The Nights are Cold

Venice
Our first time in Venice and we'd decided to risk the chance of flooding and go in Winter.
And whilst we enjoyed four days of beautiful crisp, dry January days, we were delayed a little getting there as we waited for the fog to lift around Marco Polo airport.

Venice, Italy

Whilst you have road and  rail options of getting to the city I would recommend choosing the water option. You're in Venice! From the very modern and big Marco Polo airport in Venice we followed the signs for the water transport to the city for what seemed like a very long time. Eventually we joined the small queue (but I dread to think what it might be like in summer) for the Alilaguna public transport water bus (orange line) and headed across the Venetian Lagoon towards the city.

The Rialto Bridge bathed in sunshine, Venice

It was a very relaxing way of getting into the city. It takes around 50 minutes and there is not a lot more you can do other than sit back and enjoy the swell. We departed at the famous Rialto bridge, which was as busy as we'd been fore-warned, but it was bathed in a wonderful yellow glow and was a sight to behold! The incredible light of Venice was to be a feature throughout our stay.
Our hotel was only a five minute walk from the bridge and they had provided an excellent photographic guide of how to get there through the maze of back streets, canals and bridges. We certainly needed it!

Gondolas on the canal, Venice.

So we found our hotel on the busy thoroughfare of Salizada San Lio, and they kindly took us to our apartment just around the corner. The hotel apartment had windows opening up onto some of the smaller canals, and there was a constant stream of water traffic passing by. It's quite a bizarre sight watching a gondola drift past your window over breakfast.

Gondolier, Venice

Our delay in getting to Venice meant our afternoon recce and familiarisation was curtailed, so our first proper experience of the exploring the city was at night. It was a lovely surprise to discover how quiet the streets were, almost deserted.

Venice by night.

Part of our (enjoyable) research for our first trip to Venice was watching the 1970s film 'Don't look now'. The famous horror stars Donald Sutherland and and Julie Christie, although the real star is the city of Venice. It looks incredible in the film and it looks pretty much the same now as it did in 1973!
Walking the city at night, it doesn't take much of an imagination for the eerie passages and bridges between canals to transport you back in time.
And as you walk through the hushed Venice streets you can hear your footsteps resonate on the cobbles, and reflect back at you from the close walls and still waters. It's almost like there is a roof, sealing you in a magical sound stage.
And the views at every turn are a photographer's dream.

St Mark's Square by night. Venice.

We navigate the twists and turns of San Marco with hardly passing a soul. So when we finally arrive at the restaurant, it's a pleasant surprise to open the doors to a busy, bustling restaurant, full of atmosphere. We weren't the only folk venturing into the night.
A wonderful introduction to Venice.

Shadows and bridges, Venice.