Venice

Nothing is more romantic than a gondola ride, red wine, Italian cuisine, and beautiful city on water to gaze at while enjoying the three. I’d always heard wonderful things about Italy’s ancient beauty, but not until reading the book Perfume by Patrick Suskind did I really yearn to see it for myself. Dated in the eighteenth century, Perfume covers the lifespan of an orphan who grows up to be a talented, but deadly perfume maker. Though it begins in France, the main character does his apprenticeship in Italy in a shop set up on a busy river and frequented by rich Italian men. I loved how it described the way Venice was set up and would love to read the book again while staying in Venice.

The main form of transportation in Venice is gondolas. Steered and pushed forward using long oars by (sometimes singing) gondola drivers (who are usually wearing the traditional striped white and black shirts with red berets) down the canals that run through Venice. Friends of my parents honeymooned in Venice a few years ago, and reported that it would have not been a full Italian experience without the gondola ride.

Venice is also famous for its shopping. American women go nuts over Italian leather stilettos and handbags! Even if fashion isn’t your thing, small shops line the streets of Venice offering tourists unique gifts to bring home to their loved ones.

I would also have to see St. Mark’s square, which has one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world. My mother loves taking photos of churches on road trips she and my step father take together, so I would absolutely have to get a picture of it for her collection. Also, there is an enormous bell tower, and I think it would be fabulous to have lunch in the square while enjoying the bell’s chimes.

A trip to Venice would also not be complete without seeing some art. There are many galleries in Venice that display glorious local and contemporary art. Near these galleries are authentic (of course) Italian restaurants near the canals. The perfect Venetian date to me would be strolling arm and arm through an art gallery, eating delicious (REAL) Italian food, and going on a romantic gondola ride.