5 Days in Venice, Part 1

We arrived in Venice on Monday, April 27th and immediately fell in love. I was a bit worried that Venice would be one of those places that everyone raves about but isn’t really that great (overcrowded, expensive, full of touristy shops) but even though those things are true, it is so much more. Enchanting! Every single canal is charming and quaint and magical. There are endless paths and bridges that weave around the city, and around every corner was an adorable shop or hole-in-the-wall gelato store or tiny restaurant tucked under an arch.

We brought our rental cars back to the airport (picked them up in Rome and returned them in Venice) and then took the boat to the island. We were dropped off about a 15 minute walk from our apartment. I couldn’t stop talking photos every few steps!

It is very crowded, especially along the main path that leads to the well-known attractions, but it is not hard to veer off a bit and find calm, quiet areas. We stayed in a little apartment tucked away from the main areas but still very well located. There was a large plaza with a supermarket, bakery, pharmacy, fruit/veggie stand and countless restaurants just steps from the building. And it was about a 10 minute walk to the famous bridge and another 10 minute walk to the San Marco plaza.

We dropped our bags and headed out in search of some dinner. The landlady had recommended a few places to eat, so we had a destination, which is always easier when everyone is hungry. Again, as we walked the streets, I couldn’t help snapping a photo every few feet!

After dinner, some of the girls wanted to go back to the apartment while the rest of us walked around a bit more. Venice is so captivating, it just pulls you in. We walked over to the Rialto Bridge and took in the crowds and beautiful evening.

The next day we headed out in the afternoon for some sightseeing. We walked to the bridge, checked out a few bookstores I had read out and then took a traghetto to the other side of the Grand Canal. While in Rome, I picked up The Bookseller of Venice, a novel that took place during the historical floods in 2019. It was very interesting and had a list of bookstores in Venice to check out. It was a good way to give our wanderings a little bit of direction and we were able to see different parts of the city. The traghetto was a cheaper way to get a feel for a gondola ride, a tip from our landlady.

Once on the other side, we walked to Basilica Santa Maria della Salute where we were greeted by the final notes of an organ concert. From there we wandered along, stopping at a few other bookstores and then meeting up with Steffen. Steffen and I then went into another church while the girls opted to sit on a bench and read. Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Pantalon is an “unassuming 1600s church with a vast ceiling fresco by Gianantonio Fumiani & many other artworks”. It was quite the surprise to walk in there and see that ceiling!!

Then we went to dinner at a place that our landlady had recommended. The food was delicious and the view of the sunset was lovely! Then we walked home as the lights came on. Great way to end our first full day in Venice.

The next day, Olivia was unfortunately sick and Luisa chose to stay home in the afternoon, so Hannah, Charlotte and I walked around. More churches, bookstores and picturesque canals. Can’t get enough of then beauty of Venice.