Venice exist only on its own terms, and does not care to compromise.
It is a city full of surprises tucked away in narrow alleys and seemingly dead ends. It is a incomprehensible maze between ancient looming structures crisscrossed with canals. A glimpse of something green behind a closed gate might indicate a very rare garden, usually in front of a palace. In the plazas you are blessed with a momentary reveal of the sky.
And, underneath all these buildings, are only wooden pilons driven into the ocean sand, and water. On top of this is built a place of wonder that would not even nature claim it.
It is pure joy to simply give yourself over to it and get lost in the magic.
First random stop for a glass of wine. A delightfully no-frills (ancient) little pizza place.
Another stop for wine. The place was so tiny you could barely get 6 people in the whole wine bar.
As Pieter yet again randomly turned into another dark and barely lit alley:
Kenn: “We are going to die!”
Pieter: “Seriously, have I ever gotten you killed?”
Gondolas in front of the Rialto bridge.
We took to heart the ‘rule’ that states: for the best meal, get away from the tourist areas and and find a place where the locals eat.
The food and service was fantastic and personal.
