Venice

Oct 1

**Venice- Church of San Giorgio Maggiore**

Venice is a city in northeastern Italy and the capital of the Veneto region and was founded in the 6th century. It is built on a group of over 100 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by over 400 bridges. The lagoon city was built on the Adriatic Sea and has no roads, just canals lined with Renaissance and Gothic palaces.

Venice was once under control of the Ottoman Empire and was conquered and ruled by Napoleon. It was the final destination of the Silk Road which made it the greatest trading port in European history.

It is a place for lovers and the scene and backdrop of countless movies and books. You can feel the richness and history with every step you take and breath you gasp.

Working the Maze

The best way to take in the sights and sounds is by foot. You will find many places to congegrate. Small city squares, assorted eateries and shops are abundant and the best plan to find something cool is the “no plan”, plan.

Going out and exploring is my approach no matter where I go. I have found in my vast years of exploration, European cities add an extra element that I call the maze. Venice keeps up with this tradition, no question. The buildings are not skyscrapers but tall enough to see only a sliver of sky. The corridors look oddly familiar with their 50’ walls of brick and matching cobblestone paths. It is best to find something to save to your memory; a small patch of graffiti, a brightly painted door, just find something that will trigger your brain to recognize you have been down this way before.

I would find myself walking for 15 minutes and be right back where I started. The maze has got many many times over years and when you throw in drugs and or alcohol or even some weather this can make things very complicated! Even in a city made up of small islands you can get yourself lost. Again, It’s not that big but you might find yourself passing a person or couple that you passed a few minutes ago and think you're in the Matrix. Not to worry, you are exploring and at least you got your steps in to counter the 200 carbs you just ingested from that pizza and 6 Peroni’s.

Venice City Center

A casual stroll thru the city center.

Views From The Water

Sunset Cruise

Gondola Rides

What everyone pictures when they hear Venice. They are only used by tourists and they will set you back about 30 euros per person for an hour. The detail and look of them though are pretty cool, hey why not?

Water Taxis

will be your main mode of transportation after walking. No one mentions or warns you…..if you are tall, like over 6 feet, you will lose your head if you stand up in the back. The canal bridges are solid and hang low in most instances!

The Food

I ate like a king!

You will find all the seafood and pasta that you would expect to find in any great Italian city. Pizza is absolutely amazing. But even visiting at the height of the pandemic there was no shortage of food options.

For my kosher friends do not worry, they have plenty of options. This city is very accommodating to all lifestyles and has influences from all over the world.

Cosmopolitan is the best way to describe Venice and you will most certainly find this in the variety of foods found in Venice.

Arriving and Departing

Arriving and departing the city is interesting task and proved unlike any other.

Arriving: We took the train in from Florence. Upgrading to business class is necessary. You get a very comfortable seat with as many USB ports as you can handle, they also throw in cookies and a pop.

Departing: The flight was very early. We loaded the water taxi at 4:30 am into the foggy water and proceded into the pitch black darkness. It’s a 40 minute boat ride and then you arrive.

It felt surreal to land on a boat dock, walk down a corridor and board a plane.

Map of Venice

Detailed Map of Venice

This map is basic but it gives you a general sense of what Venice is like. You can see in the upper left where you arrive if you come in by train which we did on the way. The upper right is where you go to get to the airport. Both destinations will most likely require a water taxi which are expensive and have euros in your pocket, credit cards are not the same here as they are in States.