Our midnight arrival in Venice was quite spectacular. Stepping off of our vaporetto (water taxi) on a misty cool night, we were immediately enveloped into the magic of Carnival and the history of Venice.  St. Marks Square showed remnants of the day's celebration with confetti filled cobble stones and lingering masked partiers silently moving through the lamp light. Wandering through to narrow streets and passages we fell in love with Venice before we even arrived at our beautiful quaint hotel.  All this was just a foreshadowing of the days ahead. 

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The next morning we met our traveling partners and our spunky, smart, knowledgeable guide, Nina. We plunged into the streets and into the history of one of the most celebrated cities in the world. Starting at the majestic St. Marks Square and weaving our way through the maize of narrow walkways we were introduced to not only the sites but the social norms and cultural identities of the Venetians.

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The next three days in Venice proved to be just as fascinating. We saw all the major sites with the local tour guide who was highly educated and lived in the city herself. We went to museums and churches, climbed high to see the city at twilight, visited the lovely islands of Burano and San Michele, and took a gondola ride. Our personal favorite was visiting two artisan sisters who make gondolas at their generations-old family company. Our meals were spectacular and celebratory and a place to share with our group. By the end of the three days in Venice, we had bonded as a group, found friends and a leader/guide extraordinaire.

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Note the last icon below is a link to a 360 video.  When you click it, it will start playing.  Then you can click and drag around to see Venice like you were there with us!