My next adventure has led me to Venice, Italy. Venice is a unique place, filled with curiosity, romance and adventure. The Italians are beyond welcoming and passionate especially when it comes to expressing themselves with hand gestures. The food is beyond amazing, and I how can I forget about the gelato ice cream (oh how I love ICE CREAM). On arrival, I thought it was refreshing to arrive by boat to the hotel.
Where to stay: Our hotel was located by the Rialto Bridge. Everything is mostly within walking distance.
How to get around: water taxi, private boat, or walk (once you get to your hotel). To keep cost to and from the airport, I paid for a roundtrip water taxi (about 27 euros)
Food and drinks: Bellini, pasta, and pizza
What to do:
- Gondola Flotilla ride (in my opinion it wasn’t worth 50 euros, but I wanted the experience)
- visit the Teatro La Fenice opera house
- visit the St Mark’s Basilica
- take a hop on hop off boat ride to see more monuments and the Island of Murano.
Go shopping:
- Italy is the place to purchase leather bags; second, the cost is cheaper, and lastly, If you pay taxes when shopping abroad, you can often get your money back.
- VAT refunds at the airport once you leave, don’t forget if you qualify to ask for VAT-refund paperwork from the cashier
Did anything funny happen: Yes, my LS (sorority sister) and I ordered a lobster pasta and assumed it was 9 euros ( we both know good and well lobster isn’t this cheap) but hey I thought maybe there were having a lobster sale LOL. Next, after devouring our lobster pasta, the waiter came back with the check… 131 euros LAWD!!!!!!!!!
Me: sir this can’t be right, sooooo the lobster wasn’t 9 euros
Waiter: no, it’s 9 euros per 100 grams
Me: can you please bring me another Bellini… LOL
The lesson of the story: please read the menu in its entirety and if you have questions, please ask them.
Did anything strange happen: Yes, there were thousands of people you saw in the daytime, but at night it appears the whole town disappeared. I was trying to figure out where did everybody go. It was really strange, however, a native explained there isn’t a nightlife, just small bars and many of them close early.