A new husband, a fresh passport and a ticket to Italy!

2001 was an amazing year for me.  I got engaged, I quit my job, I got married, I moved to another state, and I traveled abroad for the first time in my life.  What better place to begin than the magical, romantic city of Venice! 

Since it was our honeymoon, we were sparing almost no expense and the first thing we did upon landing was hire a water taxi to take us to our hotel.  What a luxurious and fun way to start off a great vacation!  The taxi boats are beautiful and our driver zipped up and down little canals eventually entering onto the Grand Canal.  I experienced full sensory overload at the stunning sights and sounds of Venice and all her glory.  Our driver pulled up to what is considered a "dock".   It was about the size of two 2"x4" planks of wood side by side.  It was so scary trying to walk the narrow plank with our bags, barely maintaining balance over the dark mysterious water of the canal.  That night I had a dream that I stood and watched helplessly as my suitcase tipped in slow motion over into the water, never to be recovered!  I was quite distraught at the thought of loosing my beloved wardrobe to the questionable water of the Grand Canal.  But I digress...

Every day was a new adventure through narrow streets and over charming bridges.  My favorite thing to do was just walk, and as we did we discovered the most picturesque places I had ever seen.  I only wish 12 megapixel cameras were invented back then!!  But I am grateful to have captured the images we have.   (This explains the fuzzy-ish photos). 

Every morning we were pleasantly awoken by the chiming campanile seen from our window.  I can still hear it in my memories as if it were yesterday.  We would have a nice continental breakfast in our hotel where the windows faced the Grand Canal and we could see the morning sun illuminate the bright colors of the buildings across the canal.  Then we would start walking the city.  Being up earlier in the morning proves beneficial as the streets are emptier before the big tourist rush at the middle of the day.

Shopping in Venice is so fun!  Between the ornate carnival masks, the beautiful Murano glass, and the delicate lace, among many other things, you will not leave empty handed.   The Rialto Bridge also has a lot of shopping including many jewelry and souvenir shops.  Speaking of the Rialto Bridge, it's so incredibly amazing, but be prepared for huge crowds and big time hustle and bustle.  I recommend taking one early morning trip straight here while it's quieter and watch the sun bring the Grand Canal to life.  The views of, as well as the views from the Rialto Bridge are like standing in a painting from hundreds of years ago.  It's almost indescribable.  If you love coconut like I do, there are little snack stands near the bridge that sell pieces of coconut.  It was so unique...the coconut pieces are on a  three tiered stand and water constantly runs over them creating little waterfalls.   It was one of my favorite things to get everyday.  Also, the many Pasticcerias (Bakerys) have numerous delectable goodies that beckon to be sampled!

Being in Venice for our Honeymoon we definitely could not pass up a Gondola ride!  Yes, it was very expensive, but it was also absolutely unforgettable!  Our tour began on the Grand Canal and weaved through many little beautiful canals.  Our Gondolier was friendly and pointed out some notable sites.  If you want a singing Gondolier, it is much more expensive.  If you can swing it, I think you will find a Gondola ride in Venice to be an experience of a lifetime.

St. Mark's Square is brilliant!  The Doge's Palace is a must-see!  You can go up to the top of the bell tower (for a fee) and see a stunning 360 degree view of Venice.   Word has it that although there are hundreds of canals in Venice, while standing at the top of the Bell Tower not one is visible...they are all hidden beyond rooftops!  And while you are in St. Mark's Square you simply must sit and have coffee and listen to the beautiful music at the different cafes.  Each cafe takes a turn playing a few numbers before the next starts playing. Be prepared for added charges to sit at the table, but it's worth it at least one night.  By the end of the night there was a huge mass of a crowd that would stand and just move from one cafe to the next to hear the music and not have to pay a seating charge. 

For its beauty, history and charm, Venice continues to be one of my all time favorite cities.  It is so stunning that I think it is impossible to take a bad picture here.  Put Venice at the top of your list!