Venice: Day 2

January 29, 2024

When we decided to come to Venice at the last minute (which is how we travel, we aren't great planners), we were told it had been foggy for the past few weeks. Lucky for us, today was a very sunny day! So we made the most of it.

We are staying in Cannaregio, a quieter neighborhood further away from the action. It's nice because it's peaceful and also forces us to walk into the mix. We decided not to head out bright and early this morning, hoping that the gods of laziness would be on our side. We have heard that many people prefer not to stay on the island, traveling in during the day, touring around, and then leaving. Apparently, if you're slightly out of step with these visitors, you might find things more to your favor. Today, this proved true.

It was cold, but we were prepared. With the sunny weather, we headed out. They say it's easy to get lost in Venice, but with all the people around, you can just follow them. We barely needed a map to reach St. Mark's Square. Winding through the streets of Cannaregio, crossing bridges, checking out shops, eateries, and a few retail shops along the canals, we immersed ourselves in the local ambiance. I bought a new hat and some polarized sunglasses, necessities to deal with the cold and glaring sun.

Everyone seemed to be in a good mood, taking pictures and filling the walkways. Patience is key. We finally made our way to St. Mark's Square, a sight to behold. It's much different than Rome, more akin to the 700AD modern, unlike Rome's 700BC modernity. We walked around the square, admiring the basilica, Doge's Palace, and the views across the water to several other churches emerging from the fog. Breathtaking, unlike anything I've ever seen. I can understand why the Venetians held it in such high regard, being a capital of trade for an extended period. It's easy to feel like the Gods of the world here.

We turned the corner to Doge's Palace and, to our surprise, found no line. We've had similar luck in Rome and gladly welcomed it. Buying a ticket, we entered a nearly empty palace. It's massive, adorned with wondrous paintings, frescoes, and exceptional woodworking craftsmanship. If you ever visit, don't miss it. Though in winter, the palace is quite cold and the tour is not short—about 1.5 to 2 hours—but simply amazing.

By the time we exited, minds blown, we were freezing. So, we stopped at a cafe for an aperitivo and to plan our next move. As you know, picking places to eat is our kryptonite. Knowing it was too early for dinner, we started looking for a place to have some cicchetti, the Venetian version of tapas.

We stumbled into a place called Il Santo Bevitore, offering a decent selection of international beers and some cicchetti. It didn't take long for us to settle in, especially when we realized they were playing a selection of American blues and rock, including Kenny Wayne Shepard, Alabama Shakes, and Ray LaMontagne. Was it an immersive Italian experience? Probably not. But a nice oasis after a long day of walking? Definitely.

Afterwards, we walked home, debating whether to go out for dinner. We decided to stay in, enjoying a delicious selection of foods we'd bought from the grocery store, all while sitting by our dining room window next to a Venetian canal.

Ciao, bella! Baci!