The first ever trip I made to Venice, Italy was very significant because it had been my dream to visit Italy for many years. Being that my ancestry is rooted in Italy, I felt very connected to this journey I was about to embark on. We landed at the Venice Treviso airport. After taking the ‘express’ bus for just 5 euros, we found ourselves at the Piazzale Roma bus station unsure of how to find the accommodation and worried about the percentage of people who spoke English. Soon after crossing one of just four main bridges on the Venice Grande Canal, I was amazed by the picturesque views of Venice and traditional Italian bakeries, supermarkets, gelaterias (ice cream bars), and osterias (wine bars). Immediately, I knew how most of my money was being spent. I classify myself as a ‘foodie’ and if that wasn’t enough; the window displays of scrumptious baked goods, gelato, and other Italian favorites would lure me in.
Three days were utilized to the fullest because I was able to cover the entire city of Venice. Strolling through the residential villages and climbing mini bridges to cross the inner canals, all had me in awe of this city. Every corner you turn is a photographic moment and it seems that the scene reflects that of an oil painting. No wonder why I found numerous painters spread out in Venice capturing the exterior of Venice and selling their artworks on the streets. Rather than a quite pricy gondola ride, I settled for a canal ride on one of the many large water boats and started the passageway at Piazzale Roma (the beginning of the Grand Canal) and ended at the stop called Giardino (gardens). The boat ride on the canal was like a dream. It was completely breathtaking and it felt like we were floating on the ocean absorbing the waterfront sights of the city. This was probably the most memorable time in Venice and of course a dream come true.
The culture in Venice was magnificent and the Italians were as I had imagined them. They were warm and carefree. The lifestyle was so inspiring and amusing to witness people who were living in the moment and not so affected by the outside world. It was a bubble in Venice, a comforting place that was a home away from. It was so fantastic to see Italians living in their environment. I particularly enjoyed their singing which we heard plenty of since shop owners, passing residents, and the gondola rowers felt free to belt tunes in public!
Before I forget, I must cover the delicious food that I indulged in during our three days in Venice. The most common treat we ate was none other than gelato. Yummy! I tasted three flavors (one a day) which were Pistachio, Tiramisu, and Bacio (a dark chocolate/hazelnut Italian candy). The Italian gelato was so creamy and soft and certainly met my expectations. I don’t think I could ever go back to eating bland hard ice cream after having real Italian gelato. Not to mention, I found and consumed the largest slice of pizza I’d ever seen from a small shop by piazza San Marco. The pepperoni slice was 3.50 euros and twice the size of the typical slice of New York pizza. New York happens to be the sole place other than Italy it which I’ve ate decent pizza, but nothing beats Italy!
The true beauty of Venice (other than the cuisine and culture) is that you don’t need to follow a guide book to have an adventure. We covered the inner city, residential, and outskirts of Venice within three days and we didn’t miss a street or bridge for that matter. There is not a lot of tourist attractions to distract you and the usual museums aren’t necessary to visit; just being there roaming the city is sufficient. And, where else can you sleep on benches in the park! My friend and I were not the only travelers that crashed to sleep in parks when we were too far from our hostel. It’s that laid back in Italy! In the San Marco piazza, you must see the live Italian orchestras playing music from day until late night. The lovely Italian classical music really sets the scene in Venice. All in all, this city was magical and I will be looking forward to my next visit.
