Vibrant Venice

On our way back from Croatia to Germany, Venice was our stop. After so much traveling over the last month we were not that excited about another stop. We didn’t realize that this would be the perfect ending spot for the trip. Venice was a city full of energy and so very different than anything we had seen. 

 

I had read so much about Venice, but couldn’t quite picture it.  The size of the waterways and the amount of traffic on the canals was fascinating. It was a bit overwhelming when we first arrived. We parked the car in a large car park and ventured down to the boat/bus service and couldn’t figure out which boat to take or which direction to even go in. There are times when the language or cultural barrier makes you feel so out of place. This was one of those times.

Thanks to Caitlyn’s job at Westin we have been trying out Starwood properties all across Europe. They have proved to be some of the nicest properties we have stayed. The hotel in Venice did not disappoint! After checking in we set right off walking throughout the city, exploring the alleys, canals, and squares. The beauty was in the buildings, bridges, and gondolas silently and smoothly maneuvering the canals. We discovered alleyways that led to waterways that you didn’t even know were there. Piazza San Marco is amazing – a huge open area surrounded by tall buildings, a gigantic cathedral, and hundreds of seats at cafes where dueling café orchestras entertain those in the area. So unique.

As beautiful as the piazza was during the day, it was equally intriguing at dark. The city at night was so much quieter, and there was a marked difference in the number of tourists walking around. You can explore dark alleyways that lead to small canals where gondolas whisk through in the dark night. We did take a gondola ride late on our last night in Venice. It was beautiful – quiet, enchanting, and just stunning. We both were so glad we chose to go on the ride, especially at night.

Two mornings that we were there, Bob talked me into getting up really early and see Venice in a very different light. What a great idea. The city still quiet and empty was just so charming. The boats on the canals at 7am are working boats – people delivering clean linens, food deliveries, and boats picking up garbage, and dropping off construction supplies. We were in Piazza San Marco with two other people. You could take in the expanse of the area and the details in the immense buildings. The 300-foot bell tower in the square opens at 9am. Again, the volume of tourists is not there yet that early in the day. The views of the city from the tower are just wonderful. It’s a contained area of islands, so the perspective from above is impressive.

Working boats on the water early in the morning

Inside St. Mark's Cathedral

The day we were leaving we went to St. Mark’s for Sunday morning mass. It just happened to be the Sunday a dozen children were making their First Communion. They were dressed in simple white robes, holding a small shell with a lit votive candle, and looked so precious. The music was beautiful and you could take in all the details of the church. Very special mass.

Above the door of St. Mark's - beautiful mosaics

    

                                 

Venice was definitely a one of a kind place with beauty in the colors and textures of its medieval buildings, magical picture perfect canals, and vibrant energy from the movement in the waterways to the people in the city squares.