Venice, Italy - Day 1

Water

Venice is a city in Italy which is really cool because everything is done by water - there are no roads for cars (there are narrow streets for walking) but all travel and deliveries etc has to be done by boat.  Rather than car taxis there are water taxis.  Food and construction materials are delivered by boat, even the ambulances and police go by boat.  

 

 

On the way from the airport to the hotel, they dropped us at the hotel's own dock!



 

arriving at the first canal

Painters have to paint from the boats!

A policeman patrolling the Grand Canal

Travelling though the canals.

Even construction trucks need to be moved by boat.

Venice is having a really big problem with the rising water level. Many homes on the water have had to block off their first level and only use the upper stories in their houses.

Gondolas

Venice is famous for their gondolas.  The gondola is a traditional, flat-bottomed Venetian rowing boat, well suited to the conditions of the Venetian lagoon. For centuries gondolas were the chief means of transportation and most common watercraft within Venice.  Today though they are mostly used by tourists to go along the canals.  If you are lucky (or you pay more money), your gondola driver will sing Italian songs to you.