End of season in Bella Italia and a short trip to Venice

17th-22nd September 2018: We took a flight to Venice Marco Polo Airport. From there, we continued by coach to Bibione, which is approximately 120 km away. Bibione is a holiday resort founded in the 1960s and consists mainly of a 10 km long beach and hotels. The first view of the sea is always a special moment, but we were surprised by the crowds of sunbeds and umbrellas that covered the beach in a tight grid pattern. We then headed to our accommodation. Unfortunately, it was clear that the end of the season was approaching as there were very few tourists on the streets, and consequently, fewer open shops or restaurants. Our apartment was also handed over to us without much care. However, the advantage was that we had the large pool mostly to ourselves, the beach was relatively empty, and the supermarket offered a 30% discount on everything until it closed for the season on the last day. We enjoyed peaceful walks along the beach in the mild summer climate and watched the sunsets. Other than that, we spent a lot of time by the pool, swimming, and of course, eating delicious pizza and pasta almost every day.

One day before our departure, we checked out and took a bus to Venice to spend the day and night there before our flight back. Venice is a breathtaking backdrop with its narrow streets, canals, ancient buildings, and gondoliers, exuding a unique charm. The downside is the crowds of tourists squeezing through the streets and queuing everywhere. In Venice, you are never alone. It is evident that the entire city is designed for mass tourism. For instance, huge cruise ships that completely ruin the ambiance enter the city. However, we had a very nice day and in the evening, we enjoyed delicious Italian pizza by the water, overlooking the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge. We then strolled through the city and admired the setting sun. At night, we headed to the airport and returned home the next morning.