There are few places in the world as unique and enchanting as Venice. After 10 days of traveling across Italy, we spent three unforgettable nights in this romantic city, which was every bit as magical as we’d imagined, even if a bit soggy at times. From our stunning canalside balcony at My Rialto Palace to the peaceful respite at Ca Tessera Venice Airport, Venice offered the perfect blend of exploration, culture, and relaxation.
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Where We Stayed: My Rialto Palace and Ca Tessera Venice Airport
For the first two nights, we stayed at My Rialto Palace, an absolutely fantastic Airbnb just off the Grand Canal and round the corner from the Rialto Bridge. Our room had a canalside balcony that allowed us to watch the world go by on the water. Waking up to watch the gondolas float by was a quintessential Venice experience and the building is really impressive inside. Our room had a toilet just outside it but in a separate room – with our own key and lock etc, but if this would put you off the other rooms are en-suite. The location was ideal, as we were just a short walk from all the main attractions in the city.
After two days in the heart of Venice, we spent our final night at Ca Tessera Venice Airport, a more relaxed, tranquil hotel closer to the airport. It was the perfect way to wind down after the hustle and bustle of Venice. With two pools, a shuttle service to the airport and local restaurants, and a serene, quiet atmosphere, it was the ideal place to decompress before flying home. Given how much we’d been on the move during our trip, the peacefulness of Ca Tessera was actually a really welcome change and what we had originally booked as a kind of “make it easy to get to the airport at 5am” type stay actually rounded off the whole trip really well.
The room itself was big and had a nice bathroom, and the hotel is kind of a re-worked old farm / barns type vibe, so had real character.
Day 1: Venice in the Rain – Flooded Streets and Unforgettable Sights
We arrived in Venice and luckily managed to get to the Airbnb safe and dry before we were greeted with typical Venetian weather—a torrential downpour.
And when we say heavy rain, we mean it was a monsoon. Our first few hours in the city were spent dodging puddles, trying to navigate the narrow streets under umbrellas that were no match for the downpour. Eventually, we had to take shelter in a cozy bar and dry off while sipping Prosecco…in Venice, even the rain has its own charm. Some weeks later when we found out Kirsty was pregnant, it also made Elliot suggest Tempesta as a name for our soon-to-be born daughter – it’s Italian for storm.
That said, it wasn’t all rain-soaked misfortune.
Piazza San Marco & Basilica
Venice was still stunning, even in a downpour. The Piazza San Marco was flooded (as it sometimes is when the water level rises), which added a surreal touch to the scene. The sight of water creeping over the cobblestones while people navigated the square in rubber boots or plastic slippers felt straight out of a movie, and we, like many others, de-shoed to wander about the square. Weirdly, the city’s famous landmarks seemed to float even more than they normally do!
Once the rain lightened up, we headed to St. Mark’s Basilica, one of Venice’s most iconic sites. The gold mosaics and intricate design are nothing short of spectacular. The interior is a kaleidoscope of color and history, with each detail telling the story of the city’s grandeur. We didn’t make it to the top of the Campanile (bell tower) as we’d seen so many at different cities in Italy by this point, but it’s worth mentioning that it offers panoramic views of Venice—something we’ve both done before and would recommend if you’re visiting.
It’s also worth saying that Harry’s Bar is around one side of the Piazza. It’s a famous place but seems to be trading on its name a little thee days and we’d say there are better spots – though obviously if you want to go to say you’ve been, we’re here for that. The bar has hosted Hemingway, Hepburn and numerous other celebrities and is also where the Bellini cocktail was invented.
Doge’s Palace
The Doge’s Palace is another must-see in Venice, and it’s close by. The palace’s opulent architecture, with its Gothic arches and rooms filled with Renaissance art, is a glimpse into the power and wealth of the Venetian Republic. The Bridge of Sighs, which connects the palace to the prison, is an eerie but iconic sight, steeped in history – the story goes that prisoners would sigh as they crossed it, knowing it would be the last time they saw beautiful Venice.
A Day Trip to Murano and Burano
On our second day, the weather cleared up, and we jumped on a water taxi for one of the highlights of our trip to Venice – the half day or so we spent exploring the nearby islands of Murano and Burano.
