Bridges of Venice

Venice’s narrow paths intertwine and cross its canals by use of over 400 bridges, the most famous being the Rialto Bridge.

My personal favorite bridge, the Ponte dell’Accademia is one of the four bridges that span the Grand Canal, and has an incredible view of the domed Santa Maria della Salute Church.

It’s easy to enjoy getting lost in the patchwork of alleyways leading to gelato shops, wine bars, antique stores, markets, and small squares with al fresco osteries.

Twilight is the most beautiful time in Venice; filled with the sounds of the gondoliers sweetly singing, and the glistening of the canals next to the gothic pastel colored palaces.

Evenings pair perfect with gelato, and a gondola ride gently rocking you through small canals and into the Grand Canal.

Once dusk settles in, the restaurants fill up, and the smell of seafood lingers through the air.

Tourists dine along Piazza San Marco and the Grand Canal, while the locals fill restaurant seats amongst the quiet alleyways.

One perk about Venice is that it is a city without traffic (so long as you aren’t lugging your suitcase over several bridges)! Aside from the occasional gondola traffic jam, the pace is yours to set and the sights are endless to savor.

Venice is a continuous celebration. Its history included lavish masquerade parties with royalty, trade, and ship building. Today, the rustic palaces, abundance of seafood, and the numerous points to visit make for an unforgettable experience for all of the senses.

Piazza San Marco’s size was truly astonishing:

During the day, pedestrians stroll and birds gather in the large square where St. Mark’s Campanile and Basilica are located. In the evenings, trattorias provide live bands and endless rounds of Bellinis.

Gondoliers and locals alike truly enjoy and embrace Venetian society. The genuine smiles of the Venetian people show their love of the city. Locals are often seen enjoying an espresso, smoking a cigar, or eating out with a group of friends.

Although the city faces erosion, work has commenced to rebuild crumbling brick, gondolas are continuously restored and polished, and the small population works day and night to water taxi supplies to each hotel and restaurant. There is also a slight odor throughout Venice, probably due to old plumbing, but that aside there isn’t much to complain about.

The winged lions were brought in to symbolize Saint Mark and now symbolize Venice, which was once one of the wealthiest cities. Large palaces now used for hotels were once individual residences.

Another form of transportation that is unique to Venice is its use of water bus shuttles. There’s no wrong way to see Venice and all of its bridges!

I enjoyed each day of surprise that Venice unfolded, from local artists crafting gold leafed carvings, or stroking their brushes to canvas in a small square, to some of the best meals that I have ever eaten. There is something special each step (or each row) of the way.