Venice has always felt like one of those places that lives more in imagination than in reality. A city built on water, with no roads, no cars, and centuries of history rising straight out of the canals—it’s romanticized, photographed, and talked about endlessly. And yet, nothing quite prepares you for what it feels like to actually be there. Our family trip through Italy had already been filled with unforgettable moments, but Venice was the destination I had been quietly saving space for—the grand finale. We only had 48 hours, which felt wildly insufficient for a city this layered, but also just enough time to fall completely under its spell. Venice isn’t a place you “do” quickly; it’s a place you wander, observe, and let wash over you. What we didn’t know at the time was that we’d be entering Venice in the most unforgettable way possible—not by train or car, but by water, just as travelers once did centuries ago. Those final two days would become some of the most magical of our entire trip, filled with early mornings, quiet canals, bustling afternoons, endless bridges, and the kind of beauty that stays with you long after you leave.
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