52. Venice Italy. Travel to Venice Italy. Explore the cobblestone streets. Marvel at St. Mark's square and take a gondola ride through Venice's enchanting canals.

Welcome to Episode 52 and the beginning of a whole series of podcasts all about Italy.

For our first episode we are in the magical city of Venice. This is my first trip to Venice and I was so excited to visit.

We begin with our water taxi ride across the lagoon into the Grand Canal to our accommodation at the Foscari Palace.

We stroll through the cobblestone streets, crossing over many bridges with canals full of gondolas into St Mark's Square.

Then we take you on a gondola ride through the canals, under bridges and past many stunning ancient buildings. It was just as incredible as I thought it would be and was one of those pinch me moments that will stay in my memory for ever.

Lastly, we share a food and wine tour that we did visiting four very unique wine and cicchetti bars that only the locals know about.

Stay listening to the end to hear how much it costs to buy a gondola and our favourite places to enjoy a glass of vino in the beautiful city of Venice.

Show notes and pictures below

This was my first visit to Venice and I was so excited just to catch the water taxi from Marco Polo airport to our accommodation at the Foscari Palace. It took about 30 minutes and I stood up the front taking as many pictures as I could. The water taxis are about a 10 minute easy walk from the luggage collection area and there are many taxis. We were first off and we jumped straight out of our boat onto the front steps of our accommodation.

After checking in to our amazing hotel, the Foscari Palace, we put on our walking shoes and headed off to explore. We knew the weather wasn’t going to stay sunny, so we wanted to see as much as we could. We walked everywhere. Through the streets, over the bridges and found our way easily to St. Mark’s Square. It was really beautiful. The original city gates and the canal were just gorgeous and we sat and enjoyed a very expensive drink, but with million dollar views.

Of course, there are gondolas everywhere, and I was mesmerised by them. I could have watched them gliding under the little bridges all day - but we decided to do our own gondola ride while it was warm and sunny. The rides start from 80 euro. I think it is money well spent. It is so quiet, peaceful and romantic as you glide silently through the back canals, past gorgeous ancient buildings. One of those once in a lifetime experiences.

Another highlight of our time in Venice was a food and wine tour that we did (even if it was pouring rain). The tour was Wine and Cichetti like a local. You can see the tour details here.

We visited four different venues. The first one was Why Not cichetti bar, the second (and our favourite) was Sepa - you can see it here. The third was an historic bar that used to be where all the men and courtesans hung out called Ostaria Antico Dolo. and the last one, was right near the Rialto markets called Wenice.

We enjoyed a huge variety if Cichettis and lots of local wines. We would highly recommend this food tour.