A Romantic Destination: Venice Italy

It was a wonderful trip even though we were only in Venice for 3 days. It was easy to pack so many activities into those few days because our hotel was located in the center of the city close to St. Marks Square. Those memories will last us many of cold days back in the United States. I ate so much gelato in so many different flavors and ate so many different Italian pizzas with locally brewed beers that i will never again appreciate ice cream or pizza & beer outside of Italy. The handblown beads from Murano from which i have made many beautiful bracelets and earrings, the lace doilies from Burano which grace my tables and the Carnivale mask I purchased at the Rialto Bridge Markets, will constantly remind me of the 25th anniversary i spent with my husband in Venice. As will the many memories of strolling through the sweet city with quaint canals in lieu of streets, riding the vaporettos around town with the locals, seeing the fish market where the fresh catch of the day will later be transformed into delicious italian dinners and just simply being with and speaking to the charming Venician locals.

....the delicious gelato, of which it seems you can have a different flavor each and everytime, the "romantic legend" of the Bridge of Sighs, the thriving shops on the Rialto Bridge, the nearby islands of Burano, known for their brightly colors buildings and romantic, handmade lace, and Murano, known for their outstanding handblown glass. Last but not least is the famed serenaded gondola ride.

1. Ride in a Gondola, while being serenaded by the gondelier-$$$
2. Take pictures of window flower boxes-Free
3. Window shop lace products in Burano-Free
4. Watch the sunset over Venice-Free
5. Go to Murano and shop for handblown glass beads-$$
6. Buy souveniers at the Rialto Bridge market-$
7. Eat at a restaurant and order speakiing only Italian-$
8. Learn the local legend of the Bridge of Sighs-Free
9. Eat gelato together and share-$

Gondola rates are set by the City of Venice. They are mainly used to transport tourists. However there are ways to ride a gondola that won't empty your wallet. The traghetto is a gondola used to ferry people across the Grand Canal for approximately 50 cents for a very quick ride on a stripped down gondola without the usual brocade and luxuries. Not quite as romantic as the real deal. If you do hire a gondola, make sure to negotiate the rate and length of the trip beforehand as it can get very expensive. As for the romance of it, you can't imagine the peace and tranquility of riding in the gondola on the back canals, while having the gondolier sing O Solo Mio with the natural accoustics bouncing off the buildings. You just have to experience it at least once! We hired a gondola on my husband's birthday. We took along a bottle of champagne which we drank during our 45 minute ride . The gondolier sang The Beatle's song "The long and winding road" and some other "traditional Italian songs". We did arrange to be at the Bridge of Sighs at sunset and yes, we did kiss under the Bridge with a toast to us and our eternal love. Sigh.......Now that's Amore!