We rolled into Venice, our first stop from Slovenia, and quickly realized that our two days allotted to explore was an entirely laughable amount of time.
Our first hint to this epic mistake was the fact that for every ten steps we took, we had to stop and consult our map. The island is such a maze of small streets, alleys, bridges and canals that getting routinely lost is actually part of the prescribed “Venice experience“. As enjoyable as that game of aimless wandering can be, it makes finding the things that we wanted to seek out infinitely harder.
Venice is also much bigger then we thought it would be. Perhaps we had gotten too used to the quaint and compact cities of Croatia and Slovenia that we were used to getting anywhere we wanted to be quickly. That is definitely not the case in Venice, as to get from one side of the island to the other, including (several) wrong turns took us at least a half an hour – including hurrying but excluding taking (several) wrong turns. After being forced to run through the narrow streets in order to catch a ferry to scenic Burano, I actually declared Pete a miraculous hero for guiding and getting us there just in time.
Despite being constantly turned around, we were instantly charmed with the scenery and atmosphere of the watery city, but sadly didn’t form anything more than superficial impressions. Two days is nowhere near enough time to do anything but snap photos of popular sights and stuff ourselves with a few plates of pasta.
Something tells me that this will be a common theme throughout Italy…
Next time? We’ll be sure to hop on a Venice Gondola Ride.
Venice at sunset is an unmissable sight.
Burano is a quaint, very colorful island in the Venetian lagoon that was incredibly quiet in comparison.
Exploring is always fun with friends. Especially bacon-y ones!
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Huge thanks to Francesco at Casa Dei Pittori for the discounted apartment during our stay in Venice. For a complete review on it, please click here.
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What can I say? I feel so envious @ the beauty & awe that you guys are experiencing.
Thank you <3
Thought of you so often in those few days! <3
That’s because loveliness runs in your family! Thank you from the bottom of my heart… <3
xoxoxoxo
When I visited Venice I realised that it is a place where it is almost impossible to take a bad photo.
I have even published a few really nice ones on my blog. You can check them out if you are interested…
( http://www.travel-pb.com/search/label/Venice )
Judging from your results, you had a similar experience. 😉
Love your pictures of masks! We had a few too, damn that I forgot to include them… 🙂
Thanks. 🙂
I am glad you remembered now. There is always room for another post. 😉
Marko @ Travel Photo Blogging recently posted..Lyrical Minutes in the City of Ljubljana
Yes! We are planning an Italy wrap-up photo post, you can now bet one of them will be in there! 🙂
AMAZING photos! Johnny and I are headed to Venice for 2 days after we leave Paris, and now I’m worried we won’t have enough time. It looks SO beautiful!
Sheryll recently posted..Ancient Rome
Be prepared to be lost, and maybe to run if you get behind! You will LOVE it, it is really gorgeous, but if you can afford the time to stay longer – do it!
Beautiful pics. I spent four days there and it still wasn’t enough. It’s so nice to hear from other people who loved Venice, I have read to many blogs where people say it’s too touristy, but I think the tourists are all there for a reason – it’s a gorgeous and unique place!
Amanda Kendle recently posted..Weekend Wanderings: It’s a Christmas link-up!
We were there in VERY off season (if Venice has one!) which is probably good, as crowds of people tend to annoy me as well. But I think I would still love it, it really, really is beautiful!
I would love to blow each of those photos up and hang them as wall sized posters in my house. Ah, Venice.
Emily S. recently posted..This is a Hold Up!
Venice definitely has an off season, which is not mid July! We had been warned but figured we could handle the crowds. We quickly found out we couldn’t haha If you’re at all claustrophobic avoid high season. They unload gigantic cruise ships onto the island and there’s hardly any room to walk. Plus the stench of the sewers is breath taking.
Nat recently posted..Outdoor Wonderland: BC in pictures
Oooh – perhaps we are quite glad to have been there in November then. Not sure if I could handle that either!
When I went to Venice, it was in February, so very cold, very rainy. But, still, hauntingly beautiful. These photos and what you saw are what I would have loved to experience. All the more reason I have to go back, eh?
dtravelsround recently posted..Escape of the Week: Sintra, Portugal
We say that about most everyplace we’ve been to! There are almost always reasons to go back! 🙂
I loooove Venice — I had family who lived there for awhile, and it was so fun to visit them. And you got to see Ayngelina!!! Isn’t she the best?!
We had a lot of fun with Ayngelina! And drank a LOT of wine! 🙂
These are beautiful photos, I especially love the ones of Burano. Venice was ever really high on my list of places to visit, until I went there and I was awestruck with how pretty the city was – definitely a place I want to go back and visit.
Yes, I’d love to spend more time there too and explore all the little streets! Burano was a gorgeous spot as well.
Oh! Venice is on my must travel list, dont think I will be able to visit it though… These pics are breathtakingly beautiful! Thanks for sharing. Have a fabulous sunday:)
Arti recently posted..Photographical Memories from the Himalayas: River Ganga…
Thanks Arti, I will wish that you get to experience it one day. I hope you have a fabulous day today as well 🙂
We love Venice and wandering aimlessly and getting lost is our favourite thing to do there (besides eating of course!).
Erin recently posted..72 Random Observations About Japan
I swear every corner looks the same, and our broken Italian mixed with Spanish got some strange looks when we asked for directions. But that’s the fun of this city!
Stunning photos! I suppose it is one of those places where there are just too many photo opportunities; I’d probably go nuts with my camera 😉
Thanks Jarmo! You are right that it was easily one of those places to go nuts with the camera.
