Drowning in a sea of people

The Grand Canal is the main boulevard of Venice. Like any boulevard its a hive of activity with people and traffic flowing in directions - with one difference. Everything takes place on the water. Look one way and you'll see an Ambulance boat. Look another and you'll see water taxis, rubbish barges, boats delivering goods and water buses. Throw in the odd black gondola and you'll have the average Grand Canal vista before you.

Upon arriving in Venice we caught a water taxi across the lagoon to our hotel. I'd booked the taxi in advance to ensure an easier late evening airport transfer. The ride was an adventure all of its own as we sped through the dark in a long, slender mahongany speed boat. Our driver even stopped to refuel at your typical Venetian gas station - a canal-side pier with an Esso bowser.

The Grand Canal is about 3.8 km long, no more than 6m metres deep and crossed by only three footbridges (along with two road/rail bridge at its northern most industrial extreme). Prime Venetian real estate has always include a canal view. At a result, its shores are lined with no fewer than 185 private buildings of heritage value.

Our first glimpse of the Grand Canal was breath-taking. As we drifted through a dark and lonely side canal a white marble-clad, baroque house slowly came into view. Ca' Pesaro was built in 1710 and is now an art gallery. This beautifully restored building was lit by spotlights and literally shone in the dark. Moments later we swept into the Grand Canal and Ca' Pesaro was gone.

Our next breath-taking moment occured as we rounded the corner and the classic Rialto Bridge swung into view. We docked at its foundation and literally walked into the lobby of our hotel. After checking in we took a quiet stroll over the bridge before settling down for coffee at a bustling cafe along side the Grand Canal. It was clear we were in for a truly memorable weekend.