Ferrara to Venice - 23-24 May

23 May

We had planned to deviate from our route towards Austria to visit Venice. While our ride from Bologna to Ferrara across the flat Po valley was pleasant enough, we agreed we would catch a train to Venice to keep on schedule, and then again from Venice to Verona to rejoin our cycle route. Some friendly Dutch camping neighbours in Ferrara had recommended a campsite on the mainland near Venice (Camping Serenissima).

The train ride went without a hitch, with the front carriage (apparently the usual place for bikes) having hooks to hang our bikes on. There was a plane-like lcd display showing our progress and speed. Being a slow regional train we only reached 155kmh.

On arrival at Venice Mestre station we briefly got a bit lost due to roadworks and GPS, but once we found our way it was an easy 8km ride to the campsite, which is a very pleasant shady family run establishment. We booked into a cabin for two nights.

24 May

A day is obviously not long enough to have any sort of a decent look at Venice and its various islands, but that is all we are prepared to spend in a tourist city at this stage. We caught a bus from the campsite, costing only €2.20 return, by far the best value we found all day. Venice is expensive and crawling with tourists. How many mask shops do you need?

We walked from the bus terminal via the Jewish ghetto and memorial then caught a ferry to San Marco. The main piazza is extensive and grand. After a short queue we were able to tour (being Sunday and mass being in progress) a small section of the byzantine cathedral.

Buying some small venetian glass things.

At the Jewish memorial.

Spot the Aussie?

Tracey & Rod on a terrace on the cathedral.

We found a Ferrari (souvenier) shop.

Real food - chips!

Venice

More Venice

Our cabin.

Venice is hot and humid. By mid afternoon Rod had had more than his daily quota of gelatos, and we headed home on the bus. Tomorrow morning we catch the train to Verona. We have had several recommendations to a campground right in the centre of town, apparently in a castle!