Day 359–360: Trieste to Jesolo & A Day in Venice
🌍 Venice and Jesolo: Rediscovering Old Friends and Timeless Canals
After fifty years, I found myself back in Italy, reconnecting with an old friend and exploring the streets, canals, and history of Venice. From the bustling ferry rides to the grandeur of the Doge’s Palace and the lively corners of Jesolo, this journey was a mix of nostalgia, discovery, and the simple pleasures of travel. Join me as I navigate crowded squares, historic bridges, and quiet seaside streets, all while keeping an eye on the costs and enjoying life at a slower pace.
🚆 Moving Day to Jesolo
I was up early and made my way to the train station to purchase a ticket to Jesolo, which cost €12.50 (NZD 25.71). My train was leaving from platform 8, so I stood under the sign and waited by the track. Curious whether I had an assigned seat or if it was first-come, first-served, I asked a train attendant. It wasn’t assigned, but she urged me to hurry — the train was nearly ready to depart.
Even though the signs said platform 7/8, my train was at the very end of the platform, just around the corner. Had I not asked, I would have missed it. The journey was about 93 km to San Donà di Piave, followed by a bus ride to Jesolo, where I hoped my friend John would pick me up.
I’m staying with John, whom I recently reconnected with after a 50-year separation. We first met when he was working with my brother, and we attended the same school and youth club — a lifeline for teenagers in those days, offering safe fun, discos, dances, and a sense of community. He now lives near where I would be travelling and has kindly offered me a place to stay until my flight on Tuesday, the 11th.
Due to SIM card issues, we had been communicating via email. When I arrived, I stopped at Snack Bar Martin and had a beer while waiting to be picked up. From where I got off the bus, John’s place was just a five-minute walk. I settled in quickly, and we reminisced about our youth and the “good old days,” which truly were some of the best of our lives.
Jesolo itself is a long, sandy stretch along the Adriatic coast, famous for its beaches and seaside resorts. The town grew rapidly in the 20th century as tourism boomed, and today it’s a popular destination for Italians and Europeans alike, offering a lively promenade, cafés, and easy access to Venice. San Donà di Piave, where the train stops before Jesolo, has its own quiet charm — a small town steeped in history near the Piave River, significant during World War I as a line of defence for Italy.
Later, while the sun was still shining, I went to the Co-op supermarket and bought ingredients for spaghetti bolognese, along with a couple of 600 ml Stella Artois (€1.54 / NZD 3.17 each). I’ve been carrying pasta in my bag for a couple of months, so I took the opportunity to use some up — what I bought should last me three nights.
Tomorrow, I plan a trip to Venice.
⛴️ Day 360: Ferry to Venice
I slept in a bed for the first time since Saeby in Denmark. Sleep was okay, not great, but I was up by 7:30 and made myself a mushroom omelette for breakfast. We left around 10 a.m. for the ferry, about 21 km away, paying €19 return. I caught the ferry around 10:40 for the 20–25 minute trip across the bay to Terminal A.
It was a pleasant journey, though a cold wind off the water kept most travellers inside or huddled away from the breeze. Stepping off the ferry, I expected Venice to be quiet, given it’s mid-autumn, but I was wrong. People were everywhere — cruise ship passengers, school groups, Chinese tourists, and visitors from all corners of the globe.
🍕 Lunch by the Grand Canal
I decided on pizza for lunch. After scouting a few places, I settled on my favourite — Capricciosa — with a beer beside the Grand Canal. I had been looking forward to a traditional Italian pizza for months, but recipes have evolved. The pizza was enjoyable, but not the pizza of old. I couldn’t help but think of my ex-wife, who knew how to make a pizza that left you craving more.
Lunch costs:
2 beers: €16 / NZD 32.90
Pizza: €14 / NZD 24.68
Service charge (sitting at table): €3.50 / NZD 7.20
🏰 Doge’s Palace
A relaxing stroll along the Grand Canal brought me to the Doge’s Palace. With a senior discount, the entry cost €15 (NZD 61.45). Carry your passport to verify your age — on this occasion, it wasn’t required.
The Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) is one of Venice’s most iconic landmarks and the former seat of the Venetian Republic’s government. Originally built in the 9th century, it was rebuilt after fires to become the Gothic masterpiece seen today. For centuries, it was the political and judicial heart of Venice — home to the Doge, the Great Council, and the notorious Council of Ten. Its chambers witnessed decisions that shaped Venetian power across the Mediterranean.
