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Venice – An Eternal Romantic Dream

January 18, 2017
Pose in Venice Gondola

Venice – An Eternal Romantic Dream

“Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go.” ― Truman Capote

And I enjoyed this chocolate so much, that I am going to remember this taste all through my life.  Venice is like a dream with happiness spread around and you can just grab as much as you can. Also this is the only place in the world where I was happy to get really lost!! Don’t be surprised – Yes we were really lost and you can read later why I was so happy about it!

Venice – An Eternal Romantic Dream

Venice was part of our 17 days Europe trip which I am slowly unfolding in my blog. Thank you for all your love on my posts on Paris journey and if you have not read them yet, you can find them here. Similar to Paris, Venice is one of the world’s most romantic cities. But as far as I’m concerned the word “romance” in Venice applies to more than just wandering arm-in-arm with a sweetheart. To me, romantic Venice means quiet piazzas, local markets, and water in narrow canals lapping the edges of crumbling buildings. This Northeastern Italy destination is composed of 118 islands, canals and bridges and is an age-old setting for love stories. From its Gothic architecture to its musical legacy, “The Floating City” offers myriad opportunities for romance.

Venice - An Eternal Romantic Dream

Venice - An Eternal Romantic Dream

The First Kiss

Just like I remember my first kiss I will remember the first time I step my foot on Venice. We arrived by a train from a small town named Tirano (which is another dream I will share later). The moment I saw the canals standing in the line for Vaporetto , I just hold my husband’s hand and screamed in joy from inside. Vaporettos are big boats which carry tourists through Grad Canal which is the largest canal dividing the island.

Once the boat started my husband became busy taking pics and I was just gazing in awe at the canal, couples riding gondolas, the small bi-canals spreading around, the tourists having their romantic lunch on the side. It was like a passionate movie which I can be a part all through my life. The gondolas going inside the bi-canals in between the buildings were attracting me. It has an wonderful aura, a place where you have to pinch yourself to make sure you are not dreaming. I put my hand over the camera lens of my husband, looked at his eyes and told “Kiss Me”.

Venice - An Eternal Romantic Dream

Venice - An Eternal Romantic Dream

Venice - An Eternal Romantic Dream

Venice - An Eternal Romantic Dream

Live like a Venetian

We tried a new thing in Europe which we never did before and It was Airbnb. Most of you already might know about it, you get to stay at people’s house, share food with them and live like a local. Our whole Europe was on Airbnb and Venice was not an exception. Our hostess was waiting for us at the Ferry stop and greeted us with a huge smile. She greeted us to her home as if it was our own. She gave a huge bedroom with a nice king size bed with drapes hanging from top. The room was filled with small local show pieces along with pictures from her life. The experience was so touching and personal. She offered us coffee and cake and sat down, chatted with us, told everything about Venice. I just felt “Yes! I am living like a Venetian”.

Venice - An Eternal Romantic Dream

Venice - An Eternal Romantic Dream

Venice - An Eternal Romantic Dream

O Sole Mio

Ever since I have seen the movie “Breads and Tulips”, Gondolas in Venice have been a fantasy in my dreams. The best way to relish the romance in Venice is nothing other than a Gondola ride. And in order to convert this dream to a lifetime one, I did make arrangements beforehand and you should do too. I ordered a gorgeous skirt before just for this moment (link given below) and we bought a bottle of sparkling wine and two beautiful champagne glasses before boarding the Gondola. Just to let you know it is a little expensive but it is once in a lifetime experience! We opened our wine, poured into glasses clinked it and off we sailed.

We went through narrow canals in between houses and boutique stores and restaurants on the side and under the bridges with tourists clicking pics from top. I lay my head on my husband’s shoulder and just went into his arms cherishing the most romantic journey of our life. At every turn there was a mystery, it’s like a beautiful painting someone has drawn with you in it. The sound of the row on the water, the narrow alleyways, the passing gondolas with couples holding their hands led me to look into my partner’s eyes and my heart sang “O Sole Mio”

Venice - An Eternal Romantic Dream

Venice - An Eternal Romantic Dream

Venice - An Eternal Romantic Dream

Venice - An Eternal Romantic Dream

Venice - An Eternal Romantic Dream

St Mark’s Square

After the Gondola ride we went to another major attraction in Venice – St. Mark’s Square. We went inside the St Mark’s Basilica – The church facade is a gothic masterpiece, a rich composition of columns, arches, spires and reliefs that represent characters, crafts or scenes from daily life. Then we went inside the Doge’s Palace to discover the precious rooms where, for centuries, the history of the powerful Republic of Venice was determined. We also made a visit to the famous Sighs Bridge which connects the Doge’s Palace to the New Prisons. The bridge and its architecture is stunning and the canal with all the gondolas running below took it to a different level – a must click picture! We could not go up the St Marks Campanile but you can get the most splendid view of Venice from the top of the tower.

