We started our Italian road trip with seat heat in Germany. A quick stop in Innsbruck, Austria, before reaching Bella Italia. The country to explore for the next weeks. Yeah!
As soon as we crossed the border to Italy, the sun came out. Beautiful. 20C degrees. sunshine and blue sky. That’s all we asked for.
First espresso ☕️
Diving into the Dolce Vita. Learning a bit of Italian on the go (hubbys first lunch order was a big surprise, lol).
We stayed in Mestre (Venice on the main land) and used the tram to the auto-free heart of the city. Payment via QR code and what’s up. Super cheap, simple and convenient.
We arrived in Venice, the floating city. And yes, it is the Queen of the Adriatic! Just wow! 🎭
Isn’t that beautiful?
Venice is a city built on water, and the Canale Grande is its bustling Main Street, not only for the tourists on gondolas.
But why build a city on water?
In the early 5th century, Italy was being invaded by barbarian tribes. People fled their homes and found refuge in the Venetian lagoon. The water, acting as a natural barrier, made it difficult for invaders to cross.
DHL post being delivered via the Canale Grande
Sitting here for hours, watching Venice life go by. Aperol Spritz included, of course!
The Venetian Spritz is served with a green olive 🫒
118 islands in Venice have to be connected… by over 400 bridges!
The most famous one is the Rialto Bridge.
Under the bridge Since 421 A.D., this floating city has defied the laws of time and engineering. While other cities rise on rock or concrete, Venice rests on wooden piles submerged in saltwater. Yes, wood. Mainly alder, a tree that doesn’t rot underwater. When buried in mud and immersed in salt, the wood doesn’t weaken; it petrifies. Over the centuries, it hardens, becoming nearly as strong as stone. An ancient wonder that still supports an entire city. Venice doesn’t float by magic. It floats by necessity and by strength 😉First gelato is the best (also second and third ones 😉). OMG, I almost forgot how fantastic gelato can taste like. Sooooo good! Beautiful park for walking Charlie 🐶
Italians are always (even in the dog park) dressed nicely. Love the window displays.
Just gloves, the most beautiful gloves 💃 Hats Even the doggie bags look fashionable. Lol.
San Marco plaza: famous for tourists & doves 😀
That view, magical 💫 Aperol Spritz 19€ – no thank you! Nice view though! Doves… everywhere…Stunning
Venice isn’t just about gondolas, palazzos, and canals – it’s a gastronomic treasure chest that has been marinating in centuries of trade, culture, and pure Italian flair.
Fish & wine – nothing else needed 🙂The colors of Italy or “cicchetti”, tapas.Classic Venetian starter: all seafood and fish 🎣 Even the wine comes along the gondola 🙂Pizza frutti di mare 🦞 Charlie in Venice, waiting for a slice of pizza to fall down…Another beautiful day is ending in the City 🌆 Venetian daily life Getting lost in Venice and discovering wonderful hidden places: like this guys enjoying their break.Siesta while waiting for new customers. 😍
Driving to the land where Prosecco is superior 🥂
Can a Monday afternoon be spent any better? We arrived in the Prosecco Hills.
Cartizze, apparently it’s the tiny hill where the best of the best prosecco comes from… We just stopped at the first place that looked nice 😆Salute! 👌 That view 😌Fall in the vineyard 🍂 All grapes 🍇 already harvestedThat’s my Italy: “snail rolls”, a childhood memory (tasted better 30 years ago 😉)
Childhood summer destination: Bibione. Venice is so close, so we stopped by. Never seen this town so empty, it’s off season. Besides, not much has changed since my last visit about 25 years ago. And still good to be back.
Ciao, Bibione 👋Beach walk Enjoying an early dinner directly at the beach.
Last hours in beautiful Venice.
Charlie riding the tram Buona notte!
Venice was wonderful, perfect weather included. We are moving on: from prosecco to vino in Tuscany.
Stuttgart547 