Exploring Venice in less than 24 hours? No problem!!
So this trip took me to Venice, Italy. When I got the call to work the flight to Venice, I was extremely excited. Earlier that day, I was supposed to be working a turn (fly and come back, no layover) to Dominican Republic but because of time and MTA train issues I couldn’t make it.
The flight was about seven hours from Newark to Venezia and we arrived around 9:30 in the morning. Usually when I get in from a trip I take a quick refresher nap and head out. I set my alarm for 12:30, which turned into 2:30, 3:00 and finally 4:00. After arguing with Sprint for almost 45 minutes to unlock my new phone , I was able to get access on Italy’s network and head out around 5:00pm.
My first stop was to the local Tabacchi (Tobacco) shop to buy a day Tourist Travel Card which granted me access to all urban buses and ACTV vaporetto for the day. It cost 20€ for a one day pass and varies depending on how many days and additional stops.
I took the 4L bus from Mestre Venice to Piazzale Roma (the car, bus, and taxi gateway to central Venice) and spent time exploring the walkways and narrow streets that make Venice, Venice.
The city of Venice is built on more than 100 islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. There are no roads, so boat is your only option to get from one island to another. Every local seems to have a motorboat, gondola or uses the public water bus and urban bus transportation system to get around. Ironically, when you’re walking on a island, it doesn’t feel like an island because the architecture is so vast and intricate. It isn’t until you get to the canal or a bridge do you realize you are on a relatively small floating piece of land.
After walking a little, I boarded the vaporetto, a water bus that takes you along different stops in the grand canal. Everyone recommended going to San Marco square so of course I did.
I took off walking and explored as many different streets as I could. I found myself surrounded by the shops of famous fashion houses and my inner fashionista screamed with joy. There are hundreds of different shops lining the city. Masks and glass blown figurines are very popular in shops. Leather bags, shoes and clothing stores are everywhere. I can tell this is a city that overtime has become marketed to tourists because we were everywhere. Souvenir shops lined every street and even the things that seemed “local” , didn’t seem authentic to Venice
After walking in what seemed like squares for about 20 minutes, I walked from San Marco to the Rialto area where the Rialto bridge stands. The Rialto bridge is one of the four bridges spanning across the Grand Canal and is the oldest bridge in Venice.
I passed by a couple gondolas when I was in Piazaale Roma but was turned off by their 80€ charge. ($87US for a boat ride!!??). However, seeing many of them row by while on the water bus by peaked my interest. I was able to rent one by myself (which apparently is very rare for tourists) and I will say my 80€ was well worth it. I felt like I was living a moment out Game of Thrones (Venice definitely reminds me of Westeros). Rowing though the canals and seeing the entrances to buildings and restaurants where you can just hop off was intriguing. Floating through this ancient city has such a calming and eerie feeling. The streets are very small and the walls in the canals are close together. Somehow this gives Venice, although a large city a very comforting feel.
My gondola driver and I rowed into darkness and Venice turned into an even more beautiful city. The lights reflected off the water and the gothic statues. The city seems to come alive at night even though many shops and eateries don’t stay open too late.
Since I got a late start , my night ended pretty early. My gondola driver took me to a local bar and we had the local bar drink ,Venetian spritz. Usually local drinks are more of an acquired taste for the locals but this one was pretty good. You can taste the wine in the drink but it has a sweet undertone. The Spritz is a mixture of Prosecco, Aperol, and soda water. Definitely try it if you’re in the town!
Eventually I went back to the hotel since it was dark and I was alone but I will say Venice is super easy to navigate in the day or night and is a safe city. For a first timer, I found my way exceptionally well and definitely say try it yourself before hiring a tour guide.
I definitely have to return and do a better and more vast exploration of Venice. Next time, I CANNOT sleep.
-❤️Choonks