Sixteen years ago my husband and I landed in Venice for the first time. It was our much-anticipated first trip to Europe together as relative newlyweds. The year was 2003 and I’ll never forget flying over the intricately woven islands, mercurial hues of water, while squeezing our hands together in breathless anticipation. It was our first travel dream together come true!

Our stay in Venice was pure magic. I remember the carefree feeling of getting lost wandering along the canals, a leisurely candlelit dinner in a piazza we could never find again, a romantic sunset gondola ride and a moonlight dance in St. Marks’ Square.

Scott and I returned to Venice last September for a few days before our Azamara Mediterranean cruise. This trip we had dear friends who joined us, gathering pre-cruise for a short stay, and we made the most of our time in Venezia. Mr. C.T. and I replicated our sunset dance at St. Mark’s Square listening to the small orchestra while watching the sunset and enjoying an aperitif. This trip we added a boat trip to the colorful islands of Burano, home of the rainbow-colored buildings, and Murano known for the famed glass-blowing and lace factories.

We dined alongside the canal and discovered another authentic piazza for an alfresco lunch. This time we marked it our new discoveries on a map on our iPhone so that we could find them again.

A glimpse of Venice in Autumn:

Venice has a unique rhythm all its own and it’s unlike any place we’ve ever visited. Picture the ornate Venetian architecture, art, history, foodie delicacies, masterful blown-glass with the backdrop of the iconic gondolas on the water. There are no cars allowed in Venice so you travel everywhere by boat or on foot. This adds a unique and romantic twist. Yes, Venice can be overcrowded and very touristy but seek out the less traveled canals, passageways, and piazzas, and magic abounds in and around Venice.

The islands of Murano and Burano were a colorful sidetrip one afternoon. The first stop was the glass blowing demonstration on Murano. Next up was lunch, lace and the colorful shades of Burano. Definitely not to be missed for the photographer.

“Underneath day’s azure eyes, Ocean’s nursling, Venice, lies,— A peopled labyrinth of walls, Amphitrite’s destined halls, Which her hoary sire now paves With his blue and beaming waves. Lo! the sun upsprings behind, Broad, red, radiant, half reclined On the level quivering line Of the waters crystalline; And before that chasm of light, As within a furnace bright, Column, tower, and dome, and spire Shine like obelisks of fire, Pointing with inconstant motion From the altar of dark ocean To the sapphire-tinted skies; As the flames of sacrifice From the marble shrines did rise, As to pierce the dome of gold Where Apollo spoke of old. Sun-girt city! thou hast been Ocean’s child, and then his queen. ”

— Percy Bysshe Shelley

Venice is pure magic on the water at night!

We discovered this sweet piazza off the beaten path. It was perfect for perusing the market and enjoy a bistro lunch, with a fresh Caprese salad and a colorful Aperol spritz.

I dug out these images from our first visit to Venice in 2003.

Where has the time gone?

One of the headlines in the news today is the catastrophic flooding in Venice. It’s the second-worst flooding event in the last 50 years. I saw a video of a man swimming in St. Mark’s Square! It’s heartbreaking to see this iconic treasure of a city underwater. If you have not had a chance to visit Venice I would advise putting it as high as possible on your wander list. There is a fragile beauty to this city and it won’t be here forever.

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