Venice - An Eternal Romantic Dream

Venice - An Eternal Romantic Dream

Venice - An Eternal Romantic Dream

Venice - An Eternal Romantic Dream

 Dinner

When in Venice, the dinner has to be a romantic one by the canal side right at dawn when the sun sets and the lighted Venice blooms out. We chose the perfect place for that – a restaurant named Cantinone Storico. All restaurants are pretty costly in Venice, but this one is within budget. It is in a beautiful location calm and little outside of the touristy places. We just sipped our wine and gazed at the canal with gondolas doing their last round of journey before heading home along with some exotic chicken with Black Ink Sauce – a heavenly moment!!

Venice - An Eternal Romantic Dream

Venice - An Eternal Romantic Dream

Venice - An Eternal Romantic Dream

You can’t get lost in Venice but you should try!!

Here comes the most adventurous and magnificent part of our Venice trip. After dinner we planned to take a walk around Venice at night with map in hand, all planned out. But when you are in Venice a map never works! We were just walking by the canals hand in hand stopping at whatever bar was coming in the way. We were sipping drinks while sitting beside the canal, partying with the locals and moving to the next one. The narrow alleys with small dim lights and darkness at the end were scary and stunning at the same time. On numerous bridges we just stood and looked at the dark canal with gondolas locked on the side. It was a majestic silence which gave me Goosebumps (I am feeling again while writing).

In between we suddenly landed on huge squares with lots of bars and people. Again after walking 2 min we were alone in long dark alley which we can’t even see where the end is. It was midnight and we were OFFICIALLY LOST. We were asking strangers on address and whatever direction they gave we took the wrong turns went round and came back to the same place. We chatted with a guy from Bangladesh selling roses at midnight, saw a drunk girl just staring at a dark canal and talking to someone (scary!!). I am not sure after how many drinks and wandering for how many hours we finally found our way home.I just said to myself “I wish I was lost forever in those streets!!”

Venice - An Eternal Romantic Dream

Venice - An Eternal Romantic Dream

Venice - An Eternal Romantic Dream

Venice - An Eternal Romantic Dream

Venice - An Eternal Romantic Dream

I generally ask at the end of all my posts if you liked it but I am not going to do it. Not sure how good or bad I wrote but one thing I believe, words cannot describe Venice! Well this is my 1st day experience. I was there one more day which I will write very soon so be with me in this journey.

Venice Look details:

Red Skirt: Boutique 1861

Makeup: Bobby Brown foundation and Naked 3 Eye-shadow

Bag: Guess

Scarf: H&M

XOXO

Venice - An Eternal Romantic Dream

 

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  • Ree love30 January 19, 2017 at 12:40 am

    I love how you take your photos! The canals loops like a dream and I love the architecture. The buildings are beautiful. Ree love30

  • courtney January 19, 2017 at 2:46 am

    I was able to visit Venice on a school trip about ten years ago and it was one of the most incredible, impactful experiences of my life. It is such a beautiful city with such an incredible atmosphere.

    La Belle Sirene 

  • natasha January 19, 2017 at 3:27 am

    Hi my love you went on one of my dream vacation. It look like what i always dream of. Thank you for sharing the fun

  • Cynthia Williamston January 19, 2017 at 3:47 am

    Venice still looks like one of the most romantic cities to visit. You have captured it beautifully.

    • thatneongirl2016@gmail.com February 6, 2017 at 11:32 pm

      thank you Cynthia.

  • Abby January 19, 2017 at 4:08 am

    Oh Venice, it looks so beautiful and romantic. I’d love to visit this city someday. The canal rides and the views look amazing!

