As we leave Tuscany, heading towards Croatia we stopped on the way in a seaside town, south of Venice, known for its historic canals and narrow waterways called Chioggia. A fishing port that has preserved its authentic ambiance, the old part of the town has narrow streets and architecture much like Venice but much quieter and calmer.
We stayed in a lovely campsite the lagoon end of Chioggia, home to one of the oldest clocks originally made in 1386. The beach is stunning with areas of rocky outcrops.
In Chioggia you can take it slowly, watching the locals fishing, making local produce, eating and cooking. Being one of the biggest and oldest fishing ports in Italy you can observe the unloading of the crates of fish from the moored boats, under the attentive glare of many seagulls.
The retail fish market called the Pescheria is centrally located and has around 30 large stalls, with its beautifully sculpted main entrance and huge red awning. Waiting patiently outside on the canal posts are a regimented line-up of seagulls expectantly anticipating the occasional offering of seafood scraps thrown out by the stall owners.
We had a lovely wonder around the town, admiring the Vena canal with its 9 bridges where small boats are moored. We stopped at a restaurant had a couple of beers and lunch before returning to our campsite.
At night we walked the dogs down to the beach, strolling along the rocky jetties, playing with the dogs in the sea whilst observing the majestic sunset with its array of colours. There are a number of beach bars along the front, obviously stopping for a drink or two, and we found a lovely restaurant offering exquisite seafood. The first night Graham was pleased as there was a beauty contest with many beautiful girls strutting the catwalk in their dresses, moving on to bathing costumes and ending up in bikinis. We had a quick debate about beauty competitions but ended up agreeing it is the girls who decide to enter so they do have a choice!
Lovely stay before moving on to Venice.
Travel adventures 