Trying to discover the charms of Venice in a a day and a half is certainly a tall task.
We arrived at the Venice Cruise Terminal around 10 a.m. as the final stop of our 2017 Windstar Mediterranean cruise. After a smooth disembarkation, we took a pre-arranged car through the outer city to a central water taxi terminal.
From there, our Venetian adventure truly began.
A short 15-minute water taxi ride carried us through the famous canals to our hotel. Riding through Venice for the first time was magical. As we glided along the waterways, we passed centuries-old buildings, churches rising from the canal edges, small cafés, and gondolas drifting beneath stone bridges.
I had seen countless photos and movies featuring Venice and its iconic canals, but experiencing it in person was something entirely different.
Venice is truly unlike any city in the world.
Founded more than 1,500 years ago, the city is built on 118 small islands connected by over 400 bridges, with canals serving as its streets. Instead of cars and buses, transportation happens primarily by boat.
☀️ An Afternoon Discovering Venice
After checking into our charming hotel, we consulted the concierge to help plan our afternoon.
Our goal was simple: begin exploring Venice’s neighborhoods and canals while saving the major attractions for the following morning.
Bob had already arranged a late dinner reservation that evening at a highly rated restaurant, so we had several hours to wander and explore.
Within just a few blocks we stumbled upon a small square filled with restaurants tucked away from the main tourist routes. The smell of fresh Italian cooking was irresistible, so we picked a table and settled in for lunch.
The weather was warm and sunny. Flowers decorated balconies and window boxes throughout the square, and the surrounding buildings showcased Venice’s unique blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and Byzantine architectural styles.
Our lunch was delicious — as was the wine.
🎻 A Wonderful Surprise: Museo della Musica
Continuing our walk toward the St Mark’s Square district, we wandered through narrow streets and across tiny bridges spanning quiet canals.
Eventually we emerged from an archway into a small square and noticed an intriguing doorway leading into the Museo della Musica, located inside the historic San Maurizio Church.
Bob and I both enjoy fascinating museums, especially those connected to music, so we decided to explore.
The museum is dedicated to the work of Antonio Vivaldi and other Venetian composers from the Baroque period.
Venice was actually one of Europe’s most important musical centers during the 17th and 18th centuries, and Vivaldi himself spent much of his life working here.
Inside the museum we saw:
- Early violins and string instruments
- Historic cellos and harpsichords
- Rare musical artifacts
- Displays explaining how instruments were crafted centuries ago
Even better, admission was free, although donations were encouraged.
🌉 Crossing the Famous Rialto Bridge
After leaving the museum we continued wandering through Venice, gradually learning the city’s layout.
Eventually we reached one of Venice’s most famous landmarks — the Rialto Bridge.
Completed in 1591, the Rialto Bridge was the first permanent bridge to span the Grand Canal, which is Venice’s main waterway. For centuries it served as the commercial center of the city, connecting busy merchant districts.
Today the bridge remains one of Venice’s most photographed landmarks.
After crossing it, we treated ourselves to a well-earned gelato before returning to the hotel to rest before dinner.
🚤 City Services on the Water
Growing up near New York City, I’m used to busy urban environments.
But Venice operates in a completely different way.
Because the city has no roads for cars, every essential service must operate by boat.
During our stay we saw:
- Water buses (vaporetto) transporting commuters
- Police boats patrolling canals
- Water ambulances rushing to emergencies
- Garbage boats collecting trash
- Even a fire boat responding to a nearby fire
The entire city functions as a fully operational metropolis built on water, which makes Venice endlessly fascinating.
🍷 A Special Dinner in Venice
That evening we traveled to dinner using Venice’s vaporetto water bus, which runs along the Grand Canal like a floating subway system.
Riding the vaporetto at night was an experience in itself.
The city was illuminated, and the lights reflected beautifully off the water. Canal traffic had changed from the busy workday pace to a slower, romantic evening atmosphere.
Gondolas glided past while people enjoyed dinners and celebrations on boats.
On the way to the restaurant we passed a remarkable sight — a massive sculpture of two giant hands rising out of the water supporting a building.
