Day 1: In the morning we started our tour towards Venice with our Bonnies. The wheaterforecast was quite well and the temperature in the morning was 11 degree Celsius. Our first stop was planned 260 km away in Carinthia at a petrol station nearby the highway. The Bonnies did well and so we reached after two and a half hours, due to many construction sites on the highway, our first destination, were we had some coffee and bakery. After refuelling we headed to the bordercrossing in Arnoldstein and stepped into Italy. In Italy, there is still an old toll system where you have to take a ticket and then pay for the distance covered in cash or by credit card when you leave the highway. Today it was particularly tedious because the ticket machine had a defect when issuing tickets and an employee issued the tickets by hand. On departure after 290 km, we had to pay in cash because the electronic banking system was not working. The price for this was €18.20 ($19.4). After leaving the highway, we drove to Maestre a neighboring town of Venice and moved into a very nice apartment that will serve as our quarters for the next few days. Tomorrow we will take the bus to Venice. To be continued. I'm taking the heavy load. Our apartment for the next days. @Sandi T: Our coffee machine was on board too. Our first day:
@Markus I hope the two of you have a fantastic trip! Your first day sounds rather adventurous though not always of the type I'm sure you're wishing for. But you arrived safe and sound...and to a lovely apartment by the looks of it. Markus, I'm glad to see the your coffee machine made the trip, too. Perhaps that's why you were taking the heavy load?! I'm eager to see more about your travels in your next trip installment!
Day 2 - Part 1: Today we took the public bus to the old town of Venice. There are some parking garages and also special motorcycle parking at the beginning of the old town, but it is recommended to arrive by public transport! Away from the costs there is an incredible chaos, which can be regulated from noon only by the police. After our 20-minute bus ride, we stepped into Venice. Over countless small and large bridges and incredibly narrow streets, you can get to all the sights of the city on winding paths. Beautiful historic buildings and squares can be seen. But at all the well-known highlights form incredible queues that can be several hundred meters long! It is recommended to arrive early in the morning, so that you are at least further ahead in the queue when the opening hours are reached. We looked at everything only from the outside and walked through the whole old town. In the small streets you can find very nice cafes or bistros, where you can enjoy Italian delicacies at moderate prices. The closer you get to the center of the old town, the higher the prices. You will also find a street where all luxury brands offer their products such as jewelry, watches and clothing worth a brand new Triumph Rocket 3 and beyond. Having already been there at just before 0800 hours, we took the bus back to our quarters after about 5 hours, dodging the onset of midday heat. The sightseeing of Venice is recommended only for people who are good on foot, because thousands of steps must be mastered during a foray through the city. Below I have attached a few impressions. Tomorrow we make a small tour with about 300 km and visit the city of Grado. To be continued. You need a bridge or a boat to reach your house entrance in Venice sometimes! Venetian "parking lot"
Day 2 - Part 2: In the following I will come up with well known and some other highlights of Venice. The famous Campanile San Marcos Place with the San Marcos Cathedral in the background and the Dogen Palace on the right side. The queue at the entrance to the San Marcos Cathedral The Rialto bridge The bridge of sighs Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute Venetian garbage collection Two espressi with delicious bakery
Day 2- Part 3: At last some Venetian "specials". Venetian "traffic jam" Normaly the supermarkets are supported by lorries. Due to missing streets it is done by boats. These photo models populate the whole city and are quite naughty!
Ahh, such wonderful sights of Venice, @Markus! Mr. Sandi and I were there in 2009 and your photos bring back such wonderful memories. Thank you for sharing your Venetian adventures and vacation with us!
We went to Milan, Venice, and Rome on that Italy trip, @Markus. While I enjoyed each city, Venice was my favorite.
Day 3: Today we did a short tour to the city of Grado. Unfortunately, the weather did not show its best side today. Strong wind, clouds covered sky were our constant companion. Shortly before the former Roman garrison Aquilaea with numerous excavations caught us then a strong thunderstorm. We fled to a cafe on the side of the road and met numerous cyclists who also wanted to protect themselves from the storm. We spent the waiting time with espressi and tramezini. After about half an hour, everything was over and even the sun let itself be seen again at times. We and the Bonnies dried during the further ride to Grado again. In Grado we rode to the harbor and then on to a beach bistro where we treated ourselves to gnocchi alla pomodoro. After another espresso each, we began the return trip to our quarters. Our trip covered about 330 kilometers and we were on the road for about 6 hours, including all the culinary breaks. Tomorrow it goes then again home. To be continued. The thunderstorm has passed and the sun is back again. The beach at the city of Grado The harbour in the City of Grado Some italian meals in the beach bistro Mrs waiting for the photographer. The Bonnies are "chained together" for the last night in Italy.
More wonderful photos and lots of adventures today, @Markus! It's always nice to drown weather sorrows with great food and espresso. Have fun on your last day tomorrow!
Day 4: Today we started our return trip home at 0700 hours in 20 degree Celsius weather. The first 250 kilometers were quite pleasant to ride because of the low traffic. From the border of Austria, the weather played a trick on us again. Our Bonnies almost turned into submarines on the following 300 kilometers to home. But we did not let ourselves be stopped and were back home after 545 kilometers and just under 6 hours. The temperature of 11 degrees Celsius unfortunately does not correspond to the actual season. During our weekend trip, we covered a total of 1,357 kilometers. Our Bonnies have proven themselves very well. The consumption was 4,7l/100 km with my Bonnie and with that of my wife it was 4,4l/100 km. In one week we will go to France with our TIGERs. I will report to you then.
Really enjoyed your trip photos @Markus. I have not been, but have seen many food and travel documentaries. Thank you for sharing and very happy you both enjoyed your trip. Looking forward to this weeks venture.
What a trip @Markus and wonderful photos; I have never been to Venice and would definitely like to one day. It's a shame the weather was cruel to you at times, we're having really cool temperatures for the time of year in the UK too - it only reached 12c today. Very strange.