What comes to mind when you hear the word “Italy?” For some, it enlists their taste buds for the wonderful cuisine from Tuscany; others picture the gory battles of the gladiators at the Roman Colosseum; even so, plenty others imagine the romantic getaway that couples experience while taking a gondola ride down the Grand Canal. Whichever sense brings you to this beautiful country, it will definitely not disappoint. Here’s a guide on how to get the most out of your eight-day visit to Italy!
“A realist, in Venice, would become a romantic by mere faithfulness to what he saw before him.”
Arthur Symons
Day One: Riva Degli Schiavone, Bridge of Sighs, Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Square, Teatro La Fenice
Taking a boat from the main land will start you at the Riva Degli Schiavone where you can see many street vendors selling souvenirs, snacks, and pastries. The backdrop of this promenade includes hotels which used to serve as palaces and a gorgeous view of the city at sunrise, but as you continue along the pathway, you’ll begin to see statues that usher you into the main part of Venice.
On the right hand side, you’ll discover the ‘Bridge of Sighs,’ whose name came from the fact that this was the bridge convicts crossed before their imprisonment, and they’d give one last “sigh” to their final view of Venice. Following down the route will bring you past the Doge’s Palace and into St. Mark’s Square. It’s no secret that Venice is slowly sinking into the sea, so when the water levels are higher than normal, you will see water coming up from the ground and it will begin to flood the square. Take a moment to enjoy the gorgeous mosaic work on the facade and throughout the Basilica; this artwork was created over eight centuries and shows the development of technique through linear perspective.
Travel through the narrow passage way on the North-West corner of St. Mark’s Square and you’ll begin to see the many canals that form Venice’s archipelago. Along the route to the next destination, you’ll be able to stop at a quaint restaurant for some local cuisine. One particular dish that interested my travel companions was the spaghetti al nero di seppia, a pasta with squid cooked in a sauce containing it’s own ink. Cross this off your bucket list, but be sure to have some mouth wash because the black ink is very noticeable on your teeth.
If you’re a lover of opera and the theatre, the next place on our tour leads us to the Teatro La Fenice. True to its name, The Phoenix has risen from it’s ashes after three devastating fires have led to it’s current facade which was completed in 2004. Hailed as one of the most famous landmarks in the history of Italian theatre, La Fenice was home to many opera premieres by Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti, and Verdi . . . just to name a few.
As you head North, you will begin to hear the gentle waves of the Grand Canal (Venice’s largest water corridor) where a lot of photos and gondola rides can be enjoyed. If riding a gondola in Venice isn’t on your bucket list, it NEEDS to be. Even though I was nervous about riding one, the experience was absolutely amazing and the views from the water were stunning.
After the relaxing trip through the water passageways via a gondola, walk along the Grand Canal to take pictures worth a thousand words. Eventually, you’ll end up at the Rialto Bridge which is another great site to see.
Finish your first day in Venice by getting some world famous gelato at GROM, stopping by the Acqua Alta Book Shop, and losing yourself in all the side streets and canals. Every direction is full of so much life!
Day Two: The Verona Arena, Castelvecchio Museum, Juliet’s Balcony
After a full day of exploring Venice, it’s time to head to Florence, but not before stopping by Verona. It’s an extra hour drive, but it’s definitely worth it. The first stop in Verona is a museum that shares its property with a massive medieval castle. You can find some great photos of this location at every turn.
Travel to the East and you’ll see a sight that seems a little familiar, yet different. I like to consider the Arena in Verona as a smaller version of the Roman Colloseum you’ll see later in the trip. The best part about this historic theatre is that it’s still being used today!
The final (and most important) stop in Verona is Juliet’s Balcony. Here, you’re able to leave love letters on the wall, so make sure you take paper, pen, and some tape to make your love life flourish. It’s also been said that if you grab the bust of Juliet’s statue, your luck in love is about to turn.
The Wayfaring Texan 