While we hated to leave the Orient Express, boarding a water taxi that took us to our hotel on the Grand Canal, Palazzo Barbarigo, certainly made the transition easier. It was still our 25th anniversary, and arriving in Venice for the second time (the first more than 20 years ago) was a treat! Our suite (Grand Canal Junior Suite n. 10) was large and modern, with an amazing view of the Grand Canal and a small balcony over the water that was reserved for our breakfast each morning.
The next morning, our kids and cousins arrived and shortly thereafter we were off on a walking tour of Venice with Lucia, our local guide.
Walking tour of Venice with Lucia Bondetti.
We started in our hotel in San Polo and walked through Dorsoduro, Santa Cruce, and the Jewish Ghetto in Cannaregio. Visiting Venice with Lucia was fantastic! With unbearable crowds packing the streets from the Rialto Bridge to San Marco square, it was a pleasant surprise to see quiet streets and learn what it is like to live in Venice from a Venician. When we found a particular church closed, she made a quick phone call and the caretaker arrived to let us in. She then took us down into the only crypt in Venice with nothing but candles to light the way. Afterward, it was up to the bell tower for a fantastic view of Venice. The kids were allowed to ring the church bells. Maile, of course, couldn’t stop. On Lucia’s recommendation, we ate dinner at Osteria Alba Nova and Alex and I tried the tagliatelle with strawberries and shrimp (excellent!). Stacy had fantastic linguine with clams, Rochelle loved the gnocchi, and Maile and Alli loved their dishes also.
Ahhh, Venice!