Live and Solo: Dustin's European Adventure (Explorer May 8)

[DandDM]

18 hours ago, mapleleaves said:

You're getting a private water taxi for 80E ?? That's an amazing price. Typical cost is 150E.

I'm a budget traveller, so I always use the ATVO airport express bus from Piazzale Roma. 10E for the 20 minute ride.  There's a bus leaving every half hour, so super convenient.  

 Linea n. 35 (atvo.it)

 

You're wise to take an early flight. VCE is pretty chaotic after noon-time but early morning is pretty easy. In Oct I had a 6:30am flight;  was at my gate in less than an hr. 

Have a smooth flight home!

 

I didn't ask to confirm, but pretty sure it will be a van or car; I think the guy will just walk me to the car from the hotel and available to help with luggage (although my bag is pretty small!)

 

 

18 hours ago, StanleyandGus said:

Thank you for this marvellous trip report! You write very well, and the photos were great.

Thanks!  I apricate the feedback!!

[DandDM]

Pretty quiet day today; the weather cleared up and seeing some blue sky now.

 

On the topic of directions, learned the other night that there is an avenue that goes from the train station to Rialto bridge. It is kinda out of the way for me, and meanders around, but I walked it today and it is wide, easy to follow and lined with shops. Finished shopping for gifts along there. Not content to stay on the main path, found a little street and ended up checking out the north shore of this island. 

 

 

This shore had more of an industrial feel (less touristy) and could see a fort of some sort across the lagoon.  

 

 

Worked my way around and after going around a military base, could see San Marco

 

When I got back to San Marco Piazza, saw this sky bridge - I had been in it during a tour but didn't understand where I was. This bridge connects the court of the Doges (left) with the prison (on the right). So after someone was found guilty in the elaborate court, then would be led across this bridge, where they would see light and the sea for the last time before being forced into a dark, horrible dungeon. 

 

 

A few other random shots from today

 

 

[DandDM]

Had lunch under the Rialto bridge. Wanted one more pizza before heading home.

 

[DandDM]

Had a short rest break in the room, and drinking instant coffee now to build up some energy. This evening is a 'Venice after dark" tour (aka: ghost tour). Expecting some pretty good stories while walking some of the dark, small avenues of the city.

 

Then back to night to pack and an early morning tomorrow getting to the airport.

 

Cheers,

[Kathscof]

28 minutes ago, DandDM said:

Had lunch under the Rialto bridge. Wanted one more pizza before heading home.

 

called Bridge of Sighs!

 

So...in my trip to Italy a while back, we passed SO MANY candy stores in Venice with this dark pink candy that looked like a tube with white in the middle....it looked SO GOOD and we didn't get any and then the rest of Italy didn't have it!  So if you saw it and it looked good, don't miss it! hahaha

[DandDM]

To complete my geographic tour of the island, walked to the east side this evening. Very different- there is a big park. Also some busy spots, but generally very chill. 
 

was stopped by the military gate. 
 

 

[DandDM]

1 hour ago, Kathscof said:

called Bridge of Sighs!

 

So...in my trip to Italy a while back, we passed SO MANY candy stores in Venice with this dark pink candy that looked like a tube with white in the middle....it looked SO GOOD and we didn't get any and then the rest of Italy didn't have it!  So if you saw it and it looked good, don't miss it! hahaha

Great advice!

[auburngirl]

4 hours ago, DandDM said:

Had lunch under the Rialto bridge. Wanted one more pizza before heading home.

 

Looks yummy  Do you remember the name of the restaurant or any that you ate at that you would recommend?

[KiwiGal117]

Thanks for a great review!  Entertaining and also informative as we will be on Explorer in September.  Safe travels home.  And this is probably too late but if you come across the Lays Olive Oil potato chips - oh my!  Buy them all... so good.

[DandDM]

1 hour ago, auburngirl said:

Looks yummy  Do you remember the name of the restaurant or any that you ate at that you would recommend?

This place was the Riva Rialto. It was OK, but other than the location, would not recommend it. The best meal I ate was my first pizza at Pizzeria Ae Oche. It might have been the perfect food at the perfect time as I see the place doesn't get great reviews!

