TRIP STORY: Venice — The City That Welcomed Us With Kindness, Canals, and a Thousand Hidden Corners
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This is a Venice travel story with a rocky start but ended by showing us the heart of Venice... I hope you enjoy it!
Here’s the thing… this place doesn’t try to impress you upfront. It unfolds. One canal at a time. One narrow alley at a time. One act of kindness at a time.
We took a first-class train from Rome across vineyards, olive groves, and lemon orchards — the kind of ride that makes you slow down and pay attention. When we arrived at the Venice station, we jumped into a water taxi with confidence… until a small communication error dropped us on a platform at Hotel Locanda Vivaldi that had no path to the street.
Enter Gianni.
The first Venetian we met — and the perfect one. He stepped out of the hotel, figured out where our apartment was, called another taxi, and gave us the lay of the land in Dorsoduro like a friend welcoming us to his hometown. That kindness set the tone for the whole trip.
When we finally settled in, we headed to Hostaria Osottoosopra, where we met Paulo — a restaurant manager who treated us like old friends. He walked us through the menu, explained how everything was sourced locally, and watched with a grin as I accidentally ordered two entrées thinking one was an appetizer platter.
He introduced us to a local wine made with both grapes and cherries — a “once in a lifetime taste.” He wasn’t wrong. And just when we thought the night couldn’t get better, he dropped a full bottle of limoncello on the table “compliments of the house,” sat with us, and helped finish it.
And that was only night one!
Day One — Squares, Basilicas & Sunset Options
We walked to St. Mark’s Square early — a slow, scenic stroll that made the city feel like it was waking up with us. Breakfast in the square had that classic Venice energy: calm, airy, just enough chaos to remind you where you are.
The Doge’s Palace tour was incredible — gold-lined halls, massive courtyards, and the unforgettable Casanova escape story down in the dungeons.
Next came St. Mark’s Basilica, glowing with centuries of marble, mosaics, and devotion.
From there we hopped a gondola ferry to Santa Maria della Salute — a quiet, elegant church that felt tucked away from the world.
The afternoon was pure wandering:
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Rialto Bridge
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Markets
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Dorsoduro (right outside our apartment)
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San Zaccaria if we wanted to tuck into another church
By late afternoon we headed back to recharge before dinner.
For sunset, we had two standout choices:
Skyline Rooftop Bar for 360° views or Terrazza Danieli for a front-row seat to the lagoon turning gold. Venice doesn’t do “average sunsets.” It paints them.
Day Two — Murano, Burano & Cannaregio Charm
We took the vaporetto to Murano to watch glass-blowing masters at work.
Third, fourth, even seventh-generation artists — each with their own specialty, technique, and signature imperfection. It was mesmerizing. The kind of craftsmanship you can feel in the air.
Then on to Burano — the island of color.
Bright houses. Lace shops. Narrow alleys. Some of the most photogenic corners you’ll ever find. Lunch at Trattoria al Gatto Nero was the standout — simple, local, unforgettable.
Back on the main island, we explored Cannaregio — quieter, more local, full of history and charm. Optional stops like Madonna dell’Orto and San Francesco della Vigna waited for those who love peaceful churches and cool courtyards.
We crossed over to San Giorgio Maggiore for the bell tower climb — just 20 minutes, but with the best panoramic view in Venice. Perfect for golden hour photos.
Dinner capped the night at Al Timon — cicchetti, wine, grilled meats, and seats on boats tied along the canal. Somehow chaotic and peaceful at the same time.
Day Three — Murano Glass, Doge’s Palace Stories & A Gondola to Remember
By day three, Venice felt like home.
We took the waterbus to Murano once more to see more artistry up close — watching molten sand turn into masterpieces. Each piece carried its artist’s identity, a living legacy passed down through generations.
But the gondola ride… that’s the part that stays with you.
Our gondolier took us deep into tiny canals — narrow passageways, unexpected turns, quiet corners where Venice reveals its softer heartbeat. Sounds echoed, water lapped against stone, the air smelled like history. It was romantic, intimate, and unlike anything else.
We wrapped up the day back at Doge’s Palace, retelling the Casanova escape story and marveling at the gold, marble, and impossibly preserved statues.
By the end of the trip, Venice didn’t feel foreign anymore. It felt familiar — like a place we’d always known but only just rediscovered.
Lessons Learned
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Water taxis are expensive — a multi-day unlimited pass is the smart play.
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Venice rewards the wanderers — some of the best moments weren’t even on the itinerary.
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Venetians are warm, kind, and deeply proud of their city. Let them guide you.