The allure of Venice is one that needs no explanation. It is city that is so unique, there is nothing else in this world remotely similar. Unlike many of our other destinations that come with a long list of specific buildings, museums, or monuments to see, we simply had to walk any street in Venice to feel its magic.
Right out of the train station, we walked to Venice's newest addition, Calatrava's Bridge. Its futuristic style definitely stood out against the ancient backdrop of the rest of Venice. We couldn't help but muse how much a certain Dippy would appreciate its design.
Ready to take in the more traditional sights, we headed to our hotel. Though it was hardly in the thick of things, it was so wonderful to walk along the side streets and canals, cross to the opposite side via small stone bridges, and see residents' main means of transportation bobbing up and down outside their doors. What an incredibly different way of life!
We set off for lunch at a pizzeria that had been recommended by one of Luke's coworkers. Imagine our surprise when we found these murals as a part of the decor:
we weren't a fan of this one...
It was a lot of fun to see our home represented in a pizza place in Venice! We just ignored the stares we got from the other patrons and staff during our excited photo-shoot. We're getting very used to ignoring stares in Italy.
From lunch, we headed out to navigate the streets of Venice and make our way towards some of the more popular sights. Armed with a couple of maps, Luke's amazing sense of direction, and my willingness to ignore my own broken inner compass, we were off.
Unfortunately, we discovered that navigating Venezia isn't so easy. I've never felt more like a mouse in a maze in my entire life! Streets that appear to move in one's desired direction curve around and turn into different ones, being surrounded by old buildings (beautiful as they are) on every side becomes fairly disorienting, and many streets in Venice simply dead-end into the canals (as shown below). Needless to say, we did a lot of back-tracking.
If you've got to be lost somewhere, Venice isn't a bad choice, right?
Without Luke, I'm pretty sure I'd still be wandering those streets.
Amidst the chaos of our journey, we had an especially funny experience when we crossed a bridge and ran into a group of Italian girls we had shared breakfast with at our Bed and Breakfast in Verona the morning before.
And then, at last! We found our way to Rialto just in time for a little market-browsing before sunset.
Watching the sky turn as the sun went down from the view on the Rialto bridge has got to be one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. The random gondolier who paddled by into the sunset was, each time, an added bonus.
After enjoying an espresso at a cafe alongside the canal, we set off to find a place to eat dinner.
We landed in a small little restaurant and, as usual, at 7:30 p.m. were the first patrons in for the evening meal. Feeling as though Venice had not disappointed thus far, I decided to go out on a culinary limb and try one of the city's specialties: cuttlefish cooked in its own ink. When it came out, I must admit, I was veeeerrrrry nervous.
Summoning up all of my courage, I took my first bite aaaaannndd....
it was AMAZING. Despite my numerous and vehement proposals to entreat Luke to try it, he refused (more and more angrily with each request, might I add). I guess I can't blame him; it wasn't the most visually appealing dish, more resembling tire scraps in tar than anything edible. Still, it was wonderful.
We started fresh the next morning, finding that Venice does not disappoint: it is just as enthralling on Day Two. It seemed as though around each corner, a more picturesque view awaited.
We found our way to San Giorgio dei Greci to enjoy a highly recommended breakfast of cappuccinos and pastries from Rosa Salva. It was one of those moments in which you look around at where you are and what you're doing, and just sit in wonder for a bit.
It's hard to tell what yielded better results, wandering, or the purposes. All the exploration worked up our appetites again, and what better way to eat our last meal in Venice than on the canal?
Can you tell we're getting a little spoiled with all this? Seafood risotto over the canals in Venice is going to be a little hard to top.
From lunch we marveled at the Santa Maria della Salute for a bit...
and then found our way to our intended destination: the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
Evidently, Peggy Guggenheim made it a goal to buy a piece of art every single day, and was very good at it. Though the museum itself was filled with some very amazing pieces, we found most of our favorites in the outside gardens.
Before we left, I made sure to write out a wish to put on the Yoko Ono olive tree.
I ignored Luke's suggestion to write "I wish you never broke up The Beatles" and went with my own wish for our very own olive tree instead.
We wandered down to San Marco Square one more time to say "see you later" (not "goodbye") to the Basilica San Marco, the clock tower, and all of the beauty of Venice.
