by

To Italy at Last

While planning our wedding in 1995, we talked about going to Italy for our honeymoon. We came to our senses, knowing how tired we would be, and agreed to travel to Italy another time.

Twenty-eight years later, that time is now. The travel to Europe from San Jose is grueling. We took an Uber to San Francisco International Airport, flew ten hours to Zurich, waited three hours to board a one-hour flight to Venezia, and then took a 40-minute water taxi to Piazza San Marco. We walked, perhaps crawled, to our quaint hotel from there, exhausted yet happy to be here.

This morning, we wandered the narrow streets of Venezia, traversing several bridges as we crossed canals, peering into shop windows, and pausing for refreshments at a cafe. Mid-day, we took a docent-led three-hour tour of the Doge’s Palace and the Basilica San Marco.

I learned so much along the way and thoroughly enjoyed the gorgeous architecture, tiled mosaics, and the fantastic views from virtually every window we passed. We had an engaging and knowledgeable guide. Pictured above: Basilica, tour tickets, Doge’s Palace ceiling covered with painted wood and gold leaf, the Bridge of Sighs, and interior shots of the St. Mark’s Basilica

After the tour, we sat in the Piazza San Marco, listening to live music and amusing ourselves with the antics of the local, dare I say, bold pigeons. The birds landed on tables, on a few straw hats, and wooshed by at close range. One presumptuous pigeon briefly looked up my dress, perhaps waiting for crumbs that never fell. I’m sure the staff have chased off the pigeons many times, and it is clear the restaurants and cafes work hard to keep tables and floors clean. With patrons and small children offering food on the ground, I imagine it’s a lost cause. I kept a close eye on my food and wondered if they, too, were addicted to carbs.

Mike booked a restaurant a month ago so we would have a nice place to celebrate our anniversary. We walked twenty minutes from our hotel to la Zucca, crossing the famous Rialto Bridge over the Grand Canal and pausing to take pictures.

We enjoyed a lovely meal in a charming, cellar-like room, the wooden walls lined with bottled wine and decorative gourds. Fabulous wait staff helped us feel at home, and Mike’s ability to order dinner in Italian added to the evening’s fun.

We shared a pumpkin mousse and vegetable compote, and I savored a vegetarian plate with rice and a glass of crisp white wine. Instead of a restaurant dessert, we opted for gelato on our walk back. All buildings here have a water door and a street door. This is the water door to our restaurant, though we walked in the old-fashioned way. Entering by boat would have been great fun. We walked 7 miles over the day.

Sunday is our last full day in Venezia. On Monday, we board a train for Firenze to see more of this beautiful country. I hope to write more from there. Ciao!

41 thoughts on “To Italy at Last”

  2. Oh, how wonderful Alys! I am so happy for you both, finally fulfilling that dream! Wishing you a fabulous time in Firenze, and a very happy anniversary! 😘
    (Look forward to hearing more about your trip too.😃)

    Like

    Reply

  3. What an absolutely perfect anniversary trip. Just marvellous. And Florence next. You have chosen two very special cities to spend time in. Keep enjoying, Alys, and keep sharing your adventures!

    Like

    Reply

  4. That you had the energy to write a post after all that activity is impressive! Now you actually have the time to enjoy such a trip and really appreciate more than at the honeymoon stage. I’m so happy for you both. Has Mike always been able to speak Italian? Enjoy, enjoy. I’m living vicariously so do it up big. :) Hugs to you both.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • I wanted to get as many experiences down in writing now if I can. We’re so happy to be together, and to be here together is icing on the cake. We’re walking hand in hand along Italian streets, people watching and taking in the history and culture and the beauty along the way.

