Episode 47: Postcard from the Grand Canal, Venice Italy Travel Share
Ciao From Italy and Welcome to Podcast #47
After a few days in Venice and a few days wandering around in Milan I made the sweet decision to stop and share a little podcast from the edge of the Grand Canal. What a beautiful thing to do. Here are some of the details and places I mentioned in this little catch up / share….
I recorded the podcast just a little beyond this location standing near the Vaporetto stop of San Marcuola on the Grand Canal in the Cannaregio District of Venice.
My first afternoon in Venice was absolutely beautiful wandering beyond the main Campo and onto the Fondamenta where I stopped for a meal and a wonderful Spritz. 
Here I am at a wonderful restaurant I discovered just wandering the laneways and canals of the Cannaregio. Here is the perfect 'Fritto Misto' of seafood and vegetables that was sublime to say the least, especially after a rather big day leaving Milano Centrale for the Santa Lucia Railway Station in Venice. This Ristorante is called 'Levante' and you can find it on the beautiful Fondamenta Miseri-cordia. They specialise in Pesce.... A wonderfully friendly place, and sitting outside on the footpath was the perfect way to introduce myself to Venice that first afternoon.
A personal image of the view outside my Apartment/Accomodation when looking out of the window at sunset. I loved it because it just felt so local and peaceful. And seriously who wouldn't love to see pretty pink houses out of their window every single day?
There are a thousand images of Venice, but this is the classic, when you wander down to San Marco weaving in and out of narrow streets to finally find yourself in San Marco, and then this....it's all just there waiting for you.
I mentioned in the podcast I stayed an extra day in Venice and took the train to Padua/Padova for a visit. This is only 30-45 minutes depending on which train you take, and I highly recommend a visit to Padua. It is one of my favourite cities. I went for a few reasons, a little research, and to visit the historic Pedrocchi Caffe where this photo was taken. 
Padua is a wonderful open Italian city. The Centro has many generous piazzas and a number of historic buildings. The University is one of the oldest in Italy and the Basilica of Saint Anthony is on the Pilgrimage route. One of my favourite places is the small church where Giotto's fresco "The Last Judgement" is preserved in the Cappella degli Scrovegni. There is so much I love about this city. Padua also has beautiful outdoor markets for all sorts of goodies and a fantastic indoor market for fresh food too. Every one rides bicycles and the cafe life is all happening. And funny, this is my second visit to this city and it rained again. But that was no problem, I just sat under the porticos and sipped a coffee and enjoyed the day to day ambience of the Venetian City. 
The Prato della Valle, the largest square in Italy. This is quite a wonderful place with the one of the many canals moving through the elliptical square.
There are many beautiful architectural displays and Cafes in the Centro Storico of Padua/Padova.
In the podcast I mentioned my stay in Milano. I visited the 'Last Supper' by Leonardo Da Vinci (1494-1498) and the Basilica of Santa Maria Delle Grazie in Milan....The first place on my list for visiting while staying in Milan. Blog Post to Read from my Travels in Milano, Italy: Milan North Star
Wandering the streets just taking my time on my way back from Navigli. I really loved the mood of the Carrobbio area I stayed in, very hip and fun, there were always people sitting in bars drinking coffee or sipping a spritz. 
A little Venetian magic here. Venice. Venice is a dream and remains a little mythical really. And still after five or so days I only touched the periphery and still wonder when I might go back and see some more. The truth is I feel that way about all of Italy, yet Venice still remains a little illusive.....
Cannaregio - Campo del Ghetto NovoI have only a few regrets from this trip and one of them was not doing the tour of the Jewish Ghetto in Venice. I was right there and possibly I was thinking about getting out of the rain, but what I should have done was make a booking to understand more about this fascinating area in Venice....
Walking along the Fondamenta San Giobbe
Often in Venice there are many people wandering the well beaten paths, but here in the Campo de Ghetto Novo is heritage, beauty and the Jewish Community still thrives. With five historic Synagogues this sestiere (district) is a fascinating area that is a short walk from the busy Santa Lucia Railway Station.