At the end of every trip to a new city or country, I always reflect on what is different about that place from all the others I’ve visited. Sometimes it’s a cultural variation, sometimes it’s the physical geography. Other times it’s something I was expecting that turned out not to be the case. Here’s what I noticed on our recent trip to Venice in January.
1. Secluded Spots In Venice Exist
We had heard so many accounts of the overwhelming number of tourists in Venice, that we avoided travelling there until an opportunity arose in the off-season. There were still a lot of tourists, but because of the numerous narrow streetways that snake around the canals, it’s possible to find yourself completely alone in a small square or laneway.
2. Venetian Canines Are Very Well-Dressed
The number of adorable small dogs we spotted dressed up for their daily walk was remarkable. After about the sixth dog I saw all decked out, I started asking to take photos.
Surprisingly, one owner gave me a rather indignant “no!” I actually saw one dog across the street from where I was walking wearing a FUR coat! From a distance, it looked real. Fur on fur! That was a first for me. On our one rainy day, virtually every dog big and small donned a raincoat.
3. A City with No Cars is Very Quiet
In a Rick Steeves audio walking tour we took one afternoon, we learned that there are more Venetians who hold a gondolier’s licence than a driver’s licence. Makes sense. There is zero vehicle traffic in Venice and that makes for a very different auditory landscape. You can hear people laughing in the distance, music playing, and the sound of your own footsteps, but no vehicles zooming by. It’s lovely.
4. The Tap Water is Delizioso!
I avoid bottled water whenever possible, so I’m always thrilled when I’m visiting a country with good tap water. Venice’s water comes from a deep, clean aquifer and it has a pure, almost sweet quality to it.
I also love that most places in Italy have streaming water spouts (called nasoni) on the streets that you can use to take a drink or fill a water bottle.
An image from our previous trip to Rome. You can find these fountains in Venice too.
5. It’s Easy to Be Lured Into Buying Stuff
Venice is crammed with interesting little shops. Some are no bigger than a large closet and they are super fun to explore. Apart from the Murano glass and Carnival mask shops, there are leather goods and every sort of knick-knackery for sale. It really makes you want to shop.
We came out relatively unscathed purchasing a few consumable souvenir gifts and a sweet leather handbag I planned to buy before I visited. Set your limits and venture away from the Grand Canal area for better value. Also, offer to pay cash and bargain. Doing so resulted in a 25-euro reduction on my bag.
Have you visited Venice? What did you notice?
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I continue to enjoy your blog very much. I am strictly an armchair traveller these so it does make me a bit envious… Keep up the great job and I particularly love the photos (especially of you and Steven).
Thanks, Patricia! What is a favourite travel memory of yours?
I was intrigued to see boats as garbage trucks, UPS delivery trucks, fire trucks, laundry service, ambulance, police car, and the list goes on and on!! I think I could sit and watch the activity on the grand canal all day!
Yes! Everything happens by boat.
Interesting observations about Venice. I hadn’t thought about what a city with no cars would sound like. It would be nice to hear the other sounds of life.
It was hard to put my finger on it intially. I knew there was a different quality to the sound around me, but it took awhile to realize it was the absence of cars.
[…] The best thing about travel is discovering differences in culture, trends, and landscape from place to place. This is what I noticed in Venice, Italy. […]