      Mike’s father was born in Italy, then immigrated to Argentina. His mother was Argentinian. His parents spoke Spanish in the home, Mike’s first language, so he’s fluent in both. He picked up some Italian from his dad, then took a course in university. He has the gift of languages which I greatly admire. I can muster a few words and phrases in German, French, and Spanish, but not much more than the niceties.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  7. Ah, Venezia! And then Firenze…both my favorite cities in Italia. So glad you’ve been able to make the dream a reality. And the food! I gained a pound a day, but SO worth it. ;) You’re there in truffle and mushroom season… indulge! Enjoy the Uffizi Galleria, say hi to ‘David’ ;), walking over the Arno and maybe the Boboli? Great place to shop for leather goods (gifts!). I am a bit envious, can you tell? ;)

    Like

    Reply

  9. Congratulations on your wedding anniversary! 23 years! What a fun way to celebrate! Italy is such a charming place. It is so calming how the whole place goes quiet in the middle of the day and comes alive at dusk. The laidback lifestyle. The food, the art, and the wine. I had a tough time adjusting to the pizzas stateside after my first trip there. Make sure to see David in Florence. (Lines can be long.) If you have a day, climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa and visit a medieval town such as Lucca or Siena. Take a cooking class in rural Tuscany. Visit the Vatican. Explore the streets of Trastevere and walk along the river in Rome; every night is a party.

    Thanks,Senthil.

    Like

    Reply

    • Thank you for your good wishes, Senthil. I enjoyed reading your observations of your time here. My son got to visit Florence for a two-week university winter session this past January, his first trip abroad. He fell in love with Florence, too. We will be here for five days before heading to Rome. We reserved an entry time for a few museums, and yes, David is at the top of that list. I hope we can return to explore other parts of this beautiful country.

      Like

      Reply

  10. What a perfect time of year you chose to visit. The light is magical, the heat has abated, the crowds are a little less. I think that sixth photo, of the arches and balustrade overlooking the water, is my favourite. Such beautiful light…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. How absolutely wonderful, Alys! Congratulations on a deferred honeymoon. :-) The smiles on your faces speaks loudly of your contentment and joy and I celebrate with you. After a few years here when travel was “iffy” at best, this must have been a dream! :-)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Judy, thank you so much. I’m happy to hear that you have fond memories of this place, and I’m equally delighted to know that my new memories are a pleasant reminder of that time. I’ve always enjoyed taking photos of my travels, because I know they will prompt good memories in the future that otherwise fade.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  15. your photos bring back a few memories ^^ A school friend and I bought ourselves Eurorail train passes (valid 1 month for rail travel in Europe) back in 1984, so 40 years ago, and stopped off in Venice & Florence on our travels.

    Like

    Reply

    • Claire, thanks for sharing your travel story. I too traveled in Europe with a Eurail pass in 1989, just a few years after you. It was a great way to get around. I stayed in youth hostels, and met so many interesting people along the way. I didn’t travel any further south then Barcelona, so this is all new for me.

      Like

      Reply

  17. Alys, I am so happy for you and Mike! Congratulations on your wedding anniversary ~ Mike is a very lucky fellow ☺️. i was in Venice many years ago and was intrigued by the little lanes that wound everywhere, the bridges and the unexpected treasures. It seems like you have been exploring the same. I am looking forward to being an armchair traveller with you.

    Like

    Reply

  18. What a wonderful surprise, dear Alys and Mike!💕 Heartfelt thanks for sharing your very special adventure with all of us. Venice is so lovely and magical. Your words and photos bring back such warm memories! (Actually, HOT memories! I visited there during a sweltering summer adventure long ago.) What a treat for us all that you are sharing your adventure while traveling! Warmest hugs and safe travels!
    💗 Dawn

    Like

    Reply

    • Dawn, thank you for your gracious comments. I’m happy to hear you spent time in Venice, and I’m all the more grateful realizing how lucky we’ve been with this weather. It’s humid there, so high temps would have made for an uncomfortable time. Still, knowing you, your memories are dear. We’re on our last leg this week in Rome. I’m returning that hug. xo

      Like

      Reply

Leave a reply to Born To Organize Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.