Eep! Our first day in Venice!
The city of Venice is on a group of 118 small islands, separated by canals and linked by more than 400 bridges.
During the middle ages, Venice was a major maritime and financial power, and was a very important commerce centre.
Venice became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1866 after being annexed by the Austrian Empire.
Fascinating beginnings, an incredible history, and having played a huge role in artistic movements, as well as symphonic and operatic music (it was also the birthplace of Antonio Vivaldi), Venice holds some_______
Because of the size of Venice, we were able to just leave everything at our accommodation other than a camera, wallets and passports, and just wander around getting wonderfully lost in the labyrinth of streets.
This morning we found a little café to have breakfast – it seemed everyone was up early and the place was already bustling with people.
We did lots and lots of walking and window shopping looking at Omega watches, testing Dior perfumes exclusive to Italy, trying on jewellery at Tiffany, and DJ tried on some sport coats.
Down one of the little back alleys we came across a pizza place. They had some of the biggest, fully loaded pizzas I’ve ever seen. DJ didn’t want any (too much gelato I think), but I was so hungry and went in to buy a slice.
What an experience. The owner of the place gave me a very hard time and apparently had to show me how to hold and eat my pizza correctly. Hands down some of the best pizza I’ve ever eaten.
Something we noticed on our wanders was that the temporary footpaths are already being prepared for flood season.
Gradual lowering of the surface of Venice has lead to seasonal high water between autumn and early spring, this means a lot of the city’s surface is occasionally covered at high tide.
The city continues sinking at a rate of around 1-2mm per year and projects to reduce flooding issues have unfortunately been delayed due to corruption scandals.
We had our first Italian tapas and Aperol Spritz and really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere everywhere we went.
Walking through Piazza San Marco (St Marks square) this evening gave me all the feels, with all the alfresco dining and live piano and violin.
All the restaurants were so busy when it came to finding dinner, we came across a place that had space (and reasonable ratings on google, of course) and stopped in for a bite.
Admittedly it wasn’t the greatest meal, and the water was crazy expensive, but we washed it down with a good helping of gelato which lifted our spirits.
We feel like we have changed pace here, slowed down, and really feel like we are on holiday.
KJ xx