You guys have been busy, busy! Looks like an ideal time to visit Venice
Busy is an understatement 😉 It was nice and quiet in Venice, easy to get lots of photographs without people getting in the way.
I’m embarrassed to say I’m so far behind I still have not looked at my Venice photos but I hope they are half as good as yours.
I agree you really need time in Venice. It wasn’t as expensive as I had expected and so much more beautiful.
ayngelina recently posted..Food Photo Friday: Perfectly cooked fish in Mallorca
I agree, it wasn’t as expensive as I would have thought either. I am looking forward to seeing your photos sometime in the new year 😉
I only had about two days there as well. It’s not nearly enough time to really experience the city. But it looks like you captured the essence of Venice in your photos. If I could go back I would just want one more night just to get lost in Venice!
Bobbi Lee Hitchon recently posted..Firefly watch in Donsol, Philippines
Haha, yes us too. And I’m sure that even after being there it would take us no time at all to all turned around and lost.
So jealous that you were just in Venice but also jealous that you were there with the baconater.
If it makes you feel better when I visited Venice I was only there for a day and didn’t even spend a night! I definitely need to visit again 🙂
cailin recently posted..Cailin’s Travels A-Z
Yes, there were a few bottles of wine consumed, and iPhones (yes plural) broken. It’s a pretty cool place.
It’s funny: I’ve been thinking about doing a post on my first trip overseas, a 3-week tour of Italy with the Atlanta Boy Choir when I was 12. Posts like yours are bringing back those memories in a huge way. Thanks for sharing these beautiful photos!
Bret @ Green Global Travel recently posted..INTERVIEW: Jeff Corwin On His New Show & Challenges Facing Wildlife Conservation
Thanks and cool idea Bret! What an experience that must have been at age 12 to see such an impressive city. Glad to have brought back some memories 🙂
Only two days in Venice! You’re crazy 🙂
Really like the angled photo with the bridge and the reflection in the water.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..How I Lived in Buenos Aires for $1000 a Month
Yes, crazy we were. If we only had more time, I would have devoted more to this wonderful city.
That angled photo I have to give credit to my lovely wife. She has an eye for those angle shots and I love them too 🙂
Some great shots! I don’t know how long is long enough to spend in Venice – I had a week there, but that still wasn’t enough. I absolutely adored Burano!
Cherina recently posted..Old Friends, New Lives: Vancouver, British Columbia
Agreed, I don’t know how long would be enough 🙂
When we went to Burano, it was a ghost town. Only 1-2 shops were open, but I liked it that way. It gave such a peaceful, calm effect to this laid back town. Plus we were able to photograph whenever and wherever we wanted. No peeps getting in the way 🙂
Such iconic photos! Wow, Burano looks so different from the “typical” Venice look. I’m really dying to get there soon, even if only for the food!
Glad you’re liking Italy. It’s such a lovely lovely country and full of yummy food! Venice looks stunning, I hope to make it there sometime. Great photos as always …
I love Venice in the off season. There is a lot more to do there than a lot of people realize– i’m sure you will be back to explore it more! Beautiful photos!
Thanks Jenna. I loved the low-season vibe and I don’t think I want to even experience the high-season. I loved being able to just wander the quiet empty side roads that lined the canals. We even caught a gondolier laying back reading a book because business was so slow. We will return for sure.
2 days is definitely not enough time! i hope you were able to extend your time there!
Unfortunately not Jade, we were on a tight schedule so that we could get to Bologna, I hope we get the chance to return and get lost again though.
I know it’s been said before but I have to say it again: those are some absolutely fantastic photos! I have never been to Venice but I will make sure not to miss it next time I am traveling through Europe.
Derek recently posted..Greetings From The Team @ HoliDaze
Greg and I honeymooned in Italy, and our first stop was Venice. I really enjoyed it, but Greg felt it was too touristy… Our best experience was one evening when we randomly wandered until dinner and sat at a small restaurant. As we were finishing, a man came in and plugged in a really long extension cord that he attached to a large portable boombox. He set the boombox up in the middle of the square, and local couples drifted in and started ballroom dancing. Greg and I joined in and we had an amazing time. Grazie Venicia!
Tiffany recently posted..Greg stars as “The Nanny!”
Wow – what an awesome surprise that would have been! That’s not something that makes it into the tourist brochures I bet. 🙂
Very true! We’re much more interested in this type of experience when we travel, and it’s not always easy to find.
Tiffany recently posted..Something Worth Going Home For
Lovely looking photos of Venice 🙂 Running photography courses in ‘Venezia’ really makes you appreciate how other people see this beautiful, colourful city. The HDR photos of Venice look good.
Ben
Thanks Ben! I’d love to run a photography course when and where I settle in (if that ever happens) 🙂
Wow. Venice is just mesmerizing. I wouldn’t mind getting lost in the tunnels and alleys as long as everything I see is beautiful. I really want to go there now. Thank you so much for posting the pictures!
Alexa Meisler recently posted..Estiatorio Milos & Knave: A 5 Star Evening in New York
I wish we had more time so I wouldn’t have gotten so annoyed when we got lost – ha!
Clearly I’m late to the party, since this post is dated nearly three years ago! I spent only 3 nights in Venice and two full days as well. And I can’t wait to go back! Truly beautiful, with it’s watery streets.
I normally have a really strong sense of direction, but I shocked even myself when I made my way on the second full day from my AirBnB apartment on the mainland to a specific museum deep in Venice, based only upon instinct from having passed it the day before. I went right to it and even the tour guide I met there for our private tour was surprised!
The tour was followed by one of the best plates of risotto I’ve ever had. Ah yes…food in Italia. Sigh.