Selo Travels Europe

Monday, July 28 …  This will be a day to remember! We loaded the bus at 6:00AM for a 40 minute drive down the coast to the town of Rovinj.  It’s a town like you see on a postcard of a Mediterranean village.  The old buildings are colourful with clay tile roofs and all the windows have shutters with floral window boxes.  As we walk down the narrow cobblestone streets to the port where we will load the boat, shop owners are emerging to set up their markets and cafes.

For our trip to Venice we go through border crossing stations in Croatia, as well as, in Italy.  The boat trip takes about 2.5 hours across the Adriatic Sea (which was very calm for our trip there and back).  Once in Venice, we become one of the over 50 million people that will visit here in a year …. that’s about 1 million people per week!  We quickly realize why this is one of the most visited cities in the world … it’s extraordinarily unique.  A city with no road ways … only walkways and canals.

Martin takes us through a labyrinth of walkways, over small bridges, passing hundreds of little shops, before we arrive at St. Marco Square.  There are thousands of people, more shops, market stands, St. Marco Basilica, and as well cafes with live musicians.  We made our way through the crowds a little farther and arrive at Realto Bridge ... the largest bridge, over the main canal.

At the base of the Realto Bridge we rent gondolas.  The boats are 11 meters long and about 1.5 meter wide, and diligently kept in immaculate condition.  The charismatic gondoliers expertly guide us through the peaceful canals around Venice.  There aren’t really words to describe it the experience.  For a moment we are in ‘the postcard’.   For many, the gondola ride will be one of the top travel experiences of their life.

The rest of the afternoon we shop, eat and try not to get lost in the maze of narrow walkways amongst the tens of thousands of people. In early evening we board our boat back to Rovinj where our bus awaits us to take us back to the hotel for a late supper.  

After dinner, a few of the dancers go for a moonlight swim in the sea.  The parents relax on the shore sipping on European blueberry wine and liqueur.  What a day!

Having a breakfast snack by the docks in Rovinj at 6:00AM..

Walking to the dock where we catch our boat to Venice ... the markets are getting ready for the day.

On the upper deck of our boat.  Emily reminds us of our exciting destination!

St. Marco Square in Venice. Thousands of people ... and pigeons!

Selo arrives in Venice, Italy!

Realto Bridge spanning the largest canal in Venice.

On a gondola cruising the canals in Venice .... are you kidding me?!!

The Peper family and Brett enjoying a tranquil float down a canal.

The Pelepiuk family, Veronica and Anastasia stepping out of an experience they will never forget!

Definitely ... the high-lite of the day was the gondola ride through the canals of Venice.

'Lady Veronica' found the perfect hat to help stay out of the scorching sun.

Danika and Lukas found some matching cranial adornment!

On the boat heading back to Rovinj ... the Pelepiuks are all smiles after a great day in Venice.

Venice makes the smiles infectious!