    Abby of Life in the Fash Lane

  • neha January 19, 2017 at 9:15 am

    I am headed to Venice in april. Going through post like yours is making it really hard for me to countdown till the journey starts 🙂 I will definitely make it to the places you mentioned.

  • Alexandra Mucenieks January 19, 2017 at 10:37 am

    Looks like a great place, would love to vist.

  • Linda Meyers-Gabbard January 19, 2017 at 11:33 am

    Sounds like you have a wonderful time. I an so jealous….lol. my hubby has promised to take me to Venice someday. He has been there before. Thank you for sharing

  • Colleen January 19, 2017 at 11:38 am

    This is SUCH a gorgeous blog post! I was absolutely there in reading your descriptions, so vivid! One day I would love to travel here, for now I will save this on Pinterest to enjoy again. 🙂

    • thatneongirl2016@gmail.com February 6, 2017 at 11:31 pm

      thanx Colleen. I would love to go there again and again.

  • Hra January 19, 2017 at 12:58 pm

    Its a dream trip <3 I love Italy and Venice… You seem you had an amazing time there !! Your photos are amazing and your outfit adorable 🙂

  • Ance Antovska January 19, 2017 at 2:17 pm

    I was in Venice before three years and I have visited all these places. Wonderful place. Amazing photos !!!

  • Catherine Sargent January 19, 2017 at 3:29 pm

    Venice looks like a wonderful city to explore. I would love to take a family vacation to Italy.

    • thatneongirl2016@gmail.com January 21, 2017 at 7:34 am

      The whole Italy is actually beautiful. It is best for a family vacation!!

  • Neely January 19, 2017 at 8:46 pm

    Your pics are amazing. I have never been to Italy but its at the top of my list. I cant wait to go!

  • Saidah Washington January 19, 2017 at 9:16 pm

    Oh my word! Everything is so beautiful. You really captured the essence of the city in your photos and it looks like you had an amazing time.

  • valmg @ Mom Knows It All January 20, 2017 at 1:15 am

    I’ve always wanted to go to Venice, it’s on my travel bucket list along with much of Europe. It sounds like you had a great time.

  • Carrie January 20, 2017 at 7:54 am

    I would love to go to Venice. It has been my dream to go ever since I can remember. Maybe one day I will make it there with my husband. I bet there is so much to do and so much to see.

  • Divya @ Eat. Teach. Blog. January 20, 2017 at 11:52 am

    I imagine Venice to be so charming and quaint! I’d love to visit there some day 🙂 Thanks for taking us on your journey!

    • thatneongirl2016@gmail.com February 6, 2017 at 11:30 pm

      thanx Divya. really appreciate your comments.

  • Tincy Annie January 20, 2017 at 6:00 pm

    Wow….after seeing all the lovely moments that You captured,tempts me to have a visit to Venice….Thanks for the detailed description

    • thatneongirl2016@gmail.com January 21, 2017 at 7:31 am

      Thank you dear!! It’s really lovely and romantic. You must visit!!

  • meena mehta January 21, 2017 at 12:12 pm

    Wow, beautiful pictures.Really beautiful description of places.

    • thatneongirl2016@gmail.com February 6, 2017 at 11:29 pm

      thanx meena mehta.

  • Louise January 21, 2017 at 4:53 pm

    I’ve wanted to visit Venice for over half my lifetime. I always think it looks like such a beautiful, romantic place to go 🙂

    Louise x

  • Sage Sheppard January 21, 2017 at 4:59 pm

    This is now on my list. Thank you for sharing. I feel all fuzzy and excited.

  • CourtneyLynne January 22, 2017 at 4:46 pm

    Omg just loving your photos!!!! I would love to travel to Venice one day!!! Such a beautiful city!

  • Isaly Holland January 22, 2017 at 9:01 pm

    I just love that you added photos (: I cant wait to visit Venice one day! It looks amazing and so peaceful. I can see why its so romantic.

  • Autumn January 24, 2017 at 4:53 am

    We went to Venice this summer and I thought it was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been- we just kept picking really bad restaurants. Our breakfast totally made up for it though! I love the personal experience you had with your host! 🙂

  • Joy January 24, 2017 at 3:11 pm

    So beautiful! It DOES look like a dream! Those gondolas ?

    • thatneongirl2016@gmail.com February 6, 2017 at 11:29 pm

      Thanx joy.