There is only really one way to see Venice and that’s by foot. Using water transport is an option but there are so many watercraft it is simply faster to walk. Be prepared for constantly checking your map as the streets follow the curves of the canals and you can very easily head in ever increasing circles.

It’s fun though as the place is interesting, with amazing food and trinkets, but you need to go a few streets back from the main tourist areas to discover the gems that exist. We found that the food is better, or at least more authentic, and the prices drop away a little from the main tourist areas.

We continue our exploring and include the big ticket items such as the Bridge of Sighs. There is an interesting history to this enclosed bridge that spans the Rio de Palazzo. It was built in 1614, the “Ponte dei Sospiri” connects the inquisitors’ offices in the Doge’s Palace to the “New Prisons”, the first building in the world to be designed specifically to serve only for detention. Generally being sent to detention meant you had little chance of coming out alive so the name of the bridge refers to the heavy sighs of convicted who, crossing the bridge to go to prison, knew they were probably seeing Venice for the last time.

As you would expect from this city, there are more bridges than you can photograph in a day and the best medium for it seems to be black and white as the contrast in light and shadow works better than in most places. So please excuse my preference for the more dramatic photo style.

We start to find our niche within the city and discover ways to a number of different areas that the locals frequent. It makes a huge difference as you tend to be accepted better as you have made an attempt to escape the pack. We find some brilliant bars and cafes where the drinks are refreshing and the accompanying snacks are delicious. It makes the long walks that much more inviting.

Canals, canals and more canals. From grand ones to tiny ones, they are the lifeblood of the district. It’s particularly interesting to watch morning deliveries of fresh food, drinks and even the local milkman using boats along the canals to get to the different premises. We even see the day to day struggle of removalists trying to pack boats with a household of belongings. It makes their job that much more difficult.

After a few days here I don’t think there aren’t too many streets left to walk. We have managed to clock up about 50 kilometres of wandering but there is still more to see. Unfortunately our time has come to an end for this part of the journey as we head off today to Lake Como for a few days before heading home.

Highlights of Venice are many but the main one is the feel of the place. There is nowhere else we have been in our travels that has the same presence. It seems to be totally unique and for that we love it.

You can sit in a cafe in a side street and watch the crowds wander by, walk the Grand Canal and see a cruise ship being towed past, eat fresh pasta with fresh seafood and simply look at the various eras of architecture that seem to come together to make beautiful facade. Add to this the canal system, the local love for music and arts and you have a place that is totally alive.

Thanks Venice – your hospitality has been amazing.