Bridge of Sighs into the prison where we were not detained.

From the bell tower

We decided to go up the Bell Tower although the only way up was by the lift and we would have preferred stairs. We were rewarded with fine views of the Venitian roofscape in all directions and a close look at the impressive bells.

In the evening

We made our way across the Academmia Bridge and along a side canal towards the sea in search of pasta and ice cream. After enjoying these we walked along the promenade to get good views across the exit of the Grand Canal to the Doge’s Palace and the other splendid buildings around it.