It would be wrong of me to judge Venice based solely on a couple of hours. It would also be unfair to dismiss my reverence for this legendary city so easily. The City of Canals is meant to be savored; it deserves to be savored.
I once heard someone say that it was the moments leading up to the fulfillment of something (hopefully pleasant) that was the most joyful, sometimes even more than the fulfillment itself. Think the last week of high school before graduation. Or the night before a long well-deserved vacation. I wish I could have said the same about the instant we disembarked the speedboat ferry in Venice.
Even in the blisteringly hot sun, Venice was filled to the brim with tourists. How did they manage to keep people from falling into the canals? In the distance, just off the horizon, sat the giant cruise ships waiting for passengers to embark for their next port of call. Lining the major thoroughfares, African refugees (ready at a moment’s notice to scurry away should the Polizia come around) hawked their knock-off Chanel bags and Rolex watches in a number of different languages. A flotilla of colorful umbrellas as tour guides herded their flock of excited guests to the major sights.
The gondola ride was nowhere near as romantic (maybe even a hint inauthentic) as I had imagined. There was an amusement park feel to the whole experience. We were jostling about (unintentionally) like teenagers anxious to clamber on to the newest fastest roller coaster.
The gondola ride was not all bad though. It gave us time to admire the beautiful buildings and incredible architecture that lined the Grand Canal and daydream about who else (Marco Polo!) had travelled these very same waterways.
FUN FACT. The Gondoliers do sing if you buy the right gondola package!
What did not disappoint was the food.
TRAVEL TIP: As appealing as it is sounds to be dining al fresco (“in the open air” in Italian) in Europe, be warned that your bill may be higher than had you dined inside. This even applies if you are just enjoying a cup of coffee.
