Buongiorno! Good morning everyone! Today, I’m excited to share my Venice travel diary! What a beautiful trip we had with a lovely tour company called, Gate 1 Travel. This was my first trip to Italy and first tour. I have to say I was very pleased with Gate 1 Travel and would be happy to travel with them again.
Venice Travel Diary
Our tour guide stayed with us the entire trip and in each city we had a local guide who took us on a tour of the best sights to see. Some of my family members that I traveled with have been to Italy at least 6-7 times, so I also felt like I was in great hands with people who knew how to get around Italy. I can see why they have been back so many times! There’s so much to see in Italy! I really can’t pick a favorite city, because each of them was so unique. The tour I took is called, 11 day affordable Italy with Sorrento. I also loved that we had at least a half a day or more to explore on our own in each city.
Getting There
Three of us flew from Miami to Rome, then on to Venice, where we met our family from New York. There were seven women in our group and thirty-nine people in total for the tour. We stayed at Hotel Bellini in Venice and within the first hour of arriving we was blessed to attend mass down the street from our hotel before we met for the welcome dinner. The entire mass was in Italian, however I was able to follow along easily and felt like is was great way to start my Italy trip. The lovely blown glass chandelier pictured above from Murano hung is hung in the lobby of our hotel.
Each morning in Venice, I enjoyed a healthy breakfast of local fruits.
This was one of my outfits I wore in Venice. It was so cold (much colder than we expected), however I was able to layer up with my trench coat and a scarf (or two).
This was one of our stops along a bridge in Venice. As you can see, I’m wearing an earpiece to hear what our tour guide is saying. I thought this was great way for all of us to stay with the guide, because it would have been easy for me to get lost in beautiful Venice. I’m also wearing one of the trench coats I packed for this trip. I linked similar styles for you below, so all you have to do is click on any of them to get the shopping details.
We toured the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica. Both were lovely sights to see. I couldn’t get over how beautiful the marbel was on the floor! It’s amazing to see, that to this day, the same designs are used.
Here I am wearing my new Tretorn sneakers in St. Mark’s Basilica. They were very comfortable!
Traveling the Grand Canal on our way to Murano to see their blown glass in person. I bought the cutest blowfish from there.
When we arrived in Murano, we were so happy to see sun was shining through the clouds!
I loved this pink building! It reminded me of my blog colors.
What I Wore In Venice
Below I linked what I wore in Venice, since many of you reached out to me about what to pack for your upcoming trips. I ended up layering, because the weather was even colder than we expected. By the Grace of God, it all worked out! I stayed warm enough and thank goodness didn’t get sick.
So there you have it! My Venice travel diary! If you have any questions please leave them below and I will answer them for you. This way everyone can benefit from this Q&A. Thank you so much for visiting me today! Have a beautiful and blessed day my friends! Arrivederci!
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever. Isaiah 40:8
I was last in Venice when I was 14 years old… Your photos make me really want to go back!
Ohh Suzie! You must go back and visit as an adult! What a beautiful experience. XO
I absolutely love all your pictures of your Italy trip. How did you go about planning your trip? My husband and I want to go but I am lost as to how to plan it.
Hi Jackie! I planned everything through Gate 1 Travel and the tour was called, 11 Day Affordable Italy with Sorrento. The agent does everything for you including flights. The flights are included in the price.
Your pictures look like they are straight out of a travel magazine. Nice
Thank you! I took all of the photos with my new iPhone X! It’s amazing!
Love Venice. Have visited twice. Staying on the island was especially nice at night when all the passengers from the cruise boats went back to the ships and the palazzo was empty but the musicians still played till the wee hours. I’ve been there in late May and in early October and both times were very, very warm.
What a blessing that you got to visit twice. I can’t wait to go back. The musicians make it so special, right? We went at a great time because it was off season and no crowds, however it was very cold. Our tour guide said it was unusally cold for this time of the year.
Venice is such a special place. Love your pictures! Looks like you had a wonderful time there!
Than you Patricia! I had such a great time! Italy is breathtaking! XO
Venice looks amazing from your pictures. I hope to get there some day. The basilica looks beautiful.
Yes, check out the tours and plan it out. You’ll be surprised how affordable they are with a tour company.
A friend of mine uses Gate 1 all the time and really likes them as a tour company. Your pictures are making me want to make a return trip to Italy!
That’s so great to hear! I really loved my first trip with them and I plan on going back with my husband and boys. It’s really the most afforable way to see a lot while you’re there.
Venice is a unique and beautiful city. I bought a vase in Murano 13 years ago and smile every time I look at it.
That’s awesome! I really wanted to buy one of those blown glass chandeliers that costs $$$$$$ but it wasn’t in the budget. I bet you are loving your sweet Murano vase. XO
Where will you tour on your next trip to Italy?!
Venice to me is like a wonderful dream come true! After several visits, every time I return, there’s something new. God is SO good! Desi, I love your work—Your refreshing words and your vibrant colorful posts bring joy to my heart every time. 🌼♥️🌼
Planning our trip and wondering how many days are enough for Venice? Will have my 13 year old daughter along with my husband and I. We are flying into Venice then making way to Florence to visit older daughter on summer session there. Fantastic pictures and wardrobe suggestions!
Lovely photos Desiree! How many days were you in Venice?
So happy you got to see St. Mark’s Basilica… that’s the biggest reason I want to visit Venice some day.