Around the World in Reality: Venice, Italy

While life in the second half of the year kept us quite busy, rest assured that there are still plenty of adventures to be shared! The European journey that began in the summer didn’t conclude in Milan; it continued on to Venice, and I promise, you won’t have to wait another six months before discovering the last two stops on this adventure.

Day 1 – Tuesday, June 13

HIGHLIGHTS: Rio Novo, Boat Cruise and Dama Restaurant

Early Tuesday morning, we made our way to the train station. I purchased our tickets in advance, but they can also be purchased onsite. I was very excited about the train ride as I thoroughly enjoyed our first train ride from London to Amsterdam. The ride was swift, lasting just an hour with a handful of stops along the way.

When we arrived, we headed straight to our hotel. Despite the room not being ready, the hotel staff kindly offered us nearby recommendations. Opting for Rio Novo, a restaurant just a short walk away, we chose to wait for a waterside seat. During our wait, we struck up a conversation with a friendly lady from Charlotte, realizing how small the world can truly be. Seated at a picturesque table by the water, we began our lunch with bruschetta, which turned out to be the best I’ve ever had—undoubtedly deserving a solid ten rating. I decided to try the popular Venetian drink, the Select spritz, and would rate it a solid 7. For the main course, I savored the incredibly fresh seabass, giving it a solid 9. Donnell opted for the fettuccine alfredo, which he thoroughly enjoyed. To cap off our meal, although not my favorite, we were offered limoncello shots.

Upon returning to our hotel, we were pleased to find that our room was ready. During the check-in process, we discovered that the hotel offered an electric boat tour exclusively for its guests. While traditional gondolas are a popular choice for most tourists, I was more intrigued by the prospect of exploring the city at a quicker pace. With this in mind, we decided to give it a try.

After settling into our room, we took a brief power nap to recharge before heading downstairs for the afternoon boat tour. The experience turned out to be delightful, circling the main island of Venice. The weather was perfect, and I particularly enjoyed the swiftness with which we were able to take in the sights. I would wholeheartedly recommend this electric boat tour for a unique and efficient way to explore the city.

Later in the evening, we dressed up and took a leisurely stroll to our dinner reservation at Dama. I was particularly thrilled about this restaurant as it stood out as one of the few establishments offering a tasting menu on the island. Having developed a fondness for tasting menus, my expectations were high. We decided to indulge in the eight-course offering and were pleasantly surprised to find that it exceeded our expectations.

I thoroughly enjoyed every course, with the exception of the one just before the last. Fortunately, this hiccup wasn’t a showstopper, and I was relieved that it wasn’t the grand finale. The final course managed to redeem the overall dining experience, and I would confidently rate the tasting menu a solid 9.

Day 2 – Wednesday, June 14

HIGHLIGHTS: Fluffy Brunch, Glass Blowing Class, Ostaria La Busara, T Fondaco Rooftop Terrace and Food Tour

For breakfast, we chose Fluffy Brunch, a small café with charming decor. I ordered the Fluffy cinnamon pancakes with salted caramel, but unfortunately, they didn’t live up to their appealing appearance. I would rate them a 6. Donnell, on the other hand, enjoyed his avocado toast.

With some time to spare, we decided to take the Traghetto to continue exploring Venice. It was a quick and enjoyable experience, costing only 2 euros per person.

After a leisurely stroll, we made our way to our glassblowing class. While most classes are typically held on the island of Murano, to our surprise, we found this class conveniently located on the main island. Our session began with observing our skilled instructor craft a unique figure, featuring the head of an animal and the body of a woman. Yes, we were able to take this creation with us, though I must admit, it won’t be on my Christmas tree.

Following the demonstration, we created our own necklaces to take home. This proved to be an amazing experience that I thoroughly enjoyed. I would highly recommend it, especially for those who may not have the time to visit Murano or even for those who do.

By this time, we had worked up quite an appetite, and it was time for lunch. Our chosen spot was Ostaria La Busara, a place we observed to be frequented by locals—a strong indicator of its quality. With our schedule leaving no room for downtime, we promptly placed our orders.

I opted for the black spaghetti with scampi, saffron, and courgette flowers. The dish was exceptionally delicious, and I would give it a solid 9. Donnell, sticking to his culinary comfort zone, enjoyed the Salmon au gratin. Ostaria La Busara is the kind of restaurant where you could easily spend the entire day, savoring each dish and soaking in the ambiance. Unfortunately, we had to move on to our next adventure, but it’s a place I would certainly recommend for a leisurely dining experience.

Next, we headed to T Fondaco Rooftop Terrace—one of the rare rooftop spots offering panoramic views in Venice. To experience this breathtaking view, it’s essential to secure a time slot in advance. I highly recommend making a reservation as soon as they become available, as the demand is very high.

The views from the terrace were beautiful, and the weather was perfect. If you find yourself in Venice, this free rooftop experience is not to be missed. The lovely views and the overall ambiance make it a worthwhile addition to your itinerary.

Our final activity for the day was a food tour. Initially, I had reservations because the cost seemed surprisingly reasonable, but it turned out to be a fabulous experience. The tour took us on a delicous journey, starting with pastries from Mauro El forner de Cantron, followed by cicchettis from Cantina Do Mori, Acqua A Mais, and Basegone, and concluding with gelato from Il Doge. It proved to be a perfect way to culminate our two days in Venice, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to explore different culinary offerings of the city.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Venice, and I’m glad we opted for the train journey. The duration was just right for me, providing a perfect balance. While Venice may not be a destination I plan to revisit in the future, I do understand how it captures the hearts of many.

Stay tuned for the next blog post, where I’ll be sharing our experiences from our third stop, Munich!