Venezia Venezia Venezia, you truly are a gift that keeps on giving, an endless treasure. Welcome to Venice, the everlasting gem of Veneto in Italy.
Venice, the heart of Italy's Veneto region, is an enigmatic city that refuses to be forgotten. Nestled on over 100 petite islands within the embrace of the Adriatic Sea, its charm is unparalleled. The absence of roads, replaced by an intricate network of canals, sets Venice apart from any other city worldwide. Leaving Venice felt premature (more on this soon) – with its boundless beauty, the city felt like a gift we had only just begun to unwrap.
Five years ago, in 2018, we were fortunate to visit Venice on a day trip in February during the full swing of Carnival. The city was bursting with infectious energy, and the locals were all filling the city in elaborate costumes and masks. That day has always held a special place in our hearts.
Back to the present, we were excited as memories flooded back, and we slowly approached the canal city by train from Bologna!
Travelling lightly, so after deboarding, we took to the cobblestone streets decorated by canals and majestic little bridges to navigate our way to our Airbnb in the mid-summer heat.
Upon entering our Airbnb, the magnificent building we would call home for a week, you are transported back to the early days of Venice, opulence at its best.
We fell in love with the spacious design, decor, and high ceilings of the apartment, and the views over the quiet canal were spoilt by a glimpse of the sunsets, too.
It was a blessing to stay in a quiet little corner away from the hustle and bustle of tourists, yet only minutes from all you need to be.
After settling in, it was time to meet our lovely friends for a welcome dinner like no other at The Gritti Palace on the terrace at Club del Doge overlooking the raw beauty of Venice on the Grand Canal. It was a perfect evening, full of laughter, fun, fabulous food, and wine; we all had a blast and continued to pinch ourselves. We enjoyed the evening together in the most idyllic location on the world-famous Grand Canal, creating magical memories.
Dinner was only the beginning of making memories; we followed this with a day trip to Murano, Burano and Lido with our dear friends and their gorgeous girls; thank you for having us along and sharing your family vacay. The day began early with a luxurious private water taxi cruising through the quiet canals of Venice with a new appreciation of these pristine boats; they are something else!
We arrive in Murano for our first adventure of the day, a visit Mazzega Merano to see the masters perform their magic and create awe-inspiring art pieces. It provided a newfound respect for the art of glass after experiencing the extreme heat working conditions they experience each day and the effort it entails.
Watching the glass evolve and come to life as a piece for all to appreciate was extraordinary. We loved chatting with Marco and hearing about the history of the Mazzega Murano and how each generation continues the family traditions for glass art and ancient processes. The showroom provided an excellent selection of their craft as we carefully viewed the displays.