Venice and Murano (Italy) on a rainy day

The last two nights we have spent in Reggio Emilia – below Milano and we wish we had longer to stay. Our friends were amazing, and the time shared was very special.

So with regret, we left as it started to rain again.  We drove on to Venice.  There was a nasty accident on the motorway that held us up.  There was burning pieces of wood alight on the side of the road, and a huge chopper motorbike being loaded onto a tow truck.

So we dubiously headed onto to Venice, albeit later than planned.

We had booked a hotel in Mestre, just outside Venice,  Hotel Vidale Mestre.  It is super clean and the staff is nice. On arrival, the room was not ready but it had free car parking, so we left the car there, after changing to warmer clothing, and hopped on a bus. The cost was Six Euro return if I remember correctly.  It was all of ten or so minutes straight into Venice.  From there we bought a day pass for the boat-bus as it is known.  This cost Twenty Euro each and all transport is the same cost for adult and child alike.

So we decided the first place we would visit is Murano where the glass is made. Explorason is pretty overwhelmed to be here, but I can tell he was up way too late last night with his friend, and he is tired.

We arrive and head straight around to the Glassblowing demonstration.  You will find this to the left of the boat as you get off the main stop.

I have fond memories of my Mum (who has since passed away) and my Dad returning from Venice with a beautiful deep red glass vase for me with gold paint.  It is in storage somewhere. I hope to see similar here, but soon learn the antique items are a thing of the past. The styles have changed.  So Explorason is given front seat to watch and learn.

We are given quite a humorous explanation of the glass making.  I am sure this man after saying the same thing 20 times a day is well over the enthusiasm of his job.  But it is a good place to be educated.

Venice / Murano is also known for these glass beads.  They arrange them together and melt them and they make the most incredible patterns.

We also see a building covered in glass roses.  There is glass everywhere.

This is an archway of glass flowers.

There are Glass Peacocks. Glass Lights.  Glass Vases. Glass ornaments. You name it. We see it – made in GLASS.

As world travel experts here is our tip: If you venture off the main canals you will also find interesting pieces of sculpture and artwork. There are too many to add to this blog. But we see loads.

We even see dresses made of clear glass beads.  We are awestruck by the art and beauty before us. There are also fun pieces.

We find our way back to the main canal and we are both tired but happy.  Rain seems to come and go throughout the day.

Time for a rest.  We meet a lovely couple at the next table and we have a good break.

We’ve chosen a couple of small gifts for each other for Christmas from a nearby store.  The service of the lady was the worst I’ve encountered. She may have been talking Italian, but it was clear she was having issues with Facebook and so the next half hour we watched her chat. I had a question but she refused to get off the phone. She then tried to overcharge me whilst talking and holding the mobile phone to her shoulder.  Clearly, she was so busy she didn’t care about our sale.

We looked through many more galleries and walked along the canal. At 4:00 p.m. we decided it was time for pizza. We sat opposite the main boat area.
Then it started to rain. It seemed to take forever to get to San Marco.  By then the boats were wearing their covers, and many were heading home for the evening.

We then decided to head toward the bus for home. But as we did, we were tempted to look into many stores. So impressed when we saw a lady painting the Venetian Masquerade Masks.  I had to take this photo at a distance but it is not too clear.

There seemed to be shop after shop selling these. Most I daresay might not originate from Italy.  A bit like the glass.

We met a lady and she loaned us her mask for a photo.  You can barely tell!  It is spotting with rain once again as we leave here.

So we then make our way to the Rialto Bridge.

Explorason dashes into a store and makes a deal on a secret item for me for Christmas. What impresses me is he gets a discount, as I know he told me it cost more than what he had.

So once again, here we are on a bridge at sunset in Italy.  We have gone from Ponte Vecchio to Rialto. Both are just gorgeous.

We refuse to leave until the lights of Venice are illuminated.  It seems to take forever, so we go and sit and get Explorason a gelato.

Finally, it is getting dark.  We ask about a gondola ride but it is One Hundred Euro plus tip and with no song, and no straw hat. The round neck top is gone, and it is replaced with a polo shirt.  The magic is gone for the gondola ride. What a shame. We even try to share with some other ladies but the man refuses. Commercialism at its worst.  This will not be our memory.

We head back up to the Rialto Bridge.  We meet a lovely couple and we take each other’s photos.

Then it is time to pop the camera away.  We once again stand and enjoy this time we have as Mum and Son.  The whole reason we decided on this journey is to have time together. And it is quality time we are having now.

We head down for the last boat ride. People seem to be pushing and shoving like sheep. We manage to get onto the second bus-boat and head back to the main bus station. We get off one stop too early. That is OK. We stroll with aching feet for one last time along the side of the canal.  The sky is clearing and it is deep blue in readiness for the moon.

How wonderful our day in Venice has been.

So glad the rain went away.

For more Family Venice information we suggest you read: 5 tips for traveling to Venice with kids

Questions and Comments

• Are you a family that travels permanently?
• What fascinates you about Italy?
• Have you been to Venice?
• How is the experience?
• What do you make of their culture?
• What is your take on families that travel permanently?
• Do share your experiences and comments with us below.