“Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go.” – Truman Capote
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I spent only one day in Venice but the city grabs you as soon as you enter her walls. My travels in Italy felt like I was just sampling what it had to offer, one day in Venice, two days in Florence and one whirlwind day in Rome. For a look at a longer itinerary for Venice, check out this post by Destination Dorworth. Venice has a very distinct feel, it is an exquisite melancholy feeling that wraps its arms around you and beckons you to explore. It felt like I stepped into some surreal world filled with strange creatures and happenings, like the show Penny Dreadful. I know that’s an odd thing to say but it just felt like there was a mystical undertone to the city. When you first arrive you cross a bridge over the Grand Canal with some of the most spectacular views of the city but once you cross that bridge it’s like entering another world. You can feel the city all around you, closing in with its zig zagging streets that you can get lost in for hours.
Venice has so many charms and I was drawn in immediately. The first thing you notice when you arrive is the Grand Canal and the gondolas. The gondolas really were truly beautiful but 100 Euros for a short ride and a total tourist trap. Take a picture of them and maybe stop to watch them float by for a moment and then move on. If you want something different out of your experience walk the city, slip into the shops, by the local food, and drink the local wine, don’t get sucked into what you perceive Venice to be because you will miss out on the real experience. Those crazy winding streets are like a maze that you may never find your way out of. But within those close quarters are spectacular shops, churches and history. Though, once again, I was a naïve traveler and I think back now and wish I had spent more time there, exploring, spending more time in those hidden shops and delectable restaurants. I don’t know that I was able to take in all that Venice had to offer. But my goal was to at least experience her once just in case she decides to slip into the sea one day, never to be seen again.
After much winding and losing our way we came upon the Piazza San Marco, a wonderful open space, full of pigeons that you can feed (also known as my personal hell, having a significant fear of being pooped on. And the Italian people consider that good luck!?), surrounded by shops and restaurants with San Marco’s Basilica as its centerpiece. I highly recommend going inside. The lines are long, the wait was hot, but it was worth it. The Piazza is on the water (of course, this is Venice, what else would it be on) so there is often a nice breeze coming from the water. Just remember if you plan to visit the Basilica they do not allow bare arms, so cover up.
The Basilica de San Marco was an impressive church but I have to say if I were to recommend visiting one church in Venice it would be the Basilica Maria Gloriousa. This was the most interesting and one of the most unique churches I have ever seen and I have seen a lot of churches. Not because I am extremely religious but because churches tend to give you a strong sense of the history of a place, especially in Italy. The art and sculptures on display are some of the best Venice has to offer. The one monument that stopped me in my tracks was the monument to the Doge Giovanni Pesaro, with its incredible figures this is a must see for anyone going to Venice. The monument shows two bronze figures representing death and four slaves holding up the monument. The slaves really make the monument unforgettable, there is almost a feeling of defiance emanating off these four men (which I am to understand was on purpose). This church was built in the 1300’s and like I said one of the most memorable places in Venice.
Once again we kind of screwed up with the whole food thing. We waited until we were famished before eating lunch and at that time it was probably 2 in the afternoon, poor choice on our part. For anyone travelling to Italy, these wonderful people participate in siesta, which means if you want to eat in the afternoon you can forget about it. We meandered our way back to the Grand Canal area until we finally found an open restaurant and got, you guessed it, pizza….again. I know, I know, Italy is known for its pizza so what’s the problem? Naples is where you should eat pizza, otherwise you really aren’t getting anything all that special but that’s just my opinion.
One thing I wish I had of done while in Venice and still regret to this day is buying a mask. I know it’s cliché but I stepped into a store and saw the most beautiful all white mask, it was 20 Euros and I walked away. If you are in a city and you want a quintessential keep sake, just do it. If you are in Murano and want to buy some of their glassblowing products, just do it.
I hope to go back to this city one day but with my wandering style I struggle to visit the same place twice, there is just so much I want to see. Have you been to Venice? What feelings did this city invoke in you? Let me know what you think. Do you like to go back to them same places or do you have a need to see as much as possible in your lifetime not thinking twice about going back to the same place?
