If you’ve ever dreamed of going to Italy, chances are you’ve admired photographs of Venice, the postcard-ready city built on more than 100 small islands in the Adriatic sea.
Today, I lived that Italian dream.
Everything about Venice was dreamy – the rustic homes by the water, the intricate detail of the churches, the bridges connecting the islands, the little shops and cafes, the fresh produce markets, the flower boxes, the window shapes… all of it was so captivating.
After taking a walking tour of the city, we got to experience Venice with the waves – a gondola ride through the canals.
I tried to just take it all in, admiring the beauty of the landscape and architecture around me. It was breathtaking. Even the stone, where the water rose and fell, created beautiful layers of color on the walls along the canal.
I could have floated around Venice for hours, but before I knew it, our ride was complete.
The rest of the city did not disappoint –
We found a quirky book shop tucked in the narrow roads of the city called Libreria Acqua Alta. I’m a sucker for a cool bookshop, but this one was extra special…
There were cats!!
The first thing we saw were cats roaming around the books and postcards that were on display outside. What could possibly be better than piles of books and precious cats? (It really made me miss my cat, Gattino. His name means kitten in Italian.)
In addition to a vast variety of books inside, there were also cat themed postcards, calendars, knickknacks, books, etc. I found a post card of a grey cat looking toward the waters of Venice. I couldn’t pass it up. I decided to give this to my dad because Gattino and my dad are best buds. It’s kindof a silly little gift, but I know he will love it.
I also found a gift for my mom in Venice – a pair of orange, Murano glass earrings. Murano glass is made on the Venetian island of Murano. There, this glassware has been made for centuries. I can’t wait to give them to her! I know that, when someone compliments her on them, she will love saying, “Thanks! They are from Italy!”
I love the little moments where I can see something or hear something, a half a world away, and it reminds me of my loved ones. Venice is full of special moments like that and more.