We couldn't resist visiting Venice

Sunday Sep 29th
Although we'd visited Venice before nine years ago, we were so close here in Lido that we felt we just had to take that short trip across on the water bus to experience Piazza San Marco once more. And it was worth it. Yes it was busy, but it didn't feel oppressive. We lost ourselves in the maze of narrow streets in between the canals, like you're supposed to! Found a great hidden-away restaurant for lunch.

Palazzo Ducale

Getting lost in the maze of streets and canals is great fun



Riding the water bus through the Grand Canal

Basicilica di San Marco.
I'll never tire of seeing this piece of architecture - so many intricate details to take in


Monday Sept 30th
This was the day we would leave Venice and head to the mainland and to the conclusion of this cycle tour. We had plenty of time while in Lido to figure out the appropriate ferry that would take us and our bikes over to Tronchetto where we could then carry on riding across the causeway which I'd determined had a bike lane.

In this campground that had been home for three nights, we'd had some good company. A Belgian couple had done a 10 day cycle tour from Tirol to Venice and were hanging out in Venice to see lots of art. Another French fellow arrived on Sunday and he had been on his bike since July, having started near Nante. Now he was going to return to France via the Po River route, part of which we had done.
There were other cyclists as well, but we (read Frank) failed to engage them in conversation!

Anyway, at 10am on Monday we left the campground where the staff were already busy cleaning and shutting everything down for the season. The ferry crossing was beautiful because we had amazing views of San Marco and the beginning of the Grand Canal. But this ferry then took the outer Giudecca Canal on the south side of Venice, offering us new views.

Waiting for our ferry at Lido, just down the road from the campground

Enjoying the views from the top deck


Riding across that causeway after getting off the ferry was smooth sailing. A bike lane separated from traffic and trains made it a breeze.

After a hotel overnight in Mestre, we picked up our rental car today, Tuesday, and the bikes and gear got loaded. Notice the cardboard on the bottom - yes we already found bike boxes in a bike shop just beside our hotel. Mission accomplished! Now we're off on a car adventure for a few days


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