19th August - Budapest to Venice

Accommodation in Venice was a camping ground and it sucked! Tiny 3 bed cabin but with aircon thank god. It was a little too close to randoms for my comfort! The grounds had a pool, bar, restaurant and was out of town, across the bridge. The Afternoon I arrived I went for a wander into town and its endless maze of canals. I gave up on trying to use a map or trying to find anywhere in particular. So really it was just wandering. Lots of tourists and really hot but no smell like everyone says.

I met up with Haylen & Helen (English girls from Busabout) back at the camp ground for dinner, drinks and a dance.

20th August
I spent the whole day exploring the city. Instead of using a map you just follow the signs pointing to the main squares. Some walkways are really narrow, hard for 2 people to pass. You never really know if you are going the right way but as long as you keep following the signs to the square you want to go towards, you should end up in the right place. In the arvo i went on a walking tour and a gondala ride. It was enjoyable and fun to watch them manouver the boats around.

The town itself is just a maze of rivers and streets. I was suprised that the water is still blue, i expected it to be brown and a lot dirtier.

21st August
Yesterday I saw most of the town so i decided to head to the beach which was the opposite direction to the city from the camping grounds.After about an hour of travel i arrived at a beach North of Venice and it was just endless chairs and umbrellas. Not very crowded but i guess it has to get busy at some time for all these chairs! Apartments lined the beach however it wasnt a large city, just a small town with one main street paralle to the beach with restaurants and shops. In the arvo i went back into Venice and climbed the Bell Tower to watch the sunset - absolutely glorious views!I then did some last minute shopping and got lost trying to find my way home! I had been walking the same route every day so i decided to take the allternate route - bad idea! Just made the bus back to the camping ground and the dark quiet alleys had me a little on edge! But I eventually found my way out the other side so all is good!

I think 2 and a half days in Venice was heaps of time. Really only needed a day to do the city and then half a day to shop and re-visit places if want to.