When we first arrived in Venice, my knees froze instantly and I don’t remember the last time my eyes were able to stare that long. I almost forgot that I had the camera hanging around neck all along. I didn’t even rush to get everything photographed. It took me a while to slowly absorb the idea of having my feet walking through the floating city. Minus the crowd, that place is amazing. I felt belonged because everyone seemed to be able to speak English. Everywhere I look, people appears to be hanging on their maps, getting their way to where they supposed to be. Almost everyone was a tourist.

One of many good things about Venice is that there is no car bugging you on the streets. Everywhere is within reach if you choose to walk or take a ride on the canals. The gondolas looks tempting but it costs around €100 more or less. We took a ride to the hotel on a water taxi at the price of €6.50 each. Fortunately within the 2 days we were there, mso and I managed to cover every corner that is suggested in the books. Like us, if you’re planning to go there for a short trip, do not forget to witness the heart of Venice (it’s hard to miss), Piazza San Marco. Visitors do flock here and it can be daunting at times but the scale of that piazza is spectacular. If you’re a morning person, I beg you to visit the Rialto markets at the crack of dawn just to see how the locals start their day. It’s amazing to see that side of Venice.

We stayed at a 2 star hotel, Ca’ Contarini which I adore! The person that handles the entire place was friendly and speaks fluent English. Wi-fi is available but not for us during our stay because they were having problems with their supplier. Other than that, I have no complaints. None.

It is true that restaurants tend to be more expensive. Halal food can be found in Venice – the typical kebabs. And gelati, oh the gelati! I just can’t stop having those! Up to a point that I was scared to weigh myself when I got back to Sheffield. Oh, and the very last picture was right before my camera went kaput. That explains the dark smear on the right.

FYMSO thanks misseja & sillyloo for following fymso.com