Getting Lost in Venice



Yesterday Jordan had the day off and we FINALLY made it to Venice.  We have planned to go many times before, but have never made it due to late starts on the day.  Not only were they late starts, we have never been in any shape to go due to severe hangovers as a result of partying the night before.  Usually when the team has a day off we all end up downtown, and people don't even go to the bars here until 12:30am-1... I don't know when the bars close because I have never stayed that late, but i'm pretty sure the sun is rising before they are closing their doors.  We finally wised up and said NO to partying and YES to Venice.

Our Water Route

We woke up early and were out the door by 8am.  We were thinking of taking the bus there but ultimately decided to drive.  Our plan consisted of parking at the Venice airport and then taking the boat from there, through the Grand Canal, and then getting off to walk around.  It was a good compromise as I wanted to experience Venice on a boat, a Gondola specifically, but the rides are pricey.  This way we saved tons of money on parking (it’s a small fortune to park in Venice), and I got my boat ride.  Plus, how cool is it that the Airport has water taxis into the city?!?

Our Airport Ride

Arriving to Venice by boat

Instead of being like every other tourist with their massive maps, travel books, and colossal cameras, we decided the best way to approach the city was to just go unprepared and get lost.  Jordan and I are both really good at getting lost, Jordan especially, so going in with this plan made for a much more relaxing trip.  We jumped ship at the Rialto Port and were on our way.  For the next four hours we saw the grand sights, the hot spots, and alleyways that were only big enough for one person at a time.  We never passed the same place twice.  We were VERY lost and there is no better city to do it in.  So many bridges, tiny waterways… it is by far the most unique place I have ever been.  A city on water with so much charm and romance it was at times too much to bear (after the first few couples we saw hard-core making-out it went from cute to vulgar).

It turned out to be a beautiful sunny day so we decided to pick up lunch at a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant, along with some mini bottles of wine.  We found a place to sit in the sun and enjoyed the views until there were too many pigeons who felt we were impeding on their territory.

By 4pm we found ourselves back where we started and felt as though we had seen it all.  The sun would be setting soon and we decided to catch the boat back to the airport where we parked.  We also wanted to make a stop at the outlets outside of Venice before they were closed (I had my eye on a Prada bag last time I was there, and if it were still in stock, then we were destine to be together).  Unfortunately (but fortunately for my bank account), the bag had found a different owner and there were not any others that caught my eye.  We walked around the outlets for a bit, got a great chocolate pastry to hold us over till dinner, and then got back on the road.

We ended the day with dinner-to-go from Burger King.  What a non-classy way to end a classy day!  But really, who doesn’t love a good American meal every once in a while?!?  McDonald’s and Burger King are the only two American food Co.’s in Klagenfurt and we needed a fix.

Finally, thank you Jordan for taking me to Venice.  I know you love to spend your days off relaxing, and I want you to know that I am grateful for our road trips. xo