Oh man, I cannot believe it’s been almost a year since Covid hit Italy. We are on and off of lockdown, barely able to travel & ultimately trying to be thankful for our health and that we get to live in such a beautiful place even if we aren’t allowed to explore much. As soon as restrictions temporarily lifted, Sam and I headed to Venice to explore a bit before rules would tighten again. We are currently allowed to travel without our region, while wearing masks at all times (unless in your home with your immediate family), museums are closed, but you can sit down to have a coffee or quick snack, while meals need to be take out only. It’s still really hard for me to see Venice this empty, but we are soaking up every chance we can get to be OUT for leisure.
Here is what we did with a quick day in Venice while the kids were in school……Literally such a great day. Although, could any day in Venice be bad?!
Of course, we stopped for a coffee and brioche at Torrefazione Cannaregio and got a cute little table outside right on the water. It was still a little chilly as it was pretty early but you can’t pass up a cappuccino anywhere in Italy, the ambience is always perfection, it would be a sin. (How I justify my daily cappuccino habit….)
Then we found our way over to Ponte Chiodo the historic footbridge without any railings – the only one of it’s kind in Venice! Pretty cool to see (did you know there are over 400 bridges in Venice?) in person, but definitely watch your step so you don’t fall in!
Then, we went to get a FREE Rooftop View of Venice at Fondaco Rooftop Terrace. This secret spot is at the very top of a high end shopping mall. Just reserve your time slot in advance and then take the escalators all the way to the top for this incredible view:
Of course, a trip to Venice is NOT complete without a stop at Liberia Acqua Alta. I have been inside this bookstore approximately 10 times, and this was the FIRST time I actually managed to pick something out! An Italian Shakespeare – it’s beautiful!
Then, we wandered over to explore Scala Contarini del Bovolo (Bovolo is snail in Italian). We were lucky and got one of the guards to let us in even though the gates were locked and nobody else was inside. Absolutely gorgeous staircase. Definitely worth the climb for another awesome lookout of Venice.
Then, Sam convinced me I needed to go on my first Gondola ride, so we promptly found the hottest Gondolier, ended up getting his not so hot colleague to row us around (bummer) but it was still pretty magical.
And then, we called it a day so we could head back and tend to the children.
Pretty freaking crazy that we can just drive to Venice for a few hours. So freaking thankful. They are going to make me leave Italy in a year LEGITIMATELY KICKING AND SCREAMING.
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