3 Nights in Venice: Our Final Stop on an Italian Adventure
Ahh, Venice. There really is nowhere else quite like it.
After travelling through Rome, Puglia, Sorrento, Ischia, Florence, Lucca and the Tuscan countryside, Venice was our final major stop on our Italian adventure. We had three nights in the city and, almost immediately, wished we had planned for longer.
It was busy, touristy and incredibly humid, with temperatures climbing above 42 degrees during our visit. Walking around the city in that kind of heat was not always easy, but somehow Venice still managed to completely capture our attention. It is a city unlike anywhere else I have visited, and despite the crowds and the weather, it was a fitting final stop for an unforgettable trip. For our entire Italian itinerary check out this post.
Arriving in Venice
One of the first decisions we made was to book our train directly to Venezia Santa Lucia, rather than the mainland station. Santa Lucia station is right in the heart of the city, on the Grand Canal. When you step outside, you are immediately surrounded by water, bridges, boats and the unmistakable architecture of Venice.
From the station, we crossed the Ponte degli Scalzi and made our way on foot to our apartment. With a group of seven and luggage in tow, this could have been a challenging arrival, but our accommodation was in the perfect location and made the transition incredibly easy.
Our Splurge in Venice
We may have saved the best accommodation for last. Our Airbnb apartment was a splurge for our group of seven, but it was absolutely worth it. Located in a beautiful historic building with an incredible location, it gave us the perfect base for exploring Venice.
After weeks of travelling together, having a comfortable place to spread out made a big difference. We could walk everywhere, return home for a break when the heat became too much and enjoy the experience of living in Venice rather than simply passing through. The apartment itself felt like part of the adventure.
Getting Lost in Venice
Once we settled in, we headed out to explore. Venice is a maze of narrow alleyways, small bridges, hidden courtyards and beautiful old buildings. There is something around every corner, and half the fun is not knowing exactly where you are going.
We made our way to Trattoria da Gigi for a fantastic pasta dinner before stopping for gelato at Gelateria Gollonetto. That first evening set the tone for our time in Venice. We weren’t trying to rush through a checklist of attractions. We were simply wandering, eating and taking in the atmosphere.
And there was plenty to take in.
A Sunrise Photoshoot with Flytographer
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One of the things we had planned well in advance was a Flytographer photoshoot.
We wanted to commemorate our Italian adventure with photographs, and Venice seemed like the perfect place to do it. The canals, bridges and architecture provide a backdrop unlike anywhere else in the world. We booked a 90-minute photoshoot with Flytographer, working with Marta on a route through Dorsoduro.
We chose sunrise because we wanted to avoid the crowds and hopefully escape some of the intense summer heat.
Our meeting time was 6:00 in the morning. With three teenagers in our group, perhaps that should have been our first warning.
We woke up to thick whiteout fog and weren’t entirely sure what to expect. I thought this might mean cooler temperatures but boy was I wrong. By the time we met Marta, we were sweaty, tired and wondering whether we had made a terrible decision.
The good news? Marta knew exactly what she was doing.
We chose the longer 90-minute route because we wanted individual photographs of each family as well as some group shots. The early start meant we could explore parts of Venice without the usual crowds, stopping at bridges, quiet canals and interesting buildings throughout Dorsoduro route.
It was a fun way to see the city, and somehow the photographs turned out beautifully despite how hot it was. The kids still talk about that morning as one of the funny stories from our trip.
For more on why Flytographer is one of our travel favourites, see this post.
Breakfast and Exploring the Grand Canal
After the photoshoot, we headed to Gino’s for breakfast. It was still early, and many restaurants and cafes had yet to open, so finding breakfast required a little more planning.
Before heading home to let the kids head back to bed, we also picked up two-day vaporetto passes. The vaporetto is Venice’s water bus system, and having unlimited access made exploring much easier. While Venice is wonderfully walkable, the water taxis provide another perspective of the city and are particularly useful for reaching destinations further away. Later that morning, we explored on foot and by boat, making our way through some of Venice’s busiest and most iconic areas.
Rialto Bridge and St Mark’s Square
The Rialto Bridge was one of our first major stops.
This part of Venice was significantly busier than the quieter neighbourhoods we had explored earlier. The bridge itself was crowded with visitors, and the surrounding streets were packed with shops, restaurants and people navigating their way through the city.
We stopped for gelato at Suso Gelatoteca before continuing towards St Mark’s Square.
We took the vaporetto to St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. St Mark’s Square is spectacular, but it is also one of the busiest areas in Venice. During our visit, the heat made it difficult to spend long periods outside, so we took our time and made sure to find opportunities for shade and cold drinks.
A Sunset Gondola Ride
A gondola ride was Robin’s trip wish, and it did not disappoint. We decided to take a sunset ride and asked our host for recommendations on where to set out. She suggested avoiding the busiest parts of the Grand Canal and instead exploring the smaller canals around Accademia.
It was excellent advice.
Gondola prices are fixed, with a maximum of five passengers per boat. Evening rides are slightly more expensive. With seven people in our group, we hired two gondolas and split into the two families.
There is no need to book a gondola ride in advance. Simply find one of the designated gondola stands and arrange your ride directly. Our gondoliers shared information about Venice, including the history of gondolas, how they are made and what it takes to become a gondolier. More than just a boat ride, it became a great introduction to the city.
Gliding through the smaller canals as the sun set was one of those experiences that will stay with me.
Murano and Burano
The next morning, a couple members of our group decided to explore two of Venice’s nearby islands: Murano and Burano.
They took the vaporetto out to Murano, arriving as the island was beginning to wake up. Murano is famous for its glassmaking traditions, and they were able to watch a demonstration in a local workshop before wandering through the quieter streets.
From Murano, they continued to Burano, known for its brightly coloured houses. Every street seemed to offer another colourful photograph, with homes painted in vibrant shades that stand out against the canals and blue sky.
While I didn’t join this particular excursion, it was one of the highlights for those who did. It offered a different experience from central Venice and a chance to see more of the lagoon and surrounding islands.
Cicchetti and Wandering Without a Plan
Our final evening in Venice was spent doing something we had become very good at during this trip: wandering.
We explored different neighbourhoods, found interesting buildings and stumbled upon places we would never have discovered by following a guidebook. At one point, we even came across a grocery store housed in a beautiful old building.
We stopped for cicchetti, Venice’s version of small plates or tapas, enjoying them alongside drinks as we explored different bars and neighbourhoods.
Would We Go Back?
Absolutely.
Three nights were not nearly enough, particularly when the heat made it difficult to explore during the day.
I would love to return during a cooler season and spend more time discovering the quieter neighbourhoods, visiting museums and exploring some of the smaller islands.
Venice can be overwhelming. It is crowded, expensive and undeniably touristy. But it is also magical in a way that is difficult to describe until you have experienced it yourself. The canals, the architecture, the bridges and the sheer uniqueness of the city make it unlike anywhere else.
And perhaps that is why it made such a memorable final stop.
Heading Home
Eventually, our Italian adventure had to come to an end.
On our final morning, we boarded the train and travelled back to Rome for one last night before flying home to Canada.
Looking back, our month in Italy had included an incredible mix of experiences: ancient cities, coastal towns, island adventures, countryside drives, incredible food and plenty of gelato.
Venice was the perfect ending.
It was beautiful, chaotic, exhausting and unforgettable – much like travel itself. For our entire Italian itinerary check out this post.
For more on Italy, enjoy these posts.
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