A day in Venice for less than 25 euros

A relaxed day in Venice was had for the cost of two 2nd class return rail tickets from Padua, four pieces of fruit from the market, two sandwiches, a coffee and a bottle of fizzy water - all up cost just under 25 euros.

Venice today was much more enjoyable than our previous visit in 2009. Despite the fact that there were still significant numbers of tourists, we being among them, the crowds appeared to be less dense, and you could actually stroll down the myriad of narrow streets and laneways without feeling the pressure of having to move with the crowd. The visit was enhanced by the knowledge that we were not in a hurry; being only 25 minutes away by train we can go back to Venice any time.

We did the predictable things - visited the fresh food market, followed the tinsel trail to St Marks Basilica, ate our lunch in the square, gawped at the endless array of famous buildings and monuments, mocked the tourists who had paid a small fortune to ride in a gondola, took lots of photos, tracked down the only two public toilets in all of Venice, drank coffee as life passed us by on the Grand Canal, and then caught the train back to Padua so that we could be home for cheese, biscuits and drinks by 4:00 pm. A good day - and the weather continues to be perfect.

D2