Winter in Mystic Venice

In the recent winter, hubby and I visited Italy again, this time, Venice. We knew we wouldn't find structures as ancient as the ones we saw in Rome, and feared the possibility of aqua alta.  As we stepped foot on the Floating City, everywhere we look, all we could see were canals, boats and bridges; but these altogether render a sight that's so enigmatically beautiful.

From Athens, as there was no direct option to Venice, we took an Easyjet flight that landed in Milan.  From the Malpensa Airport, it took about an hour via Malpensa Express (12EUR/person) to reach Milano Central. From there we took Tren Italia (super economy = 9 EUR/person) and in less than three hours, we arrived at Venezia Santa Lucia station. It was a 12 min walk to our inn called Alloggi Sardegna at Calle del Forno.  I enjoyed our stay there even though it is 20 minutes away from Piazza San Marco (1.7 km). The owner, Maria, who does not speak English, was very warm and cordial.  The double room assigned to us (3 nights =165EUR) has private bathroom, TV and aircon and was kept clean the whole time. The downside is there is no internet service... but that was ok since we were out sightseeing most of the time. Also, there's no subscription for English channels, but luckily, there was Radio Capital , a 24-hour channel playing 60's - 80s music videos, of which we have been big fans since we discovered it in Rome. Breakfast was also included but only with packed shelf breads, but those were ok because we had a choice of cappuccino, americano or macchiato deliciously prepared by Maria each morning. There's a bakery and supermarket nearby should anyone choose to eat warm bread, cold cuts or cheese.

  

  

It is easy to get lost in Venice.  But we didn't, thanks to our smart phones with GPS. But even if we did, there are stunning little bridges and canals that we stumbled upon...

 

   

Once we found our way out of the winding alleys, it was such a reward to see the famous landmarks  of Venice such as the Piazza San Marco...

   

 

    the palazzos,

and the Grand Canal




best viewed from the Rialto Bridge, and

Ponte dell'Accademia.

We did not ride a gondola and kissed at sunset under the Bridge of Sighs (1600) as the bells of St Mark's tolled, but I'm sure that up to this day, my husband and I still hold the promise of eternal love for each other.

Instead, we walked ashore and cherished the moment together as we sat and relaxed with this view.

As ubiquitous as the gondolas,

   


are the churches in almost every street of Venice. Good thing we were able to visit the oldest ones, like the San Giacomo di Rialto,

  

and San Polo.

While at the Campo San Polo, we found this stall of cold cuts where we bought our dinner and evening snack,
 

and coupled it with white wine and olives from the supermarket.

Of course, we had to splurge a little bit to eat authentic Italian dishes prepared by Italians themselves!

      

and so we thought....

 

 

   

 


  I shouldn't have left my kitchen and prepared my own Italian dish! I should have researched well!

But these desserts, no matter who prepared them, I just love them!

 

 
I found nothing in the city but canals and smelled nothing but salt water, but really, there was a beautiful feeling when I was in mystic Venice with my love.