The palace is connected to the prisons by the Bridge of Sighs, where prisoners glimpsed their last view of Venice. I explored at my own pace, imagining the weight of decisions that once resonated through these halls. After several hours, the rooms began to feel similar, yet the history around me was palpable.
🌉 Bridge of Sighs
Completed in 1603, the Bridge of Sighs is one of Venice’s most evocative landmarks. Built of white Istrian stone, it links the interrogation rooms of the Doge’s Palace to the prisons across the canal. Its name comes from the idea that prisoners would sigh as they glimpsed Venice for the last time.
The prison cells are small, cold, and dimly lit — rough stone walls, tiny high windows, iron bars, and a musty air make them feel claustrophobic. Narrow interiors barely fit a small cot or bench, and silence is broken only by distant echoes.
🏛️ St. Mark’s Square
After leaving the Doge’s Palace, I headed into St. Mark’s Square. Venice today is a busy city, unlike my memories from fifty years ago, when it was easy to wander freely. Side streets are now lined with shops, cafés, and restaurants, all watching gondolas drift along the canals.
St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) has been Venice’s political, religious, and social heart for nearly a thousand years. Laid out in the 9th century and expanded in the 12th, the square hosted the Venetian Republic’s pageantry. Surrounded by the golden-domed Basilica di San Marco, the Doge’s Palace, and the arcades of the Procuratie, it was the centre of government, commerce, and celebration. Napoleon famously called it “the drawing room of Europe.”
🌉 Rialto Bridge
Next, I visited the Rialto Bridge, always bustling with tourists. The oldest of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal, it connects San Marco and San Polo. Originally a pontoon bridge in 1173, the current stone bridge, designed by Antonio da Ponte, was built between 1588–1591. Two ramps lead up to a central portico, flanked by rows of shops. Despite critics predicting its collapse, the bridge has endured for over 400 years to become one of Venice’s most photographed landmarks.
🍺 Returning to Jesolo
By late afternoon, I caught the 4 p.m. ferry back to Jesolo, followed by a bus ride. I hoped to get off at Jesolo Centro, but the bus went to the main station. Jesolo is packed during the high season, but now, at the end of the season, most shops are closed. I found a café bar near the “Welcome to Jesolo” sign, purchased a beer, and persuaded the lady behind the counter to call John to pick me up — otherwise, I would have faced a 3.2 km walk in the dark, which felt dubious at best.
It was an okay day, not a “wow” day, but still enjoyable. Prices in Italy are consistently higher than in most European countries I visited this year. I plan to be back next year when I visit Rome, as my travels are gradually slowing down in preparation for my flight home to New Zealand for a hospital appointment and umbilical hernia repair.
✅ Key Costs (Day in Venice)
Ferry return: €19 / NZD 38.90
Postcards & stamps: €17.10 / NZD 35.01
Lunch: €33 / NZD 67.56
Doge’s Palace: €15 / NZD 30.71
Bus: €3.50 / NZD 7.17
Total: €87.60 / NZD 179.41
📝 Travel Tips for Venice
Ferries & Transport: Buy return tickets in advance and check schedules — ferries are faster and scenic.
Timing: Early mornings or late afternoons are calmer for exploring.
Comfortable Footwear: Venice is full of bridges and cobblestones — wear supportive shoes.
Senior Discounts: Always carry your passport for museum discounts.
Budgeting: Expect service charges in cafés and plan meals carefully.
Avoiding Crowds: Side streets offer quieter, charming experiences.
Photography: Sunrise or late afternoon gives soft light and fewer tourists.
Safety: Walking at night is fine in well-lit areas, but avoid deserted streets near canals.
Plan & Prioritise: Pick a few key sites to enjoy thoroughly rather than rushing.
Reflections:
Travel is not always easy or purely fun; it can be hard work, especially when you’re away for long periods from friends and family. Over my first year on the road, I’ve experienced many ups and downs, met people from all corners of the world, shared stories, and exchanged travel tips — where to go, what to look out for, where to stay, eat, and drink, what’s cheap, and what to avoid.
My original blog started as a simple diary, but it has evolved into something far richer today. I hope you enjoy following my journey as much as I enjoy living it.
Travel has taught me that it’s not just the places you visit that matter, but the people you meet, the challenges you face, and the memories you create along the way. Every trip, every conversation, every small adventure adds to a life well-lived.
Andrew
(inspireseniorstravel.com)