Have Bag, Will Travel: Venice

Venice. I have loved Venice from afar for many years now. I like to compare my love for the city to all the star-crossed lovers from literature: Romeo and Juliet, Tristan and Isolde, Heathcliff and Catherine. It's inexplicable my love this city, especially the love I had for it before even visiting.

My friend and I did a tour of Italy, and I had to push a little to get her to want to go to Venice. Everyone always says you either love it or you hate it, and I've loved Venice since I was young after reading many a stories and watching many movies set there.

Upon arriving my love only grew. The city is unlike any other. The canals are a sea-foam green, and there's an air of ancient mystery and secrets that surrounds the narrow passageways. I didn't do too much in Venice expect wander. I explored all the side alleys to get away from the crowds. That is the only downside to the city. During tourist season, the narrow alleyways aren't exactly conducive to the amount of people there.

But in hindsight it was the best thing to happen. I explored the old Jewish district, shopped for Venetian glass and masks, visited a famous bookstore, took a mini gondola ride and drank an Aperol spritz at dusk while dipping my aching feet in a canal.

Many complain about Venice being dirty and overcrowded and that might be the case if you stay the path. I recommend getting lost and not worrying about finding your way back to your hotel. If you get to explore the lesser known places, the places the locals like, you'll get a better feel for the city.

And you'll want to love Venice. It's a city shrouded in mystery and secrets, of frivolity and culture. It's timeless. Also factor in that it's sinking, and you might want to go ahead and book a plane ticket soon.