Day 5 - Mira - Venice - Salzburg - Piding

Mira to Venice
Venice to Salzburg
Salzburg to Piding

Woke up in Mira, had a lovely provided breakfast and saddled up for the short drive from Mira to Venice. After the 20 minute drive, which includes crossing a large bridge over the estuary we arrived in Venice. No canals or boats yet we had arrived at the parking/bus depot. After sitting in a traffic jam just to park (it took longer to park than to drive there) we were sent to the top of the car park which had some stunning views of the city as we were 9 floors up. Venice is simply amazing, stunning(a bit mind bending really) and beautiful. It isn't what I expected at all and i thinj is probably pretty unique in the world.

The city reeks of history and past power. There are canals everywhere and bridges to cross them, but what I didn't expect was the little alley ways that the locals and tourists squeeze through to get form place to place. The alley ways are very tight as space is obviously at a massive preimum in the city. We think that the city must be an amazingly hard place to learn your way around, with tight alleys, water blocking your path and dead ends. We managed to find dead fairly quickly after entering the city proper, don't presume all bridges in Venice lead somewhere. We eventually got a map on our Iphone and headed to St Marks square (the cities formal meeting place)Also on our travels we noted that boat is used to transport everything, boats passed us loaded with building materials, groceries and even dead bodies! A funeral boat passed us with coffin on display! Also there are traffic lights for the water and John noted they drive their boats on the right!

We eventually got to St Marks square, amazing! The St Marks Campline dominate the sky line, its almost 100 metres high, at one end of the square is the basilica and the moor clock-tower. Around the square various cafes ply their trade. We were drawn to the one playing music, there was 5 a piece band playing various classical pieces. The waiters were all uniformed in white and we realised this was going to be expensive. I had an espresso and John tried the 1720 Venice tea blend. Both the drinks, the music and atmosphere was incredibly relaxing. It felt great to be there at that place. We chilled there for a while and then paid up, I believe the tea cost around 13 pound. Well worth it.

After refreshments we went to see the shore line and the monuments close up, the intrices of the moor clocktown beligh to its age, It's over 500 years old. We decided to dip into the shops, venice is famous for its masks, glassworks and other artiostries. We found ourself with avery helpful shop owner who spent a good deal explaining Venitian history and culture. after making our purchases, again not cheap ( a reacurrin theme in venice) we headed to the shore line again. We didn't want to leave but Salzburg was waiting. We decided that gondala's were a bit romantic for us so we looked for a water taxi, one to have a ride an two because the car park is really quite a long way from where we were. The taxi was expensive (60 euros) but what a way to travel. Very quick and effeciant and lets face it we ain't in venice every day.

We got to our car and fought our way out of the city. Sad to leave Venice it was really a great place but on to Salzburg. It was quite a long drive, cutting almost straight north. We drove past amazing scenery disecting thr4ough the mountains and entering Austria. The became cooler as we headed north abd the greenery more green, not that we though that it was possible. Again it was a race against time as the sun was going to set and we wanted to see the city before it did.

We arrived with a little under an hour of sunset. Again what a fantastic place, but very different from venice. I don't think I have ever been anywhere as clean. We parked near the old city and walked in, We accidentally bumped into the birth place of Mozart and took the obligatory pictures. The city was a lot calmer than Venice, with a lot less tourists. The baroque architecture is brilliant, the entire old town attained UN status as a World Heritage Site. Of note is the Salzburg Cathedral which after the grandeur ostentatiousness of St Marks Basilica was refreshing and just as impressive. We bagan to feel hungary, ofcoursre not daring to eat in Venice for fear of bankrupt. We decided to go local and vist a wurst wagon on the street, lots of locals were trying the fair indicting it was good stuff. After having the national dish of sausage, various types we were hungry we had anoth walk aroud to soak up the culture and then headed back to the car.

A short journey saw us crossing into the third country of the day, Germany. Piding is where we were staying, a tiny hamlet just across the boarder. John had chosen it for its silly name. A very pleasant welcome and comfortable beds.

Mira to Venice 15 Miles

Venice to Salzburg 170 Miles

Salzburg to Piding 15 Miles

Total 200 Miles