Day 9: Venice (Getting Lost on Purpose) (Saturday, May 23)
This morning, we headed to Stazione Porta Nuova to catch the
train to Venice.
Before going any further, let me begin by telling you about
another BEST DECISION EVER moment. Yesterday morning at breakfast, I was
thinking about our trip to Venice and the logistics of getting from the Santa
Lucia Train Station to our hotel near Piazza San Marco. We already had our
train tickets (Verona to Venice), and while I had originally planned to take a
vaporetto (public water boat) once we arrived, I also know Venice. It was going
to be chaotic and hot and very crowded.
So, right there at breakfast, I went online and booked a
private water taxi to meet us at the docks outside the train station.
Again, BEST DECISION EVER.
When we arrived in Venice (after a relaxing 60-minute train ride
on a Trenitalia Frecciarossa) we exited the Santa Lucia train station with our
luggage. As we approached the dock I heard someone call my name and there was our
private water taxi!
It was all terribly exciting! The hustle and bustle of the
train station, the craziness of the docks, the bobbing boats and vaporetti and
gondolas … it was like getting caught up in current and you are just along for
the ride!
And what a ride it was.
There is nothing like motoring up the Grand Canal. Everywhere
we looked was magnificent, and taking it all in was like trying to sip through
a straw when you are really trying to take a big gulp.
Then we saw a Chihuly sculpture! Prior to our trip we had read
that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the landmark project Chihuly
Over Venice. To honor that milestone, Chihuly returned to Venice to debut CHIHULY:
Venice 2026 with several new sculptures along the Grand Canal.
And we just saw the first one! (We saw another one later
that evening.)
Forty minutes later, we docked and walked across Piazza San
Marco to our hotel, Albergo Cavalletto & Doge Orseolo. I stayed here previously
on one of our girls’ trips, and its wonderful location prompted me to stay here
again. Luckily, we were able to check in early, so we dropped off our bags and went
off to explore.
The rest of the afternoon was all about getting lost. On
purpose. Because this is what you should do in Venice—meander, and go where the
bridges and alleyways take you until you are truly and wonderfully lost.
During our lostness, we saw the Bridge of Sighs,
crossed over the Rialto Bridge, wandered into churches, lunched at Trattoria
Canonica, and dined at a local restaurant, Taverna San Trovaso (thanks,
Valerie, for the recommendation). Of course, we had a gelato.
After dinner Nicholas, Lauren, Jonathan, and Caroline went
on an evening gondola ride (there was room for Timothy, but he did not want to
be the fifth wheel 😉).
By the time the sun set and the moon glowed, we were tired
but not quite ready to head back to the hotel because Venice at night is
magical: the lamplight reflects on the canals, the soft light from windows and
storefronts cast shadows, the orchestras play in Piazza San Marco, the water
gently laps against houses, docks, and moored boats. Best of all, the day
tourists are gone and there is a gentleness in the air.
Eventually, we headed to bed, ready to get lost all over
again tomorrow.
