Venice, Italy

My dreams finally came true as I was welcomed with arms wide open to Italy.

We woke up bright and early the next morning as we prepared to head to Venice. I was beyond excited because going to Italy has been at the top of my bucket list for years now. I have always imagined myself on the Mediterranean coast eating pizza and getting lost in some of the world's most amazing art. I wanted to lose myself in the streets of Venice and stuff myself silly in the restaurants of Rome. I couldn't have been more excited for our stop in Italy. I couldn't wait to enjoy the drive, in the front seat, hand in hand with my main squeeze and enjoy the last bits of Switzerland before I took my first Italian breath. In my mind it was going to be incredible. 

My happy girl during the 8 hour car ride

In reality, Ellie woke up during the transfer from the hotel to the car and spent the entire eight hours wide awake. I don't think there is anything more disappointing than expecting a child to sleep and never achieving the sweetness of baby slumber. I was stuck in the backseat the entire ride singing stories of princesses and playing Jake and the Neverland Pirates. It was exhausting. Of course, we had to make a few stops because she had to go potty and then when we finally found a potty (which isn't as easy as you might think in Europe) she didn't have to go anymore or she just couldn't go. It was also quite frustrating. The stops were breathtaking though, one being near a huge lake in a small Swiss town and the other being deep in a swiss valley surrounded by all encompassing mountains.  We stopped for a bit and played princesses on the playground hoping that she would tire out or use the bathroom. It was a very stressful eight hours and probably the worst, yet most beautiful drive of them all.

We arrived in Italy and although it reminded me a little of a nicer more green mexico, I was in love. It was humid as heck and I didn't mind one bit. I loved the sun and the canals and the architecture and the language and the people. Italy and I were made for each other. 

Our train ride to Venice

Daddy enjoying his cuddles

The day was ridiculously stressful, an eight hour drive followed by an hour wait at the train station (we missed our train) and then a mistake in buying sparkling water instead of still for a very parched husband, made for a few scuttles and bumps in the road, but we finally made it to Venice and I was wrapped in the beauty of the city. Leon thought that the city just looked old, but I considered it charming and wonderful.

Bonjourno Venezia!!

The canals were amazing. Lifting the stroller over each bridge, not so amazing.

Ah, Venice

I could not stop taking pictures

Here I am!! In the shade!! With the nuns.

This is his "Where is the stupid restaurant face"

The streets were filled with markets and vendors selling their treasures. I was surprised with how cheap it was. Well, considering we just came from Switzerland it seemed cheap. We headed straight to the grocery store to pick up some water because we knew that hydration is key to a successful day out with littles. I couldn't read the labels and accidentally bought some sparkling water. It was an utter fail. Then we went to find a restaurant that was recommended by the lady who helped us check in at our hotel. We walked around in the heat for over an hour trying to find this place. We found ourselves lost in the streets of Venice thirsty, hungry, and hot. Another utter fail. So, when we fail we just stop for gelatto.

Oh, the gelatto. The gelatto fixed everything, every little annoyance I was feeling in Italy was cured by my coconut gelatto. Jet was hilarious about my gelatto. The baby was seriously offended if the ice cream was not in his mouth at all times. He threw an epic fit if someone was not sharing with him. He must have just been so hot and miserable. At least he enjoyed the ice cream.

Happy baby

Gelatto mustache

Leon is loving it lol

We finally settled on a spot for lunch. It was nothing special, just a little pizza and pasta place far enough away from St Mark's square that I felt a little less touristy. I was so excited to taste my first Italian pizza I could have burst. And it did not disappoint. It was pure sasaugey, mushroomy, cheesy deliciousness. I enjoyed every single bite. We also ordered some spaghetti for the kids that was to die for. It might have been so good because I was just so hungry. Ellie also loved the spaghetti. She stripped down to keep clean and went to town. She used her fingers, her fork, and basically just inhaled the stuff. She even taught Jet how to eat pasta the Ellie way. He loved it.  

Yum.

After lunch/dinner we enjoyed more gelatto. We just loved on the gelatto all day. We both agreed by the time we left that we were gelattoed out. We explored hidden streets and fawned over charming canals. I explained to Ellie that the people of Venice used boats instead of cars. She thought that was very silly. For most of our day we were the only people on the little hidden streets and squares where we were exploring. Ellie had a blast running and climbing all over the city. I had a blast watching her. 

We even found ourselves in a grocery store (for more water) that sold inflatable dolphins. We obviously had to buy her one. She named it Goldie and walked around with it all day.

Oh its just Goldie

my own little square

Ellie and Daddy

The sweetest kiss

Just try to tell me this isn't to die for

After wondering around in the outskirts of the city, we finally decided to make our way to St Mark's square. We basically just followed the random people we found and made our way to the kind of overrated square. The basilica was an amazing byzantine style structure that stole the show. Unfortunately, it was closed so we could not make our way inside. We settled for feeding the pigeons and fighting off the solicitors.

I was shocked at how ruthless the street vendors were. A man literally grabbed Ellie's hand and put rice in it to feed the pigeons and then asked me for money. Lets just say he didn't get a penny. And I was fuming at his audacity to even touch my daughter without permission. These men were completely inappropriate. One handed my a rose and would not take it back. Leon had to just drop it and walk off. But other than that the ambiance of the square was so fun. Tourists filled the square and Italian street performers were everywhere. It was hard not to smile at the scene. We took a break near the water and the gondolas to just talk and rest our feet. The sun was setting and it was a beautiful sight.

The over priced gondolas

resting near the water

St Mark's Basilica

Feeding the Pigeons 

After fighting off street vendors, we exhausted our time in the square and made our way to Rialto Bridge. Apparently this is foodie heaven, but I think we missed out on all the fresh food. The bakery sure caught Ellie's eye though. It was full of Italian pastries and PINK doughnuts. Ellie just loves everything pink. She found lots of glass figurines she really liked too. I guess anything pink and sparkly catches that girls eye. It was so entertaining to walk through shops and see all the treasures of Venice. And the Italian food was tempting me at every corner.

Rialto Bridge

We decided to forego a gondola ride because it was too darn expensive, so we just took the water bus around the city. We snatched excellent seats in the back right as the sunlight was disappearing. It was quite romantic. There isn't any romantic fire that two littles can't seem to blow out. But I wouldn't trade having them there for the world. Ellie and Jet were so excited to be on a boat and I was grateful to get a second to rest my feet. Not to mention the views were cinematic. Restaurants were lit by gas lamps, lovers were cuddling on the waterfront, and the old romantic architecture was stealing my heart at every turn.

We ended the night rushing to catch the last train back to our hotel. We had no idea where we were going and we knew we were cutting it close. My clothes were sticking to my body and all four of us were covered in sweat. I was out of breath and my arms were shaking from the constant stroller lifting to cross the hundreds of bridges we crossed that day. We missed dinner and another opportunity for Italian pizza. We were all starving. But I went to Italy. I went to Italy with the loves of my life and I loved it. Every second.  

Leon and I on Rialto Bridge