It had been such a long day of making connections in four different countries, all in a period of 24 hours.  I was ecstatic to finally have arrived in Venice, Italy.   My flight from Columbus, Ohio was delayed so I missed my connection in New Jersey, and since my vacation coincided with the Venice Film Festival, flights were booked. I asked the customer service agent to be creative in getting me to my destination after learning that it may take me a couple of days to reach Venice.  I had a cruise ship to catch the next evening and didn’t want to miss it.   She was happy to help me out and gave me an updated itinerary through Heathrow which required me to pick up transportation to Gatwick.   I managed to leave from the US, travel to the UK, make a quick stop in Germany, hop on a flight to Paris and reach my final destination of Venice.   I was incredibly impressed with the handling of my air transportation and could not thank the airlines enough realizing that my luggage had actually arrived.  What an amazing adventure.

Departing my flight, I picked up my luggage and searched for the ATVO ticket counter at the Marco Polo Airport.  Outside of baggage claim, I purchased my ticket and boarded the comfortable coach which  provided non-stop service to Piazzale Roma, taking only 20 – 25 minutes.

There was a large dropoff for buses and soon I found a small kiosk where an attendant sold me a Vaparetto ticket for the day.  It was late in the afternoon, so it only made sense to take the Express Route 1.  This vaparetto runs along the Grand Canal and is the most convenient way to reach St. Mark’s Square quickly.  Route 2 is the more scenic route, but as the sun was setting, I wanted to make it to my hotel before dark.

My first glimpse of Venice was indescribable.  A city unlike any other, I was in awe of its beautiful architecture and couldn’t wait for morning to venture along its waterways.  Having researched the archipelago, I wanted to explore more of its significant history and infamous art.

I validated my ticket by holding it up against the electronic ticket reader before boarding  Within 20 minutes, I hopped off the Vaparetto at the Piazza San Marco stop, then dragged my luggage over crowded bridges and stairs. I reached Venice during the golden hour, the perfect time for taking photos.  I could not resist snapping a few photos before tackling the winding streets to Campo Manin.

I crossed over a set of stairs that passed the Bridge of Sighs, one of the most famous of the Venetian bridges.  I read that it is customary to kiss under the bridge on a gondola ride to guarantee eternal love.

My hotel was perfectly located between St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge, so I navigated through the walkways until I reached my room for the night.  The map and directions were pretty lengthy, but eventually I stopped by a nearby shop, where the owner confirmed I was heading in the right direction.

The sun was setting over Venice and I was only a couple of minutes from my hotel.

Reliving the past 24 hours, I couldn’t believe I had actually made it to Venice, a place so magical and mysterious.  It is no surprise that all who visit fall in love with this magnificent, one of a kind city, surrounded by water.  I am so excited for the opportunity to wake early for sunrise and spend more time in St. Mark’s Square in the morning hours, another perfect time for taking photos.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Venice?  What are some of your favorite attractions and restaurants?  I would love to hear about your experience if you will kindly leave a message in the comments section below!  Many thanks for reading about my arrival into Venice!!  Happy Travels!

Where to Stay:

The Centaur Hotel
San Marco
Campo Manin 4297/a
30124, Venice (Italy)
Tel. +39 041.5225832

Where to Eat:

Ristorante Rosa Rossa
Sestiere San Marco 3709
30122, Venice (Italy)
Tel. +39 041 523 4605

I was obsessed with the Caprese Salad here….and the Prosecco.

What to Eat: 

• Aperol Spritz is made with Prosecco (bubbly) wine, Aperol and a splash of soda.
• Bellini’s were invented at Harry’s Bar and is my favorite brunch drink made with Prosecco and peach puree.
• Seafood, especially sea bass. Black goby is a local fish from the lagoon and another local dish is fried sardines.
• Vegetables from the Rialto Market
• Instead of pasta, Venice serves rice and polenta.  Rice and peas (risi e bisi) is a very popular dish.
• Appetizers such as Venetian meat and cheese (the salami is amazing!) or cicchetti (similar to Spain’s tapas) are small servings that are the right portions.  Baccala Mantecato is a topping for cicchetti made of creamed white fish.
• Polpetta are deep fried meatballs
• For lunch, the locals will order Tramezzino (sandwich) which is triangular in shape.
• Dishes served with Nero di Seppia (Squid Ink Sauce) are a delicacy and the squid ink is very dark, so it may come as a surprise when your dish arrives.
• Fritto Misto (Fried Fish and Seafood) can also include fried vegetables.
• Venetian cookies (Buranelli – from the island of Burano and Sfogliatine) can be purchased at the local bakery.

What to Read: 

• Donna Leon has a series of crime novels all based in Venice.
• The Glassblower of Murano, by Marina Fiorato
• A Venetian Affair, by Andrea di Robilant
• The City of Falling Angels, by John Berendt
• Dead Lagoon, by Michael Dibdin
• A Thousand Days in Venice, by Marlena De Biasi

Photo Guide for Venice: 

• The Bridge of Sighs leads to the waterfront dungeons and is best photographed from the Ponte della Paglia.
• Burano is one of the islands within the Veneto was once a community of fishermen.  The colorful homes can seen from a distance as the vaparetto approaches. The colors of the island and reflections make memorable photographs.
• Piazza San Marco / St. Mark’s Square is the main meeting place in Venice to explore the Doge’s Palace, the Campanile and the Clock.
• Pont de l’Academie translates as the Academia Bridge and is the second most popular bridge behind the Rialto Bridge.
• The Rialto Bridge at Sunrise and Sunset;  Take a trip on the vaparetto along the Grand Canal for some amazing photo opportunities.
• Rivi degli Schiavoni is where the gondolas are “parked” with the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore in the background.
• St. Mark’s Campanile is the bell tower in the square.  Visitors can purchase tickets to ride up to the top for spectacular views of the lagoon and nearby buildings.
• If you can visit during the Venice Carnival celebration, you will have many opportunities for some amazing, dramatic photos of people dressed in costume.