Disneyland Venice

I've never been to Disneyland, but I think visiting Venice is a pretty good analog. That's how the experience felt from the moment we stepped out of the train station. Ponte degli Scalzi loomed under blue sky as it spanned the sparkling, grand Grand Canal. Car-free streets were lined with colourful buildings, and concession stands stretched away in all directions. There were tourists everywhere. The excavated and stolen remains of one of the S-Tier apostles were buried nearby.

There's obviously rides to be had in Venice, the various watercraft, and there's some roller coaster thing that I think takes people to the big carpark. What I enjoyed most though is the giant maze where every dead end is part of the adventure.

I had planned to spend part of today taking a ferry to Burano, but there was far to much to see and enjoy simply strolling around the different neighbourhoods. When the sun was too hot it was a good opportunity for a nap, or a spritz and a magazine in the piazza. When the sun was low - morning and evening - it was a theme park. Golden Hour persisted for longer than felt natural. Every corner and bridge felt deserving of a moment to stop and stare. And after 27,000 steps that was a lot to take in and absorb.

Historically, Venice has survived a lot, and I hope it continues to survive through whatever the rest of this century and beyond have in store for it. I would definitely like to visit again, maybe in Autumn, and make it to Burano and see Saint Mark's without the cladding. Even if I don't, I'm grateful that I got to experience something as amazing and historic as a city on the sea.