Two If By Sea- Venice In Two Days

Venice February 26-27

            This weekend I accomplished my childhood aspiration of visiting Venice.  It was everything I hoped it would be and more!  We actually stayed right outside of Venice and so it was even more exciting when we actually got to go into Venice every morning.  To get to what everyone thinks of as “Venice” we took a bus to a train station and then took a boat from their into the main canal of  Venice!

            The first day we were there it was beautiful! The sun was out and it was only a little chilly. The best part was that it was also Carnivale.  Venice is the most known for having the oldest and most traditional Carnivale.  Here everyone gets into part of the festivities. Some get dressed head to toe, others participate in a gondola race, but at least everyone has on a mask!! 

            I actually bought my mask in Florence because I fell in love with it and got a good deal for the quality of the mask. However, it was made in Venice originally.  You can tell what has been made in Venice by a brand that is put on the inside of the mask.

            Once in Venice we got a tour of the big areas. Yet the main event was always the crowds! It was packed. Think of the sardines crammed into a can trying to move though an ally the size of a pencil. This is what pedestrian traffic was like while we were visiting.  Despite the overwhelming number of visitors Venice was still magnificent. Filled with shops and Venician glass. We even got to go to the glass blowing factory where we watched first hand a glassmaker turn a burning ember into a beautiful vase and horse figurine.  After the glass blowing factory our leader took us to the Jewish Ghetto.  While not much remains there are tons of shops all around the area selling Judaica and Kosher foods. We stopped and got Humentoshin.  

            Finally, the last thing on my Venice checklist was to go on a gondola ride! My friends and I went at sunset and it was just beautiful!  Our gondola driver told us about the history of Venice, showed us where Casanova lived, told us the mechanics of the boat, and even sang to us an Italian love song.

            We spent two days in Venice and each was incredible!  I can’t believe after all this waiting I can finally say I have been to Venice!