Our Family Trip to Venice

    We were finally able to do our first big trip outside of Germany! We discussed as a family and decided on Venice. We booked our trip for 3 days thinking that would be plenty of time to see the small floating city, but we were mistaken. We did not even do half of what we had planned, but that seems like a great excuse to go again very soon! It truly is a magical city with postcard views at every turn. 

 After arriving at the airport we went outside to what felt like an odd sight. We had left the world of roads and saw only boats for our options to reach the island of Venice. We decided to take the water bus from the airport to the closest dock to our hotel. The bus ride was beautiful and gave us full view of the island. Once we arrived at the dock we gathered our things and started walking to our hotel. Eventually we found our way through the maze of crowded alleys to Hotel Scandinavia in Campo di Santa Maria Formosa. The location was perfect! Walking distance to everything, but out of the way enough to be quiet (and less expensive). After putting away our bags we went exploring through the streets.

We did a little souvenir shopping and found a nice spot to enjoy some dinner. We did not have any big plans for our first day so we enjoyed taking in the city for the first time at leisure. We loved watching the sunset on the Accademia Bridge. We eventually made our way back over to out hotel and enjoyed some drinks while a man played the saxophone nearby. 

The next morning we enjoyed a light breakfast at our hotel then started our adventures for the day. We found more espresso along the way as well! We visited Piazza San Marco and saw beautiful views of the lagoon, San Marco bell tower, Doge's Palace, and the Basilica. The lines were longer than we anticipated so we unfortunately didn't go inside this trip. But the outside was absolutely amazing. Then it became even more amazing when I remembered these buildings were floating.

Later in the day we enjoyed a plague tour. We learned about the darker history of the island and how the plague waves were handled. This was especially interesting seeing as we are living through similar (though obviously much less horrific) times. We also learned that we happened to be there during Festa del Redentore (Feast of the Redeemer). This is an annual celebration of the end of the second plague wave during 1577. This day is reserved for local Venetians and tourists are not permitted to participate in the festivities. We did however, get to spot some of the firework show from the bar outside our hotel while we sipped on bellinis. 

Our last day we woke sad to be leaving already, but excited for the day. We walked the Rialto bridge after breakfast and explored the markets. Then enjoyed some drinks in the shade. Even with all the people, the atmosphere is relaxing. There are no motor vehicles on the island, so the hustle and bustle is still there but definitely different. 

We saved the gondola ride for the last day and it was lovely. 

Ella had been looking forward to tortellini for months and we finally found her some! She let me snag a bite and it was simply amazing. 

Then after lunch we went on a guided kids scavenger hunt where we got to see even more of this beautiful and enchanting city. 

We underestimated the walking time we needed to get to the train station (we went to visit a friend near Aviano after this). So we had to splurge a bit and take a water taxi. But it was the perfect ending to our trip. The taxi boats are beautiful and we got to see Venice from the water some more (and get a good breeze). It was also nice to end the trip with a relaxing goodbye. 

Venice was much more than the expected canals and gondolas. It feels like a place where time slows down even if it is just for a little while. We cannot wait to go again! 

Sending good vibes your way! 

- Lauren