Our train arrived at Venezia Mestre station around 9am in the morning. We dropped off our bags at the hotel and then headed to Venice on the bus. We then took a vaporetto (water bus) along the canal before disembarking at St. Mark’s Square. In quick succession, we visited the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Cathedral before taking a quick walking tour of the square. (At the Doge’s Palace, we learned that St. Mark was not the original saint of Venice, but rather St. Theodore, slayer of crocodiles.) We then proceeded to take Rick Steves’s advice and get lost in Venice while trying to find our way back to the bus stop.

I think Valerie regrets that we are staying in Mestre instead of on the island. The 30 minute bus ride to the city and back is a bit inconvenient and I feel like we are missing out on the evening charm of Venice. If we ever return, we’re definitely staying in the city, even if we need to haul our luggage across half of it to do so.