MAGICAL VENICE

THE MIDDLE EAST & EUROPEAN SERIES PT17

BOLOGNA, SAN MARINO & VENICE, ITALY

When I arrived in Bologna I decided to rent a car to get to San Marino. Like Vatican City, it wasn’t a place I was going to spend any longer than a day at and I was happy just to visit the old town at the top of Monte Titano.

WHERE IS VENICE?

Magical Venice

SAN MARINO

San Marino is one of the oldest countries and retains much of it’s historic architecture, most of which is in it’s capital, San Marino. It surrounds Monte Titano with the capital sitting atop and to the north. At just 21square miles, it is one of the smallest nations in the world.

MONTE TITANO

My day here was spent trying to find a parking space that was going to cost me less than $10/hour but eventually I just ditched it at the barriers and made my way up. At the top there are uninterrupted views towards the Italian Rivera and I was actually surprised by how much there was to see. You could easily spend a full day here checking out the Basilica, fortress, views and food.

Magical Venice

BOLOGNA

I had to get back to bologna as I had a train booked to take me to Venice. I had a last minute hunt for some Spaghetti Bolognese but for whatever reason there didn’t seem to be a restaurant open that sold it!

Magical Venice

VENICE

Venice is a place that somehow seems to slip underneath the European radar when it comes to city breaks. Ask around and most people will say Barcelona, Rome or Berlin. All good places in my book but like the Maldives, Venice offers something that no other place can. The city is truly magical and can only be compared to something out of a children’s book.

It didn’t take long for me to learn that Venice isn’t cheap. I searched high and low for accommodation and ended up paying $100/night for Calisera B&B. It was basic but the location was prime, right next to St Mark’s Square, the town centre of Venice, so I couldn’t complain.

Magical Venice

ST MARK’S SQUARE

When it comes to visiting Venice, the majority of attractions are situated around St Mark’s Square but it doesn’t necessarily mean you need to be near here. There is so much more to explore that you will likely only spend a morning or an afternoon here.

ST MARK’S BASILICA

St. Mark’s Basilica is the towns Cathedral and the most visited attraction here in Venice. The building is gothic and has over 500 columns dating between the 6^th and 11^th centuries. There are enough mosaics to cover 1.5 football fields!

ST MARK’S BELL TOWER

The Basilica’s bell tower, St Mark’s Campanile, is one of the most iconic bell towers in the world. It was originally built in the 9^th century but had to be rebuilt in the early 1900s due to poor ground conditions and the onslaught of earthquakes in the years before. You can also climb to the top for views of surrounding Venice but I would recommend San Giorgio Maggiore as it gives the best views which include the Basilica and St Mark’s Bell tower.

THE BRIDGE OF SIGHS

A famous yet sometimes forgotten part of Venice is the Bridge of Sighs that connects the new prison to the interrogation rooms. It is here new prisons would have come after being sentenced. It was the prisoner’s last view before being stuck in a cell.

WALKING AROUND

After St Mark’s Square I done my usual and walked around in search of anything that would be worth a photo. Venice isn’t big but it has a labyrinth of streets and alleyways which are easy to get lost in so make sure and have your maps on you. Not to mention an umbrella as when it rains it usually floods!

I have never minded travelling alone but I had to draw the line when it came to riding in a Gondola by myself.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Venice is magical and entirely unique, something that’s hard to find nowadays. Another place I have added to the list of destinations I wish to return.

NEXT UP

Slovenia to Bruges. Click to read.

SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
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This post is part of The Middle East & European Series, click to explore or for episode 1 click here.