Ahhh, my second stop along my journey through Italy.  The always enchanting, Venezia.  I went into Venice having mixed expectations.  I was expecting beauty everywhere I turned, which I certainly received, but I was also expecting a lot of crowds and liter. Likely the one downfall to your entire city being surrounded and based on the water. The city was strangely cleaner than I anticipated! Kudos to Venice for that one!   While I was traveling in the off season, so I am positive my crowd experience wasn’t nearly as bad as it would be in the summer, the crowds were manageable.  Once you got out of the main square of San Marco the streets were much more enjoyable.  I would limp, because my foot was bothering me pretty badly this part of the trip, through alley ways that were completely empty!  It was perfection!  It also doesn’t hurt that I was staying at the Generator Hostel that was directly across the waterway from San Marco, so catching the water taxi at Zitelle was very easy and very accessible.   However, do keep in mind that the streets of Venice are a literal maze, so finding the correct water taxi line may or may not be nearly as easy.

The moment I stepped out of the Santa Lucia train station I was instantly greeted with incredible views of the canals and San Simeone Piccolo! I was extra happy for the 45 minute long water taxi ride to my taxi stop. It was like a personal boat tour of the canals.  The views were incredible and all I could think about was getting rid of my back pack and finding my way to the city center!

I spent my first day taking my time wandering around San Marco and the surrounding areas.   I also figured, what the heck, and took the plunge and snagged a private gondola ride.  I would like to recommend, if you go to Venice and want to snag a gondola ride, do NOT do it in San Marco square.  It was 80 euros for a 20/25 minute ride through very boring and unentertaining canal ways.  If you opt for a gondola ride, I would opt for a different area  further within the Grand Canal that may offer better canal ways with more personality.  Still an awesome experience though because…. Venice!  But after walking a bit and seeing other gondola rides, there are better routes! 

You wouldn’t believe the amount of walking I did trying to find the best views of this baroque church!  The infamous, and completely stunning from any and all angles, Basilica Di Santa Maria della Salute!  The church that is an icon within the Venice Skyline . I got picture perfect views of this baby everytime I stepped outside of my hostel!

My last full day in Venice I wanted to spend exploring a neighbor island within the Venetican Lagoon.  I had a few travel bloggers that I follow who had ventured to the rainbow island of Burano and I dreamt of empty streets with florescent colors!  I got just that!  It was perfect!  Think Venice… lots of character all strewn within beautiful canal ways. My favorite kind of lighting, cloudy, with nice cold temperatures, empty streets all to my self.  It was the perfect get a way from the craze of Venezia but with all of the charm.  The homes are painted in florescent colors that attract the tourists and the canals are lined with fishing boats for  the local fishermen.  You can also find a million different lace shops here.  Ill have to do more research into it but Lace and linen is a very popular item in Burano.  Along with glass as well!

Slightly obsessed with all of the colors and windows of Burano!  May need to make a puzzle of this!

Let me tell you.  I was so sad to see that I missed the first snow of the year back home but it was like mother nature knew I was jealous because as I was sitting in my hostel trying to get caught up on some work, I noticed it began snowing outside!  It was a dream!  If only it wasnt dang near dark outside because I would have loved to walk the streets of Venice while in a winter wonderland!   The next day I ventured onward to Bologna, a city I wish I gave more time.  I had one and half days in Bologna and I spent both of them in my hostel getting work done.  I finally had decent wifi and my feet were killing me.  Not to mention, it rained the entire time (likely a reason why my foot was hurting so badly)  I was there so I opted to just stay in and get things done.  I regret that but my feet needed it.  Gives me more of a reason to return so I can see more of the charm of this city!