We’re going to one of the most iconic cities this week. Venice is the type of place you hear about forever and don’t believe you’re there when you make it. It has a unique maritime feel combined with a metropolitan experience.

We’d recommend taking at least 4 days to see the city. Most things are walkable but you’ll definitely want to take a signature gondola ride. There are about 50 thousand people so it’s no small place.

Venice’s history is a little more foggy than other European cities but it’s pretty clear there is some kind of Roman history as people were fleeing invasions by the Huns and Germanic people.

The founding of the city coincides with the dedication of the church of San Giacomo di Rialto in March of 421. Fast forward to 697 when the first doge of Venice was elected (Paolo Lucio Anafesto). The next period included plenty of expansion due to the cities location and access to the sea.

Decline began in the 15th Century and the Black Death plague killed about 50 thousand people over a period of three years starting in 1575. The Italian plague took another 50 thousand in 1630.

Independence was lost in 1797 when Napoleon conquered Venice and it became Austrian. Eventually, the Kingdom of Italy was independent in 1866. Interestingly, the area was relatively unscathed during the second World War given all the of the conflict in the area.

Today, Venice is full of modern energy but maintains its history. The water ways give it so much personality and the way of life is busy but also traditional. You have to be inspired by the fisherman and the business people who live there. Everyone contributes to the culture.

Venice isn’t a city you want to rush through. We loved simply wandering and seeing where the streets would take us. And one of our biggest tips is to get up for sunrise.

Venice can become extremely crowded during the day, especially around the most famous sights. At sunrise, the city feels completely different. The streets are quiet, the light over the canals is beautiful, and you can stand in places like St. Mark's Square without the crowds that arrive later. There are so many sites to see. Here is what we recommend:

This is the heart of Venice and home to several of the city's most famous landmarks. Beware of the seagulls though who try to swoop down and steal any food in your hands. We saw a tourist lose an entire sandwich to a few hungry seagulls when he wasn’t looking.

This is one of the most recognizable buildings in Venice. The inside is filled with golden mosaics and Byzantine details, so don't just admire the exterior and move on. St. Mark’s Basilica houses the remains of the Apostle Mark. In 828, two Venetians smuggled his remains out of a tomb in Alexandria, Egypt. They placed the bones in a basket covered with pork to avoid inspection by Muslim guards and brought them to Venice. This elevated Venice’s status to a holy city, comparable to Rome which has the remains of the St. Paul and St. Peter. We highly suggest visiting here. You should rent an audio headsets if you don’t want an actual guide. There is an incredible amount of history to learn. Click here to buy your tickets directly from their website. *Note- proper attire must be worn to enter here. Shoulders and knees must be covered or you will be denied entrance.

Doge's Palace was the seat of the Doge and the center of Venetian political power for centuries. Make sure you walk across the Bridge of Sighs, which connected the palace to the old prisons. Prisoners would cross the enclosed bridge on their way to their cells and, according to the traditional story, sigh as they caught one of their last glimpses of Venice.

Next door to the Basilica is the Bell Tower, or Campanile di San Marco. At nearly 99 meters tall, it is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city and offers incredible views over Venice. On a clear day, you can see the Dolomites mountain range. You can take an elevator up to the top and back down.

As you leave St. Mark's Square toward the lagoon, you'll see two enormous columns. One is topped with the winged Lion of St. Mark and the other with St. Theodore.

Look down at the space between them. This was historically used for public executions, which is why you may hear that Venetians traditionally avoid walking directly between the two columns. Tourists will unknowingly walk between these columns. Venetians go around them.

The Rialto Bridge is the oldest and most famous of the four bridges crossing the Grand Canal. The views from the bridge are beautiful, and the surrounding Rialto area is a great place to explore. Visiting it early in the morning is an absolute because it’s very crowded during the day.

This wooden bridge crosses the Grand Canal and gives you one of those classic Venice views that makes you want to stop and take a photo.

For something a little more hidden, look for Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo. Its unusual exterior spiral staircase is tucked away in a small courtyard, and the name "Bovolo" refers to its snail-shell-like shape.

And if you love books, don't miss Libreria Acqua Alta. This quirky bookstore has books stored in bathtubs, boats, bins, and even a gondola because of Venice's flooding. It is one of those places that feels completely unique to Venice. Get there right when it opens because it will get crowded. Make sure to walk to the back and climb up the staircase of books. Look for the cats that like to lounge on the books but do not pet them.

Don't spend your entire trip in the main part of Venice.

Take a vaporetto out to Murano Island, which is famous around the world for its glassmaking tradition. Visit a glass workshop and watch artisans demonstrate glass blowing if you can. You can also visit the Glass Museum and browse the many shops for a special souvenir.

Burano is a colorful island in the Venetian Lagoon, famous for its brightly painted houses and centuries-old tradition of lace making. Wander through the little streets, admire the colorful buildings reflected in the canals, and stop for some fresh seafood or a traditional Venetian treat.

Refer a friend using your referral link at the bottom of this email so they can see it too. In addition, you’ll get a copy of our “Wonders of the World” eBook if it’s your first referral.

The easiest option for many travelers is to fly into Venice Marco Polo Airport.

You can also arrive by train at Venezia Santa Lucia, which puts you right in the historic city. This is what we did and then we walked to our hotel. If you arrive by car, you cannot drive into the historic center. You will need to park at one of the designated areas on the mainland or at the edge of the historic city.

The best way to get around in Venice is to walk.

When your feet need a break, take a vaporetto, Venice's public water bus. It is also a great way to see the Grand Canal from the water and to reach islands such as Murano. ACTV operates the city's main public transportation system, including vaporetti and buses.

A gondola is touristy and pricey, but it's also one of those experiences that really is special when you're sitting on the water surrounded by Venice's historic buildings.

Hotel Royal San Marco Hotel - this is where we stayed, right next to St. Mark’s Square

The St. Regis Venice - definitely a luxury stay

Hotel La Fenice Et Des Artistes - two minutes from the Grand Canal

Hotel Becher - breakfast included

Sina Palazzo Sant’Angelo - right on the Grand Canal

Venissa Wine Resort - stay at a vineyard right on Murano Island

Venice has some fantastic food, and we recommend trying a little bit of everything.

Start with cicchetti, small Venetian snacks that are often enjoyed at traditional bàcari, or wine bars. They're perfect for trying several different things without committing to one giant meal.

Bigoli in salsa is another traditional choice, featuring thick pasta with a savory sauce.

And if you like seafood, look for baccalà mantecato, a creamy whipped salt cod often served with bread or polenta. These are all traditional Venetian specialties.

And of course, leave room for gelato!

Caffè Florian is one of the oldest cafés in the world, opening in 1720 in St. Mark’s Square. Its elegant interiors and long history have attracted famous visitors, artists, writers, and travelers for centuries, making it a memorable place to stop for coffee while exploring Venice.

Bring comfortable walking shoes. You will walk more than you think, and those bridges have stairs!

Pack lightweight layers, a small crossbody bag or backpack, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle.

A small umbrella or rain jacket is also a good idea. And if you're visiting during periods when high water is possible, keep an eye on the forecast and local acqua alta information.

Most importantly, bring a camera and leave some room in your schedule to simply wander.

Enjoy the Wood recently gifted us with this beautiful wooden map. It’s handmaid from Ukraine and was easy to assemble. They offer a variety of products. We loved the pins that we received to stick into the places we have been. Use the code: TRISHA10 for a discount!

Here are a few of our affiliate links to help you when in Venice. It’s no extra cost to you and helps us keep this email free for everyone. 😀

See you next week,

Trisha & Bob