Flying into Venice
Getting in from the Airport
I flew into Venice Marco Polo Airport from London to begin my solo Italian Adventure in early spring, hoping to get ahead of the crowds. This trip was taking me to visit Venice, Florence, Siena, Pisa and Cinque Terre, making full use of the fantastic train network.
I booked my seat on the right hand side of the plane as I had been told this gave the best views of Venice as you come in to land……after seeing amazing views of the Swiss and Italian Alps on the flight, my plan for fabulous views of Venice was thwarted by the rain, leaving me with a dismal grey scene below. Not what I had anticipated, but it was still exciting to see the causeway that goes from the mainland into Venice, and I could just make out the bell tower in Piazza San Marco rising up into the haze.
Oh well, it’s all part of the adventure!
There was quite a bit of planning that went into the whole trip to Italy, to make sure I could easily manage my luggage to get from various methods of transport to my hotel with a minimum of fuss – the weather was an added complication, just another thing to deal with.
My research had uncovered that I could catch the Alilaguna Water Bus from the Airport Docks directly to a few of the ferry stops along the Grand Canal, with that in mind I booked to stay at the Rialto Hotel, which is just next to the Rialto ferry stop, and more importantly, right next to Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal.
Once off the plane and I collected my luggage, then looked for signs directing me to ‘Water Transport’. Following these signs I made my way on to a few moving walkways before I eventually came to a ticket office where I bought my ferry ticket, then was directed to where the boat would be waiting.
Getting on to the boat, the ticket gets clipped and you then need to get yourself and your luggage on to the boat.
It is not the job of the Skipper, or the crew member, to help you with your luggage, so don’t expect it. (They are more likely to help you if you don’t expect them to).
It seems many thousands of rude tourists have worn them down.
The entry to the boat is level with the wharf, so you only need to lift your luggage over the gap. When I say “gap”, it is only big enough to catch the wheels of your suitcase, not big enough to drop the whole thing into the water!! That would require a whole other level of skill! Suitcases stay on this level with the Skipper, so put your suitcase where you are asked to leave it, placing it on its side, so it doesn’t roll around on its wheels, then you go downstairs and take a seat.
The seats are low in the boat, and the windows are high, so getting fabulous views of Venice as you come in are difficult, and as it was raining the windows fogged up anyway and opening them meant we got wet!! I know this, because someone did…..
Once out in the lagoon we went hurtling past the island of Murano, past the northern side of Venice and entered the Grand Canal up near Venice Railway Station, which is located at the end of the causeway. We made a couple of stops before passing under Rialto Bridge, my cue to get ready to get off.
The boat pulled into Rialto ferry stop and this is where there was a moment of difficulty that I hadn’t planned for, the boat went past where I was expecting it to stop – Yikes – There are two Rialto ferry stops!!!
The Alilaguna boats pull into the one furthest away from the Rialto Hotel, about 50 metres further – and just at that moment there was a sudden down pour of rain, and I now had a small bridge to get my luggage across to get back near my hotel! I could feel my dignified arrival in Venice dissolving in the rain.
After grabbing my suitcase and getting off the boat, there were so many people sheltering in the little ferry stop, I quickly ran into the first open doorway I saw so I could get my umbrella out. I then had to lift my suitcase up a small flight of steps to cross the small bridge and then back down the other side. Now I was back on track, near the other Rialto ferry stop outside my hotel.
I sloshed into the foyer of my lovely hotel, trying not to drip everywhere, while the doorman helped me with my luggage and I sorted out my umbrella and raincoat. I went to the reception desk to check in and was taken up to my Venetian home. A quick dry off, and I was out exploring – Venice is beautiful no matter what the weather is like.
I have arrived!! Let the Italian Adventure begin!!!
To read more stories about Venice click here
