Experiencing the Best of Europe
Day 8: Unforgettable Venice
“Not all those who wander are lost.” – J. R. R. Tolkien
Best Moments
1. Pizza together in small Tirolean Village and 1 Euro wine
2. Dinner together with unlimited wine and wonderful clam pasta
3. Watching the Italy vs. Spain game and seeing the faces in the crowd
4. Drinking aperol and spritz
5. Jennifer taking us to a glamorous restaurant/bar in San Marco and meeting Max
Daily Recap
*We were all very excited as we received our Italian 101 course on the bus. Italy would soon be under our feet.
*Lunch was in a quiet little Tirolean town called Egna. We savored pizza and sipped on wine that was only 1 Euro. I think I ate a whole pizza myself. The ingredients seem so fresh and everything taste like it was plucked at its peak. Yum.
*I was so excited to return to Venice. It is cliche to say it is magical, but that is exactly what it is.
*You would think I would be unable to eat after the lunch I stuffed myself with, but the food is too tempting to look at without indulging in the flavors. We went to a restaurant off the main canal and were treated to great hospitality, authentic food, and a never-ending supply of wine.
*Tonight was game night and we brought the same bad luck we brought to Germany. I loved watching the faces of the Italians as they sat on the edge of there seats, praying for a win.
Personal Connections
*I don't think this little space is going to be enough to capture the people I met in Italy. Looking back, we met so many memorable people and had unforgettable experiences with Italians. I'll attempt to cover what I can.
*Venice is full of people; mostly tourists. I learned from my last trip here that the best time to explore Venice is in the morning and evening. This is when locals can mingle with smart travelers.
*Watching a football game in the home country is an authentic experience. Jennifer did a great job of getting us to where the locals were rooting on their team. I would love to go to a live game some day.
*After the game we were not ready to return to the hotel, so we walked to San Marco. Jennifer took us to one of the restaurants with the dueling symphonies. There we met Max. He has a beautiful restaurant. While visiting, we were able to meet another Rick Steves guide and driver. Max's bartenders poured us some sweet Italian concoctions. Lemoncello, aperol, bellini's, etc. We sipped on our drinks as we listened to the music and watched the people exploring Venice at night.
Stub Hub
The hotels we stay at while on the trip offer prime locations and hospitable people. Some people may be intimidated by these family-owned places, but I think they are the best. The accommodations provide exactly what is needed, and offer a safe and comfortable place to return to at night. Sometimes the owners are like their own little tourist office. They offer great, local advice for whatever is needed.
Jennifer gave us this map from another hotel to help acquaint us with the area. When walking around Venice, it is best to take a look at the map, then put it away and explore. Following canal names is not the easiest. I typically determine my destinations location relative to the major sights like the Rialto or San Marco. Then I follow the signs to that place and make my way to wherever I want to go. I've also found asking locals for help simple. Dove...
While on the bus to Italy we learned about the language, culture, history, and most importantly: the food. Jennifer gave us a sample menu to explain how meals work and some common phrases that would help us when ordering. I think I'll take the...