This installation, called Support by Lorenzo Quinn, had been created for the 2017 Venice Biennale, one of the world’s most prestigious international art exhibitions.
The sculpture symbolized humanity’s power to either protect or destroy the planet.
Seeing it in person was unforgettable.
Our dinner took place in a beautiful historic building with carved moldings and Renaissance-style paintings.
The meal was wonderful:
- Fresh Italian pasta
- Local fish with delicate sauces
- Octopus entrée
- Tiramisu
- Italian chocolate cake with warm chocolate sauce
Needless to say, it was a memorable evening.
⛪ St. Mark’s Square
The next morning we set out early for one of the most famous public spaces in the world — St. Mark’s Square, known in Italian as Piazza San Marco.
Walking through the narrow streets, we passed locals opening their shops and preparing for the day.
Soon we reached the entrance to the square beneath the St Mark’s Clock Tower, built in 1499.
When we stepped into the square, the view was breathtaking.
Dominating the far end is the magnificent St Mark’s Basilica, one of the most extraordinary churches in Europe.
The basilica’s architecture reflects strong Byzantine influences, with domes and elaborate mosaics that shimmer in gold. Inside are more than 8,000 square meters of mosaic artwork depicting biblical scenes and Venetian history.
We had booked a skip-the-line guided tour, which turned out to be a great decision because the lines were already long.
Our guide explained the history of the basilica, including how the remains of St. Mark the Evangelist were brought to Venice in the 9th century and became the city’s patron saint.
🛍️ Shopping Near St. Mark’s Square
After the tour we strolled along the Merceria, Venice’s main shopping street connecting St. Mark’s Square with the Rialto district.
The area was filled with luxury boutiques, jewelry stores, fashion shops, and cafés.
During our walk Bob surprised me by purchasing a beautiful necklace at a jewelry shop.
I still wear it today — a wonderful reminder of our visit to Venice.
Next door to the basilica stands the magnificent Doge’s Palace, once the political center of the Venetian Republic and residence of the Doge, Venice’s ruling leader.
If we had more time we would have loved to explore it, but another destination was calling us.
🏝️ Visiting the Island of Murano
Our cruise director had recommended visiting Murano, famous worldwide for its glassmaking tradition.
Glassmaking was moved to Murano in 1291 when Venetian authorities feared glass furnaces could cause fires in the crowded city.
For centuries Murano glassmakers became some of the most skilled artisans in Europe, creating intricate chandeliers, sculptures, and jewelry.
We caught a water bus from San Zaccaria, just north of St. Mark’s Square.
The short two-mile ride across the lagoon offered great views of Venice.
Once on Murano we wandered through narrow streets lined with glass shops and galleries.
Glass blowing studio on Murano
Many studios offered live glass-blowing demonstrations, where artists shaped glowing molten glass into delicate works of art.
Watching the process was fascinating.
I purchased a few Murano glass beads as souvenirs.
🍝 Lunch on Murano
Eventually hunger struck again, and we searched for a place to eat.
We discovered a small family restaurant with a beautiful garden terrace.
Lunch was perfect:
- Pasta vongole (clams) for me
- Pasta with sausage for Bob
- Fresh bread
- Crisp Italian white wine
Afterward we spent more time browsing Murano’s glass galleries before returning to Venice by water bus.
🌆 Heading Back to Venice
Returning to St. Mark’s Square, we wandered through the streets again enjoying another gelato before making our way back to the hotel.
Venice has so many incredible museums that we barely scratched the surface.
If we had more time, I would have loved to visit:
- Peggy Guggenheim Collection, housed in a beautiful Grand Canal palace
- The Doge’s Palace Museum
✨ Final Thoughts: The Charms of Venice
Our time in Venice was unforgettable.
Even though we spent only about a day and a half exploring the city, we experienced:
- Historic churches and museums
- Iconic bridges and canals
- Incredible food
- Fascinating islands like Murano
Still, Venice is a city that deserves several days of exploration.
We left the next morning for Prague, but I remember wishing we had scheduled at least two more days in Venice.
There is simply so much to see and experience in this remarkable floating city.
Hopefully someday we’ll return.
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