Venice: An Artist’s Dream!

When I seek another word for ‘music’, I never find any other word than ‘Venice ~ Friedrich Nietzsche

Venice is a poem, a painting, a drama, a dream, a mellifluous song. What you feel in Venice, you can’t really feel in any other place. With its unique setting of canals, connecting bridges and alleys, it never fails to inspire an artist.

Our trip to Venice was not the part of our European tour. While already in Europe, we quickly decided that Venice would be a lifetime opportunity, so why not?

As we approached  Venice on the ferry transfer from the airport, it evoked nostalgia of an unusual kind. Maybe it had to do with Shakespeares’ plays that were part of school curriculum. I was dead tired by the time we reached our hotel, the Russo Palace. And in strange contrast, my husband was bubbling with excitement.

Interrupting my sweet nap, he said “How can you sleep in such a beautiful city? Let’s move out !. There is so much to see. ” I could see the joy & elation on his face and curiosity in his eyes.

As the Gondola glided smoothly, views of the beautiful dilapidated walls, the baroque styled picturesque bridges, the Grand Canal,  intimate balconies with hanging potted flowers: all passed before our eyes, much like a surreal dream.

Italians are impeccably stylish. Fellow passengers on gondolas too were dressed up with much elan.

Doge’s Palace, Saint Mark’s Basilica, Rialto Bridge. All iconic Venetian structures just a stone’s throw away from each other on Piazza San Marco.Built in 1588, Rialto Bridge marks the place of the Venetian island’s first settlement which served as a busy crossing point midway along the canal.It’s a great vantage point for taking photographs, and for watching the assortment of boats passing under the classically beautiful bridge.

To get a bird’s eye view of Venice, we got to the top of Campanile which is the ancient city’s tallest building. Yes, no modern skyscrapers here! The trails of moving ferries, slow gondolas, the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore, all looked so tiny.

My husband intentionally avoided me when I called out his name from a distance while buying souvenirs at a small shop.I was running short of Euros! The shopkeeper quickly imitated me and howled ” Sameerrrr” in his middle eastern accent. My husband glanced back and we all smiled.

The narrow alleys of Venice bustle with small shops and are truly a shopper’s paradise.

Evenings in Venice were quite dramatic and quiet as well. Walking around aimlessly in the late evening is “Oh so romantic”!  Days are always busy coping with the tourists.

Zero cars, 417 connecting bridges,118 islands, 177 canals, narrowest lanes( as narrow as 53 cm) & slowly sinking. This city is as interesting as it can be. Known as the most beautiful city in the world, Venice is worth a visit at least once in a lifetime.

And while on a visit to this glorious Italian city, don’t forget to indulge in a bit of your favorite Gelato!

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