We spent quite awhile in Italy this summer, but ignored Venice. Partly because flights and trains were inconvenient and hotel prices were high. But mostly because we knew it would be a sardine tin of tourists without an Italian in sight.
Then Maggie suggested we go for her birthday. Amazing idea, kiddo. We waited till about a week before, found a flight and an apartment for really reasonable prices, and boom! Venice!
We went for the city alone, passing all the churches and museums and even parks. We immediately recycled the map we were given upon check-in, turned off Google maps, and just walked.
Amazingly, we did find our way through the labyrinthian streets and bridges, managing to find grocery stores, vaporetto stops, and (every night!) our apartment. By the third day, we even had a sense of where we were going.
Since we had no real goals, we could let the kids lead us wherever they wanted to turn, and we only got turned around by flooded streets the last morning. (Yes, my shoes are still wet, but my feet have been kissed by the acqua alta of Venice!)
I took sooooo many pictures — in Venice proper, the glass-blowing island of Murano, and the picturesque Burano too — so just get ready for a big photo dump. It’s Venice!!
Magrilless 
Overwhelming beautiful…. and no, I didn’t find Maggie…. maybe under the tree????
IN the tree
We did find Maggie!
It looks cold. I’ll bet that makes if even more memorable.
I knew exactly where to look for Maggie – only disappointment was that she wasn’t hanging upside down from a limb 😂
Absolutely stunning photos and experience you are having. Venice is gorgeous!!!
What neat City. I am glad you made the most of it. I figured Maggie was IN the tree, but my eyes are not good enough to see her.
Oh I’m having fun catching up on the ol blog this morning! Nice jump shot…getting good, girls! And I saw Maggie’s floating head in the tree. Am I right?! Venice looked and sounded cool. I can’t wait to go someday!!!