 

Overall, I picked places based on location and time, and did no research. As such, didn't get any bad meals, but also didn't get anything that blew my socks off. Will admit that eating/restaurant selection is a weakness in my travel; Dee Dee was always the one that found the fantastic restaurants.  I was hoping that by doing the food tours, would get introduced to some new stuff - which happened, but I never made it back to the places!  Actually, wanted to go back to the risotto place tonight, but ran out of time.

 

So sorry I'm not more help on the subject!  I'm sure others have some recommendation - there was one posted here; I did look that one up, but didn't follow through...

 

Cheers,

[DandDM]

13 minutes ago, KiwiGal117 said:

Thanks for a great review!  Entertaining and also informative as we will be on Explorer in September.  Safe travels home.  And this is probably too late but if you come across the Lays Olive Oil potato chips - oh my!  Buy them all... so good.

You are welcome! I probably ate more snack food than I should have, but didn't try those.  Next time 🙂

 

Grabbed these right before the tour; they looked/stated like bugles.  

Edited May 17, 2023 by DandDM

[Kathscof]

I realized I don't like Venetian food last time I went there, so much so that I pitched a "subdued" fit and went to Rossopomodoro, an Italian chain restaurant from Napoli where I knew I would get the type of food I like 🙂  I like my southern food!  

 

 

 

 

[DandDM]

A couple of logistic things...

 

Found a laundry mat around the corner from the hotel; I recall someone talking about doing laundry, so here you go! I used a D+ benefit to get a bag washed on the ship - would not have been able to pack as light as I did without doing that.

 

Also, saw this sign (it was at the water bus station next to Rialto Bridge). I don't know any more than what is on the sign, but a pretty cheap option for getting to the airport!

 

 

 

[DandDM]

Quick report on the tour tonight - Venice Legends, Anecdotes and Ghost Stories. It was a fun 90 minute walking tour; heard new stories and history about Venice and met some fun people. The guide took us down some old, small and dark passageways and we learned about murder and vice in the old days. Of note, she told us that the most haunted buildings in Venice are the old monasteries, many of which have now been converted to hotels. Hint: most reported complaint is babies crying...when there are none in the hotel.

 

Also learned that some of the small and winding alleys were made that way on purpose so the elite could use them to sneak around. Similar for the masks that were used to hide identities during Carnivale and other social events.

 

Some random photos from the walk.  

 

A 'secret' alley that went from a casino to the canal for a fast escape in your personal gondola; photo doesn't capture it, but ceiling is about four feet high:

 

This rich guy had a staircase built that would allow him to ride his horse to the top floor. Story is that he would throw people he didn't like from there. 

 

Examples of some masks

 

 

Just thought this was pretty; don't recall a story to go with it!

 

 

This could be the last post for a little while, unless I have a chance to post from the airport. Most likely will wrap this up with an (hopefully) uneventful recap of the travels home once I get there.

 

Thanks for following along, the fun part is over 😞

 

Cheers,

Edited May 17, 2023 by DandDM
typo

[DandDM]

26 minutes ago, Kathscof said:

I realized I don't like Venetian food last time I went there, so much so that I pitched a "subdued" fit and went to Rossopomodoro, an Italian chain restaurant from Napoli where I knew I would get the type of food I like 🙂  I like my southern food!  

 

 

 

 

Interesting; I was thinking that the food was better in Rome, but assumed I just didn't go to the right places!

[#55worktoplay]

Great trip report.   Thanks!
 

Sorry for your loss. 

[DandDM]

5 hours ago, #55worktoplay said:

Great trip report.   Thanks!
 

Sorry for your loss. 

Glad you enjoyed!

[DandDM]

10 hours ago, KiwiGal117 said:

Thanks for a great review!  Entertaining and also informative as we will be on Explorer in September.  Safe travels home.  And this is probably too late but if you come across the Lays Olive Oil potato chips - oh my!  Buy them all... so good.

Found some at the airport!  Bought a bag for later. 

[DandDM]

Quick update on this morning. 
 

woke up to sunny skies, sad to be leaving is this wonderful weather, but also glad to not have to navigate rain. 
 

