First Stop!
Rialto Bridge - designed by Antonio da Ponte and completed in 1591.
Venice the Unforgettable!
We felt nervous exhilaration arriving in Venice at night. Riding a bus from the airport in the rain to the vaporetto docks felt like we were in a movie. We would have to cruise on the water to reach our hotel. Our Rick Steves guidebook was as smooth as butter with specifics of where to go and how to buy our tickets to ride.
We stood on the crowded dark dock with other travelers, suitcases in tow. The black water of the Grand Canal was lit by ancient buildings reflecting a welcoming glow.
When our vaporetto docked it was already crowded with passengers. Somehow we all squeezed in. After several stops, we arrived at our destination. Using the specifics emailed to us by Rick Steves, we wound under arches and down a narrow alley until, gloriously, we found our hotel!
It was a relief to arrive two days early and become acclimated. Our Rick Steves guide book suggested to “get lost” in the charming streets of Venice. We LOVED doing this! Everywhere you go the names of streets are marked well and direct you how to return to landmarks. Everything we saw was picture worthy. The quaint romance of an ancient city built on wooden pylons with canals and bridges at every turn seemed other worldly.
Pro Tips
Pro-tip from Rick: Download the FREE Rick Steves Audio Europe app. Take the Grand Canal Cruise audio tour. This was one of our favorite "on our own" activities.
The Grand Canal Cruise helped us get our bearings about how the canal system works in Venice. The audio set the stage and explained what life was like during the times of Venetian merchants.
Cecilia taught us at our first breakfast that Italians only drink cappuccinos in the morning. “No cappuccinos after 11:00!”
Before the Tour - St. Mark's Basilica
Before the tour began, we explored the awe inspiring St. Mark’s Basilica. Our tour was narrated for us by the Rick Steves Audio Europe app. We purchased our tickets online before we left home for the specific day and time, so we were able to skip the line. We especially loved seeing the timeworn mosaics!
The Tour Begins!
Day 1
After months of planning and anticipation, we finally began day 1 of our Rick Steves Tour.
We were so excited to meet our tour group. Cecilia, our guide, led us in introductions, then we were off to an orientation walk to St Mark’s Square. The evening ended with an exquisite dinner at a restaurant not far from our hotel. Warm conversations with our new acquaintances hummed around the tables.
Day 2
Day 2 in Venice, led by a local guide, was rich with the city’s history, hopes, and challenges for the future. We loved being able to ask questions and listen to our guides expertise about everything Venetian.
Hunger pangs hit us after a full morning of walking and learning about the past. Cecilia suggested a type sandwich that we could only find in Venice. We had seen them all over the area, but settled on a sandwich shop on the corner down from our hotel. MMMM! Yes, tramezzines are delicious!
In the afternoon we drank in more history at the Doge’s Palace. The Doge was the ruler of Venice. Fine woodwork, marble, tile, and paintings decorated this grand place from floor to ceiling. We toured the ancient prison connected to the palace by the Bridge of Sighs. Tickets were purchased online before we left home, so entrance was a piece of cake.
For dinner on day two we met new friends at a restaurant our guide arranged for all who were interested. It was such a lovely evening to enjoy amazing food and get to know our travel companions as we anticipated the journey we were on together.
Day 3
Day 3 in Venice began with a walk through the winding streets and over unique bridges. We got to experience the water rising and overflowing into walkways, right up to the doors of businesses and into St. Mark’s Square.
Venetians are resilient when the water rises. They place raised platforms over the seeping water or wear rain boots and just keep going. As the tide recedes the water disappears.
We arrived at Venice's Accademia Gallery which is an exquisite collection of Renaissance paintings and artwork. Our guide did a deep dive of selected pieces. She explained the time periods of the creations, artists, and techniques they used. It was phenomenal!
Next, we boarded a private boat and cruised through the lagoon and beyond to the island of Burano, known for handmade lace. Our guide led us to a lace maker’s shop, Emilia’s, that has been in their family for over five generations. We bought a hand tatted doily as a souvenir.
The multicolored buildings, canals, and bridges filled us with curiosity to wander. We also enjoyed a lunch at one of the many outdoor cafes.
Then it was back to the boat and on to the island for Murano, known for glass making. We had front row seats as we watched the process of glass blowing. The artist had been making glass since he was 12 years old. It was interesting to learn that the glass making businesses moved out to the Island of Murano centuries ago because of the threat of fires to the closely built structures in Venice.
Pizza Anyone? Italy is the land of deliciousness. Pizza is always a great idea. So when our boat outing ended, we followed the cobblestone streets and alleyways back to a place we had put a pin in for later. The crispy crust, sometimes sauce, cheese, and toppings fuse into a delight for the tastebuds and tummy!
The evening held the ultimate experience our imaginations had of a visit to Venice. We met our tour group for a romantic gondola ride! We stepped one at a time into the elegant shaped craft to keep it balanced. Our gondolier guided us to our seats and then perched facing the bow, holding a long-handled oar. We launched. The perfection of the moment near sunset as a soloist serenaded us with Italian love songs will be a forever memory. We glided by relics from the past and ventured into the Grand Canal as night fell and twinkling stars appeared. Heavy, happy sigh!
Click on images to view the gallery
