Italy
Venice: A Beautiful Beginning Despite a Bumpy Start
Our journey to Venice from Phoenix had a rocky start — delayed by storms and flooding in Texas — but once we landed, the weather was perfect for the rest of our trip. Upon landing, I had a clear view of the city and could see how small and compact it really is , roughly the size of lower Manhattan, but we were anxious to explore it. From Marco Polo Airport, we hopped on a water taxi that dropped us right in front of our hotel, Hotel Rialto, overlooking the iconic bridge.
Welcomed with wine and a stunning view from our window, we shook off the jet lag and wandered out for dinner. We found a canal-side restaurant that set the bar high for the rest of the trip — amazing pasta ragu and grilled steak, though the bread didn’t impress (a theme across Italy, surprisingly).
The next morning, after a satisfying hotel breakfast, we dove into the city without a set plan. Venice’s maze of narrow, winding streets makes it easy — and fun — to get lost. We found our way to San Marco Plaza, admired the Doge’s Palace and bell tower, and enjoyed the bliss of a cruise ship–free day.
One of our best experiences was a gondola ride through the quieter canals. We found our gondolier, Vincenzo, tucked away from the touristy spots. His peaceful route passed by Marco Polo’s birthplace and charming local scenes — a relaxing, intimate ride totally worth the €120.
Later, we toured the Palazzo Ducale — a masterpiece of history and art. The palace felt like a mix between a government HQ, museum, and prison. Lavish rooms full of massive frescoes and gold detailing gave way to stark dungeons and the eerie Bridge of Sighs. The contrast was striking and unforgettable.
Afterward, we visited the historic Caffè Florian — the oldest café in the world — where G ordered a decadent coffee with ice cream, and I accidentally got a thimble-sized espresso. While we sipped, a full orchestra began rehearsing in the square. It felt like a scene from a movie — completely magical.
Looking back, I’m so glad we included Venice in our itinerary. Despite its reputation for crowds, we never felt overwhelmed. A day and a half was plenty to soak up the magic. If you’re on the fence, make the trip — Venice is a one-of-a-kind gem worth checking off your bucket list.
XXX
If you’re on the fence, make the trip to Venice. Ignore all the negative tourist hype.
Venice, no other place like it
Venice is special. You'll want come back and explore more.
Pros
- Postcard perfection
- Surprsingly easy to get to
- The Ducale is impressive
Cons
- Crowds
- Bad rep as a tourist trap
- Some places close too early
