I intended to write on the daily – but I have been running around with three cameras and have found it quite difficult not to sleep as soon as I hit my hotel room.
On the 7th, my sister and I boarded an afternoon flight to Mexico City in order to catch up with my parents and my brother. As soon as we got seated in the restrooms (not really but close enough), we started a new T.V. series called Orphan Black – which I highly recommend. Tatiana Maslany takes on over five roles and gives acting challenges a whole new meaning.
Once we got to Mexico City and the Fabulous Five were reunited, we hopped on two more flights. Our second stop was in Paris and let me tell you, as a fashion major, that airport is quite a treat – so many stores, so many coffee shops. Our third and final stop was Venice and we couldn’t be more excited to finally arrive after 24+ hours of travel.
On our first day, we took the time to relax and wine’n’dine at a local restaurant called Il Nuovo Galeon. My favorite dish would have to be my mom’s four cheese pasta. It was like falling in love with mac and cheese all over again. For dessert we walked next door to Gelato Crystal to buy some fior di latte gelato. What’s visiting Italy without having some gelato?
Yesterday, our second day, we woke up early and went on a private tour. I am not usually a fan of tours simply because having a photographic eye, I constantly find myself drifting off from the group and taking pictures – but this tour was very enjoyable. The woman who was our tour guide was born and raised in Venice, so she was able to take us through back alleys and into other plazas other than Piazza Di San Marcos which weren’t as tourist-packed.
We began the tour at Piazza Di San Marcos just to touch base on what we had learned our first time there, then toured around and saw theatres, libraries and local shops. We walked by a shop that had handmade gowns that people wear to Carnaval and I completely fell in love with this designer’s work. During this walk around the city I quickly realized how easily it is to spot nationalities by forms of dress. Japanese street fashion takes the trophy so far.
Once we finished the tour, we went to Do Forni – one of our favorite restaurants in Venice – and had lunch. Dish recommendations at Do Forni would easily have to be the Grilled Octopus and Celery salad and the Lamb and Potato main dish. The lamb is slowly and perfectly cooked to the point where the meat comes right off the bone. If you are not a fan of gamey meats, I would not recommend the lamb.
After lunch, my mom headed back to the hotel and my siblings and I went off to explore the streets (or allies, rather) with my dad. Never in my twenty-one years of life have I seen my dad purchase anything for himself. On this magical day, I witnessed my dad buy his all-time favorite shoes, Tod’s. It was quite satisfying in my eyes – even more satisfying than buying myself a pair of shoes.
To end the day, we went to the MET restaurant at our hotel where we had a reservation. Guests are offered two options – the traditional six-course meal or the contemporary six-course meal. My momma and I had the traditional menu and the rest of the clan had the contemporary menu. Personally, I preferred the traditional all the way through the fifth course – but the dessert from the contemporary menu won. The dessert is a thin layer of panna cotta with a light mango puree filled “yolk” and chocolate bits.
This morning, I woke up at six a.m. in order to go to Piazza Di San Marcos early enough for it to be completely vacant and have the amazing morning natural light for photography. I sat at a closed café and people-watched for about an hour. I watched the locals clean the patios of their stores, have their morning coffee and catch up with their fellow neighbors.
I proceeded to a hotel, which had a beautiful terrace facing the water and had coffee, fruit and a mini croissant as I wrote one of my friends a post-card. Who doesn’t love snail mail? This morning was complete bliss – a photographic stroll, coffee and writing (in Venice).
Susana, our tour guide, picked us up in order to head to an island called Murano. The boat ride to this island was approximately twenty minutes. When we arrived, we were taken to a Murano factory/gallery. Now, you may be thinking technology-based machines – but this factory only contains huge ovens where the artists grab melted murano glass in order to shape it for desired pieces. They lead us into one of the oven rooms and gave us a demonstration of how a murano piece is made. It is such a delicate and quick process. They lead us into the gallery after the demonstration where there was about five rooms filled with murano pieces of all sizes, colors, and themes.
After finishing up in Murano, we headed to Burano. I was in complete awe of this island – I had never been in such a photographical place in my life. This island consists of countless homes of all colors. Burano seems like a very lonely town with not much to do, but for a photographer it may or may not look like a theme park – so many windows, doors and balconies to photograph. Susana took us to a local bakery where we were given a piece of their famous bussola cookie.
Upon arrival in Torcello, we had a quick appetizer and bellini at Locanda Cipriani’s garden where Hemingway used to stay. Fun fact: Cipriani invented the bellini.
Today was a short day due to the fact we needed to be back at our hotel by three in order to head to the cruise and check in. It was the Fabulous Five, ten pieces of luggage and one vaporetto (water taxi) arriving at the dock. We went into the check-in area and were handed our cabin keys in order to pass through security and board the ship.
After being lead to our rooms, we were introduced to our butler for this trip, Wilson (he’s awesome). My parents came into our cabin and we sat down and decided on the excursions we will partake on during the cruise. A couple of minutes later we did the typical lifeboat drill and then went to dinner. It is eleven p.m. and the boat has set sail to our first destination.
This marks the end up the Venice chapter. I think I enjoyed this stay in Venice more than the first time because the things we did were more local than tourist (other than the Murano tour). Our tour guides were spectacular, our hotel was precious and although we were short on time, nothing felt rushed – everything was more than enjoyable.
This is what I leave you with for now – but I will be posting a photo journal post and more updates. To keep up, follow my Instagram here.
xx,
The Vagabond
You now have your very own personalized incense holder! My favorite incense scent is myrrh – it’s not too strong and is very soothing. For those of you who live in Miami, I highly recommend a place called 9th Chakra on Alton and Lincoln that sells crystals and incense. I go very often because they get some amazing pieces every once in a while. 
A Passport and Messy Hair 