 

Had one last breakfast and cappuccino at the hotel. 
 

driver was there a few minutes early, felt bad that he handled my little bag, but he insisted. He had a van waiting in the parking area past the Roma campo.  Photo is of the parking lot, not the van  

 

 

 

[DandDM]

Recap of the trip to the airport: from when we left the hotel to arriving at the airport was 30 minutes. About 20 of that was the drive. It took 15 minutes for me to find the correct place and check my bag. 
 

security took just over 20 minutes, could have been quicker but I was in the slow lane apparently. I think it was the first time the people in front of me had ever been through security based on how long it took them. 
 

Been wondering around for 20 minutes or so and have another hour until flight is supposed to take off…currently no gate assigned. Per the board, most flights over an hour out don’t have gates, so maybe a first come, first serve thing?

 

its busy at the airport…seems pretty small!

 

cheers

[Kathscof]

13 hours ago, DandDM said:

Interesting; I was thinking that the food was better in Rome, but assumed I just didn't go to the right places!

Hahahha maybe you’re a southerner at heart too! 

 

It’s hard to explain as how you said that Venetian cuisine has a lot of seafood, the coastal areas in the south also have a lot of seafood, but it’s just....”different” 

[DandDM]

Finally getting to this 'wrap up' message; no issues getting home, just been pretty busy since I got here.

 

Looks like I got really lucky; apparently there was a strike the day after I left which affected transportation, and the following cruise on the Explorer cannot go to Ravena because of flooding and is being rerouted. So my minimal issue with getting a bus to Venice seems pretty trivial!

 

The flights home were fine; the connecting flight from Paris to Seattle was delayed almost an hour - and Charles de Gaulle was an adventure!  My gate was in Terminal 2E - M.  They have a lot of 2E terminals, I noticed, so struggled a little bit to find M. Eventually ended up downstairs in a queue, which led to a ride on a bus. The bus was packed, and the driver appeared to take pleasure at throwing us around by accelerating into corners and stopping very quickly. Very uncomfortable ride and people were bouncing off of strangers. When we got to 2E - M, was disappointed as it was a very large terminal, and had maybe twenty stores, but very few eating options. The stores were high end clothing and accessory places mostly. 

 

Got a Jambon Baguette from a stand (no sit down options) which was surprisingly good (i forgot just how much I like French made bread!). After wandering through the place twice, found a bar in the middle of the seating area (no idea how I missed it if the first time), so hung out there. Service was horrible and seats were uncomfortable, but the beer was cold!

 

Flight to Seattle was smooth and uneventful - actually got some sleep this time! Two meals - the 'fancy' one had an option of vegetarian lasagna or chicken. I went with the lasagna and it was ok, but not as good as the meal on the flight over. Second meal was more of snack, a warm chicken wrap with a slightly spicy BBQ sauce, which was actually very tasty.  To help sleep, I partook in the red wine offered. It was served in a paper cup, but the crew was very accommodating and kept filling it up for me. My teeth were probably pretty disgusting when we landed, but the wine did help me get a few hours sleep!

 

Customs in Seattle were very easy, although it was a very long walk. Ride was waiting and was soon home.

 

Spent the last couple days unpacking, cleaning, doing yard work and generally getting back to regular life. Jet leg hasn't been too bad, although it has been a struggle to stay up to 9 or 10 PM each night to get back on a regular sleep schedule - and I've been waking up in the middle of the night. Back to work tomorrow.

 

On the cruise front, don't think I mentioned this: on the last day booked a four-day, cruise on the Navigator this November for me and my two boys (21 and 25). None of us know if we can get the time off yet, but at least we have something on the calendar!  They are excited as it will be their first cruise as adults. 

 

Thanks again to everyone that followed along with my ramblings; I appreciated the questions, encouraging comments, and reactions to posts. I hope you all enjoyed. For me, it was sometimes a bit a chore to log in and report, but it was worth it for the opportunity to share my activities and thoughts. Will also admit that there were a few times that I might have wanted to spend the afternoon in my room or in a pub, but felt I had an obligation to do something!  And I'm glad I did those things!

 

Cheers,

Edited May 21, 2023 by DandDM
more ramblings

[Nygryll38]

Thank you so much for your review. I felt like I was on the trip with you. 

[ILOVESHIPS]

Great  reviews of all your  ports and excursions.  Thank you.  Keep  cruising.

[Lazonia]

Thanks so much for taking us along.   I've learned a lot and really enjoyed the trip.