Wander > Home: Venice, Italy
Welcome to Wander>Home, a series dedicated to sharing how I bring my travels around the world back into my home! Join me on a journey that goes beyond traditional “souvenirs” as I explore the infusion of textures, colors, art, and even memories that evoke the essence of each place I've visited. This series is an invitation to see souvenirs not just as tokens, and experiences not just as memories - but as elements that can seamlessly become part of the fabric of your home.
You see, I believe wandering > home, and the collision of the two has the opportunity to not only decorate your home but also narrate tales of your adventures.
In each part of this series, I’ll share key memories of my trip, along with specific sights, sounds, and ways I brought the experience back with me (i.e. incorporated it into the fabric of my home).
–
WANDER WITH ME…
Today, I invite you to wander with me to the Northern region of Italy - specifically the magical destination of Venice!
If you’ve never actually traveled to Venice and perhaps only seen it depicted in books or on TV, I’ll tell you this: it is EXACTLY as you imagine, plus SO much better. If you ever have the chance to go, I highly recommend traveling with a few best friends, just like I did!
Embarking on our Italian escapade, we first touched down in Milan before traveling from there to Venice. Having only had a few hours of sleep, we were nothing short of bleary-eyed…but SO eager for the adventure ahead! Opting for a prearranged transfer, we bypassed the potential stress of navigating the train system to Venice by ourselves. This (thankfully) granted us a few moments to savor a cappuccino and salad in a relaxed state on our train.
Our first taste of adventure unfolded when we inadvertently found ourselves in the wrong train car with luggage that earned the label "American bags" (aka they were BIG 😅). After a humorous shuffle to the correct carriage, we settled in with snacks (thank God), courtesy of our companion Deanna whom we teased about said snacks just a few hours before.
Needless to say, we were buzzing with excitement, and that excitement only escalated when we arrived in Venice only to realize - there are no cars, only boats!
Now, maybe you already knew this - but I did not - and let’s just say, it was a notable surprise!
Alas, we hopped on our “taxi” (i.e. a classic Venice boat) and were transported to the Splendid Hotel. The unexpected boat ride to the Splendid, felt like a dream, complete with Italian music, singing, and a fairytale ambiance.
*It’s important to note that you could have literally sent me home right at this point, because I had already died and gone to heaven!*
The enchantment continued as we ditched our “American bags” at the hotel and set out on foot to explore Venice's maze of cobblestone streets, marveling at intricate doors and absorbing the city's rich history. Our aimless wandering (trust me - maps are of no use, because everything looks the same!) ultimately led us to the lively Doge's Palace Square, where an orchestra played, capturing the essence of Venice – music everywhere. Tempted by treasures in quaint stores, we resisted the urge to buy too much, mindful of our nine more days in Italy and limited luggage space.
A dinner reservation at a recommended restaurant unfolded as a delightful culinary journey. Trying an array of dishes served in the “Italian way” - one plate at a time - we savored the local flavors, including a popular cod fish salad on soft bread. It was unforgettable! The evening concluded with a scenic, bridge-filled wander back to our hotel. Did we get a little bit lost? Sure. Was it worth it? Absolutely.
Our rooms at this hotel….they were so beautiful! From stunning wallpaper and canal-facing windows to lavish marble bathrooms - it was nothing short of a visual feast. Champagne, biscuits, and chocolates on our pillows added an extra layer of indulgence, to say the least! Take me back and drop me there.
We devoured every inch of what we saw. I could’ve just sat and stared for hours and STILL not taken it all in.
We got a great night's sleep and woke up to the sound of the bells chiming - can you even!? I’ll officially be checking on installing a bell tower at my new home and reminding myself to sleep with the windows open. Just kidding, but not really…
A guided tour, led by a knowledgeable (and stunningly beautiful) Italian local named Chiara, unveiled Venice's history, its foundation on wood pylons, and the perpetual threat of flooding. While some tours can be a snooze-fest, Chiara invited us into the experience, and I walked away with a wealth of respect and understanding of Venice’s unique history and infrastructure!
Navigating the local market (fish, fish, and more fresh fish) and learning about the daily life of Venetians added an authentic touch to our experience. Chiara's expert guidance led us to extend our stay (we weren’t ready to say goodbye), and we opted for an afternoon excursion to Murano, witnessing the mesmerizing art of glass-blowing. The free shuttle then transported us to Burano, a vividly colored fishing village, where we indulged in an unforgettable lunch, marked by the delectable tiramisu.
As our two (short) days in Venice concluded, we boarded a late train back to Milan, wrapping up our whirlwind adventure through the canals and cobblestones of this mesmerizing city.
Venice left an indelible mark on us, and I urge you to explore its wonders with an open mind - if possible, before the bustling summer season!
How I brought Venice “HOME” with me:
One of the key things that stood out to me in Venice was the DOORS. Everywhere (and I mean EVERYWHERE) you look is a giant door with a “tiny” door cut out of it. In reality, the “tiny” door is the normal-sized entryway. What stood out to me more than this unusual style of doorways, however, was the gorgeous hardware. This inspired me to select similar door knobs for the new home I am designing this year. Every time I go to open a door in my new home, I’ll be reminded of the majestic cobblestone streets and resounding sound of music I experienced in Venice.
If I’d had a screwdriver this doorknob might be in my possession right now! I hope to work with a local metalsmith to create doorknobs that are similar to this!
In closing, I think it’s fair to say that when we travel, it’s easy to blaze past the seemingly ordinary things. Even though these are things we might not see in our everyday lives, we tend to get caught up in the hustle of moving quickly onto the next “thing”. What I have found, however, is that some of these “small” details/moments are the most stunning – we just have to be willing to notice them.
Alas, in each WANDER>HOME blog, I’ll share a list of my key memories so that you can keep them as a “Don’t miss list” for when you visit the destination!
“Don’t miss list” for when you go to Venice…
Luggage guy
Taxi (boat)
Splendid hotel
Wallpaper
Windows
Canals
Colors
Friday
Italian singing
Chiara
Built-on pylons driven into the ground by men