Murano is more well known and is famous for its glass-making tradition, which dates back to the 13th century. You can definitely do more “organised” trips to see glass blowing etc but actually, we simply stood outside a glass-blowing factory where we watched artisans at work, creating delicate glass sculptures and intricate glassware. The craftsmanship is obviously incredible, and it was amazing to see in person – it unless you want to have a go or something like that, doing it this way is probably ok! One point of interest is they do it in t-shirts and jeans or similar – if that glass touches them it must be incredibly painful!
After Murano, we headed to Burano, an island known for its brightly colored houses and lace-making tradition. This was by far our favourite as is was less busy and just so lovely. The colors of Burano’s houses are straight out of a postcard—everywhere you turn, you’re greeted by vibrant reds, blues, and yellows. We spent a couple of hours wandering the streets, taking photos, and enjoying the peaceful, laid-back atmosphere of the island. Burano is also known for its lace shops, and we couldn’t resist picking up a delicate piece as a souvenir – it’s a cushion case in our spare bedroom!
We also stopped for lunch – lovely seafood and a bottle of wine in front of an old church. A beautiful setting!
Exploring Venice’s Must Sees
Venice is a weird city in some respects. You hear really mixed reports from people but we’ve only ever really enjoyed it (and it doesn’t smell!). Yes, it can get busy, and that can be made worse by the windy streets, but it is also a bit like a living art gallery at times, with each corner offering something new to discover. The twisty streets actually help this, as it is quite easy to get lost (in a nice way!).
Rialto Bridge and Market
No visit to Venice would be complete without a visit to the Rialto Bridge—one of the most famous landmarks in the city. From our room at My Rialto Palace, we had pretty front-row seat to the bridge’s beauty. The Rialto Market, which is nearby, is also a must-see, especially if you’re into local food culture. The market is packed with fresh seafood, colorful fruits, and vegetables, and spices – all displayed in the bustling, narrow streets around the bridge. There is a slight smell here, as might be expected, but it does pass!
Gondola Ride
Having been to Venice before and not done it, we couldn’t leave this time without experiencing the iconic gondola ride. Despite being a bit of a touristy activity, it truly felt magical. Gliding through the smaller, quieter canals, we got to see Venice from a completely different perspective. The gondolier was friendly but not overly chatty (which would maybe have ruined it a bit for us) and he also took us out on to the grand canal, which was a special touch. We actually really, really enjoyed having a brief chat with him after the ride had finished and that experience was a real highlight for us, it is very romantic.
Full disclosure, the ride is pricey – about 80 euros for 30 mins but if you’re visiting Venice, it’s one of those experiences you just can’t miss. That price is also for the gondola – so if there are more of you it’s split across more people.
Exploring the Cannaregio and Dorsoduro Districts
After the gondola ride, we decided to venture beyond the main tourist sights and explore the quieter districts of Venice, like Cannaregio and Dorsoduro, before we got the bus out to our final hotel of the trip, near the airport.
These neighborhoods offer a more authentic, everyday Venetian experience. Wandering down the smaller streets, we discovered charming canals, quiet squares, and artisan shops selling everything from hand-blown glass to leather goods. It’s definitely worth checking out these areas.
Final Thoughts: Venice, We’ll Be Back (Again)
Our three nights in Venice were a whirlwind of history, art, and beauty. From the breathtaking St. Mark’s Basilica to the serene canals, Venice is a city that’s full of surprises at every turn. Yes, we had to contend with some rain, and yes, St. Mark’s Square was flooded—but those moments only added to the city’s unique charm. The gondola ride and the stunning views from and of the Rialto Bridge were experiences we’ll never forget.
Though our time in Venice was short, we felt like we saw the essence of the city. The mix of historical grandeur and everyday Venetian life, the art, the canals, and the incredible food made it one of the highlights of our trip. And with the relaxation of Ca Tessera Venice Airport on the last day, we had the perfect balance of excitement and peace to end our Italian adventure.
We’re already planning our return, because Venice has a way of staying with you long after you leave – and next time we’d definitely like to visit Tintoretto Scuola Grande di San Rocco, which we simply couldn’t squeeze in this time!
