I'm finally getting around to writing the recap for our final days in Italy from our trip in January. I really did save the best for last. Of the three cities we visited (Rome, Florence, and Venice), Venice was by far my favorite.
The canals are beautiful and so picturesque. With all the little bridges, you could really wander and enjoy the scenery.
Venice experiences something a couple times a year where the tide rises and the city floods. It's called "alta acqua" and the water can rise a few inches to a few feet. While we were in Venice, they experienced one of the more severe floods with the water rising as high as 12" in the streets.
My mom thought I was a little crazy for bringing my rain boots, especially since we were traveling with carry on luggage only. I am so thankful I had them. My husband on the other hand had to buy these weird thick plastic shoe cover things to keep dry. I was able to run splash wade through the water without worrying about getting wet.
Yup, I was one of those crazy people!
Since the city is used to the tides rising, they are able to prepare and put out wooden walkways. In the busy parts of the city, it's funny to see all these people shuffling along, almost like a ride line at Disney.
The tides splashing up onto the edge of the walk ways.
We stopped for lunch at a little hole in the wall. On the way there, my husband was giving us directions- "Make a right. Then another right. And another right." After the third one, I gave him the side eye since it seemed like we were going to go in circles. But in Venice, apparently that's how you get places!
The Rialto Bridge at night.
Hand-blown heart shaped glass balloons from Murano Island in Venice. I opted for a little green/teal colored one.
I really wanted to buy a ton of them to recreate this in our house, but that just wasn't in the budget.
Photo from the Rialto Bridge with the Grand Canal in the background.
We saw a Disney Store and of course I had to take a picture. Mickey was all ready for the upcoming Carnival festival.
Overlooking Doge's Palace and the Grand Canal.
Inside the Basilica at St. Mark's Square. Millions of little gold tiles are used in the mosaic inside. It's ok if your mouth hangs open a little while you gaze at it, everyone else's are. ;)
Although I really wanted to take a gondola ride while in Venice, the rain kept us away. Apparently these people didn't mind!
We ate at a little wine bar we found just a couple blocks away from the apartment we rented. On the way home after a few glasses of wine, we did have a few moments of "Was it a left? Or a right? Does that building look familiar?"
The walls are lined with little shelves that empty bottles and notes from the folks who enjoyed them. It was fun to read what other people had written.
The best bruchetta I have ever had.
Cheese platter. They always serve the cheese with honey- so good!
The next day we had to wake up at 4am to catch the water bus to take us to the airport to head home.
Even though it rained most of our time there, we both agreed that we'd love to return to Venice. Hopefully with better weather. :)
