Welcome to my Venice blog! Daniel and I arrived in Venice on February 10, 2020 ready to embrace the the city with open arms. After spending a month in Northern Europe, we yearned for a change of scenery, rustic Italian food, and warmer weather. Daniel’s birthday was coming up in a couple of days and we looked forward to celebrating it in this magical city of canals and romance.
Unfortunately, we faced some challenges that complicated our visit. Things got off on the wrong foot with a cancelled flight due to Storm Ciara, so we had one less day in Venice than originally planned. Then, Daniel got sick halfway during our visit and couldn’t get off the couch for a couple of days. Unbeknownst to us, the Coronavirus outbreak in Italy was just beginning in the region around that time. (We have no idea if those two last items were related – we think probably not because Daniel didn’t have the classic Coronavirus symptoms, but we don’t know for sure).
Despite these challenges, we did manage to see a lot of the city. Daniel and I timed our visit so that we’d be there for the kickoff of Carnival festivities. We toured Saint Mark’s Basilica, took a gondola ride, and wandered the canals for hours.
And yet… I don’t feel like I fully understand Venice. Daniel was truly smitten with the city and it was clear that he came away from the visit with a different experience than I did. Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy my time in Venice. It’s a cool city. But I didn’t fall in love with it. I feel like I’m missing something.
Or who knows, maybe Venice just isn’t for me. And that’s ok too.
For Daniel’s perspective, check out his Venice blog posts:
- Venice, Italy – Not gone, not yet. I’m happy I got to know her. – The Wandering Hedonist
- Venice, 2am, my first night in the city – The Wandering Hedonist
Venice Blog Part 1: Saint Mark’s Basilica
Consecrated in 1117, Saint Mark’s Basilica dominates the Piazza San Marco and is magnet for tourists. It is so fabulously over-the-top that it’s hard not to gape when seeing it for the first time.
Saint Mark’s Basilica on the first day of Carnival
The Basilica’s Intricate Doorway
Saint Mark Basilica in the fog
The view from the top of Saint Mark’s Basilica
View of the Doge’s Palace from Saint Mark’s Basilica
Daniel takes in the view from the observation deck on Saint Mark’s Basilica
Venice Blog Part 2: Oh Those Lovely Canals
We spent hours wandering around Venice’s famed winding canals. Venice is actually situated on a group of 118 small islands and so transportation by canal is a fact of life for local residents and visitors alike. Apparently the canals get a bit smelly in the warm summer months but the odor wasn’t too bad during our visit in February.
Venice Blog Part 3: The Canal Ride
On Daniel’s birthday, we celebrated by splurging for a canal ride. We opted for a ride that mostly took place in the small winding canals in the city center, but the boat also traversed the Grand Canal for a short while. It felt a little cheesy and touristy but hey – ya gotta do it at least once, right?
We actually really enjoyed the canal ride. However, I hear that in the summer months that lines are long and the canals are so full of boats that it diminishes the experience somewhat.
Venice Blog Part 4: Sunset from the Rialto Bridge
One of the most famous tourist attractions in Venice, the Rialto Bridge is the oldest bridge spanning the Grand Canal. We happened to walk over the Rialto Bridge one evening around sunset – it was magical.
The Rialto Bridge
Daniel take in the sunset from the Rialto Bridge
Venice Blog Part 5: Carnival
Carnival in Venice is a formal, stately affair. Unlike Carnival celebrations in other cities which tend to favor silly and fun costumes, the Carnival celebrations in Venice are grand and stately. Costumes are often very elaborate and typically feature period clothing. Lucky for me, the people in those costumes like to show them off by parading around the Piazza San Marco.
People dressed up in costumes need to eat too!
Daniel’s Carnival Mask
My Carnival mask
Where are we now?
We are in Venice, Italy!
Location: Venice, Italy
Dates: February 10 – 16, 2020
Vagabonding Journey Status: Days 132-137
For more details on our vagabonding journey, see my previous posts:
- Day 147: Our Experience Traveling during the Coronavirus Outbreak in Italy
- Day 128: Shenanigans in Odense: Of Board Game Marathons and Tandem Bicycle Rides
- Day 123: Copenhagen Blog: An Unexpected Visit
- Day 122: Cologne Blog: The Cologne Cathedral, Kölsch and Carnival
- Day 120: Cologne Day Trip: Hiking to Drachenburg Castle on Dragon Rock
- Day 117: Amsterdam Windmill Tour: The Zaanse Schans Windmill Village
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