Venice: The Everlasting Gem of Veneto

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.

Our second adventure was visiting Burano, a Venetian Lagoon island famous for lacemaking and small, brightly painted houses all nestled around a beautiful canal and cobblestone alleys. We wandered around and marvelled at the lace work and beautiful items you could purchase; they also have an impressive range of high-quality linen pieces to enhance your summer wardrobe. We stopped for a quick bite and the obligatory Campari Spritz to start the day and shelter from the heat.

Fun fact: If someone wishes to paint their home, one must send a request to the government, who will notify them of the certain colours permitted for that lot. The island is considered among the ten most colourful places in the world.

Now our bellies were satisfied; we were all back on the boat for a 50-minute cruise to our next destination, the famous Hotel Excelsior Venice, a luxury resort in Lido on the beach in Venice…the only hotel that can boast this unique distinction, it also hosts the world-famous Film Festival annually. As we approach the hotel, the boat sneaks into a small inlet; we are mesmerised by the surrounding atmosphere and the spectacular hotel upon us.

We soon found ourselves on the endless private sandy beachside of Venice, settling into a beach cabana for the day. The weather was initially questionable, but with only the afternoon to experience, we were making the most of it, and our spirits were heightened all the same. An afternoon of captivating views, being delivered our food and drinks whilst we all enjoyed each other's company, was perfection. Kel, you are an absolute rockstar in discovering the hidden gems!

After an afternoon of sun, water and beverages, before our water taxi returns, we sneak up to the terrace for a final cocktail and a snack before returning to Venice. We couldn't have timed our return better with the sunset as we approached the unforgettable landscape of the floating city of Venice - a perfect ending to our first few days in Venice.

The family vacay is ending; it's already time to bid farewell to our fabulous and fun travel companions. After a few hectic days of sightseeing and making the most of their time discovering Venice, we decided to relax in the serene courtyard of their stunning Airbnb, enjoying drinks and nibbles overlooking the Grand Canal.

Wayne and I were a little early for once, but as we strolled the cobblestone streets of Venice, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to enjoy a slow lunch in an old-school trattoria with tables on a small canalside balcony.

We were welcomed by the team at Ristorante Sempione with such warmth and were grateful to be moved to such a magical table once it became vacant partway through our meal. Our table was overlooking the canal on the terrace, with the gondolas passing us by while we devoured, yes, you guessed it, more delicious Italian food! We loved being intimate with the canal and the Gondolas; we would 'Salute' them as they passed us by; it was loads of fun and provided the Venice experience.

After lunch, we strolled across to our friends to enjoy an afternoon of G&T's and reflect on the past few days we spent together while soaking up the breathtaking canal view through the beautiful archway; it was picture-perfect. As the sunset blessed us with its presence, the drinks were flowing, we were full of laughter, the dancing started on the canal, and we all enjoyed the moment, basking in our time together in this picturesque floating city of Venice; we couldn't have planned a perfect farewell until we meet again, we will cherish the time we all spent in Venice.

Our journey in Venice is far from over! As the day we were supposed to bid farewell to this enchanting city approached, we couldn't resist the allure of its winding canals and hidden alleyways. In a spontaneous twist, we decided to prolong our stay for an additional five nights. Keep an eye out for updates on our final week as we continue to discover the magic of Venice.