Uhrturm, Schloßberg, Graz (left) and Hauptbahnhof, Graz
Leaving the Renaissance city Graz, Austria, the city I called the City Without Entrance, and Exit was an adventure itself. We left Graz via Klagenfurt, Villach, Austria, then Udine, Italy to arrive at Venice, on 10 October 2010. The highlight of these two bus rides was the part passing through the Julius Apls from Villach and Udine.
Once we had departed from Graz, our trip became very smooth. Though it was gray and we were traveling amongst the mountains, the road condition was excellent and any safety concern dissipated.
Between Graz and Klagenfurt, Austria
Between Graz and Klagenfurt, Austria
It took only two hours to arrive at Klagenfurt. We followed another bus into the Hauptbahnhof and that was our bus from Klagenfurt to Venice. All Austrian cities were clean and orderly.
Hauptbahnhof Klagenfurt, Austria
Hauptbahnhof Klagenfurt, Austria
We had ten minutes to change bus. The bus driver also checked our passports against his list. For both rides, we had purchased our seats right above the driver, so as to have a good view. The reservation cost only three euros each. Below was our bus, resting at Villach, Austria, our next stop before entering Italy.
Klagenfurt-Villach-Undine-Venedig bus, Villach, Austria
Hauptbahnhof Villach, Austria
From Villach to Udine, Italy, we traveled through some beautiful scenery, part of the Julius Alps formation. We saw impressive pastures, villages and cliffs. The pictures I took may present it as somewhat monotonous but in reality it was far from it.
Julische Alpen (Julius Alps) between Villach and Udine, Italy
Julische Alpen (Julius Alps) between Villach and Udine, Italy
Julische Alpen (Julius Alps) between Villach and Udine, Italy
Julische Alpen (Julius Alps) between Villach and Udine, Italy
The border between Austria and Italy was very plain, like a simple roadside rest stop in the US.
Austria-Italy Border
The rocky formation continued for a long stretch and we passed some large quarries just before we came upon the fertile fields near Udine, in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy.
Julische Alpen (Julius Alps) between Villach and Udine, Italy
Julische Alpen (Julius Alps) between Villach and Udine, Italy
Julische Alpen (Julius Alps) between Villach and Udine, Italy
Julische Alpen (Julius Alps) between Villach and Udine, Italy
Julische Alpen (Julius Alps) between Villach and Udine, Italy
Now, the landscape started to take on more warm hue of the Italy we associated with. The villages and towns took on a warmer tone as well. More Mediterranean.
Near Udine, Italia
Udine, Italia
Near the end of the day, we finally arrived at Veneto region, and we made a quick stop at Mestre Stazione, Venezia. We were told not to get off the bus at all.
Veneto, Italia
Mestre Stazione, Venezia
Then we left the mainland behind, and traveled upon a man-made bridge in the lagoon, leading to the islands part of Venice. It was amazing to be on the bridge, or viaduct, seeing water on both sides was and then the familiar landmarks emerged in the far distance.
Approaching Tronchetto, Venezia
Arriving Tronchetto, Venezia
Tronchetto was the final stop of the bus. From there, we were to switch on a commuter light rail to go to Stazione Santa Lucia, which was the main train station in Venice.
Tronchetto, Venezia, 10 October
The light rail traveled on a bridge looked like a gigantic whale bone. Very beautiful. The trip cost only a Euro.
Rail track connecting Stazioni Tronchetto and Santa Lucia, Venezia
Getting off the light rail, we dragged our luggage through a lovely bridge with translucent pavement so we could almost see the water underneath, and finally arrived at Stazione Santa Lucia.
Ponte della Costituzione & Stazione Venezia Santa Lucia
We walked onto the plaza in front of Santa Lucia, and saw in front of us the imposing San Simeone Piccolo. Naturally, we knew grander sights were to come.
San Simeone Piccolo, viewed from Santa Lucia, Venezia, 10 October
Related posts on Art · 文化 · Kunst:
- Bridges in Venice, Italy
- San Giorgio Maggiore, Il Redentore, Scuola e Chise Grande di San Rocco, Venezia
- Gondolas in Venice, Italy
- Teatro La Fenice di Venezia (La Fenice Theatre in Venice)
- Graz, the City Without Entrance, and Exit
- Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele in Wien (Vienna)
- Magnificent Churches in Vienna
- Visiting Four Universities in Austria and Italy
- UNESCO World Heritage Semmering Railway from Vienna to Graz
Label: Austria, Italy, Austria and Italy Trip 2012
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