Getting Lost in Venice

I woke up next morning listening to the rain.

Not really what we had hoped for, we had a very long lazy breakfast until the sun finally came out. 

I wanted to get lost in the city today, discover all the little secrets hidden in the back streets of Venice, go offbeat and away from the busy tourist areas.

We walked left from our hotel, then right and just kept going. 

Eventually we got to the other side and hit Rialto Bridge, which was tourist central. 

I can now say that I have walked over the famous Rialto Bridge but it was too busy for my liking. 

We quickly dipped out of the busy crowds in to the area of San Polo. 

We decided the rumble in our tummies must mean it was lunchtime. 

So went forth to find the least tourist-looking little restaurant to have lunch. 

Any establishment that served Prosecco by the jug was a-Okay with me!

I don't quite know what this little place was called but we sat among a couple of old Italian men being served their dinner, a large Italian family feasting on some pasta and a table of Italian men enjoying some nice cold beers with a bunch of antipasti. 

Yes, this place was perfect for a feast.

I know you want a close up of that pizza

Am I right?

Then we truly did get lost. 

To the point where there was nobody. 

Not even tourists!

Down very dodgy and narrow streets, which someone hinted could have been rat infested. 

Eugh!

It got to the point where I had to resort to my trusty guide books and a big ole' map.  

Until we finally made it back in to civilisation. 

We carried on walking until we finally made it back to our hotel!

The only problem is is that our hotel was on the other side of the Grand Canal!

Dun dun duun.

Can you see it over there with the red canopy?

We seriously debated swimming across the water.

Would we get arrested?

Or hit by a boat first?

After much consideration, we decided it was best to walk our poor little feet back over the Ponte dell'Aacademia bridge instead of tempting fate.

But there was one last stop before we made it back to the hotel.

That included a big old boat, a singing Italian and a couple of blonde tourists. 

A Gondola ride. 

The position of Gondola driver is very prestigious in Venice and can only be passed down from generation to generation. 

Luciano's father had been a Gondola driver and his grandfather before that. 

The price is steep at 80€ for 30 minutes, but it sits up to a family of six. 

And oh so worth it!

It definitely is one of those once in a lifetime experiences you must do. 

Luciano, our very charming Italian Gondola driver, gave us a whizzing tour of Venice and even sang to us!

Soon he warned us that the rain was coming!

So after saying Ciao, we legged it back to our hotel so as to not get wet. 

The rain had cleared up by the time we went out for dinner, buuuut you will have to find out more about our last night tomorrow!

See you then!