MenuBack

VENICE, ITALY ROMANTIC TOURISM: VISIT CANALS, GONDOLAS, VENICE BIENNALE ART ATTRACTIONS. SOURPUSS RED DRESS.


VENICE, ITALY ROMANTIC TOURISM: VISIT CANALS, GONDOLAS, VENICE BIENNALE ART ATTRACTIONS. SOURPUSS RED DRESS. travel in italy, venezia, romantic vacations, trips tours in italia, venice hotels, italy sightseeing, travel guides, traveling, vacation in venice, transportation, water taxis, buses, sourpuss goth clothing, black floppy hat, top romantic world destinations, gondola, hot italian male model

Venice, Italy can be frustrating. You build up a mental picture of suave gondoliers — and get pudgy tourists and Disneyland lineups instead.

But then you duck under a stone arch, and there’s a crumbling Gothic church. Wander off on a side path, and you find a trattoria glowing with candles. The light shimmers from the water, the docked boats creak, and sigh — Venice still has its magic.

VENICE, ITALY ROMANTIC TOURISM: VISIT CANALS, GONDOLAS, VENICE BIENNALE ART ATTRACTIONS. SOURPUSS RED DRESS. travel in italy, venezia, romantic vacations, trips tours in italia, venice hotels, italy sightseeing, travel guides, traveling, vacation in venice, transportation, water taxis, buses, sourpuss goth clothing, black floppy hat, top romantic world destinations, gondola, hot italian male model

Having Casanova as your companion also helps.

La Carmina is wearing a “black heart” dress gifted from Sourpuss, and a wide-brimmed sunhat from Hong Kong.
Sebastiano is wearing a silk shirt stolen from Kira DNR’s closet.

VENICE, ITALY ROMANTIC TOURISM: VISIT CANALS, GONDOLAS, VENICE BIENNALE ART ATTRACTIONS. SOURPUSS RED DRESS. travel in italy, venezia, romantic vacations, trips tours in italia, venice hotels, italy sightseeing, travel guides, traveling, vacation in venice, transportation, water taxis, buses, sourpuss goth clothing, black floppy hat, top romantic world destinations, gondola, hot italian male model

We’re grateful to Hostelbookers for sponsoring our stay all over Italy. The hotel booking website put us in a large room full of character — we could hear the water outside our window. And the secluded location allowed us to avoid tourists the entire time. (More photos from our Hostelbookers rooms coming up.)

VENICE, ITALY ROMANTIC TOURISM: VISIT CANALS, GONDOLAS, VENICE BIENNALE ART ATTRACTIONS. SOURPUSS RED DRESS. travel in italy, venezia, romantic vacations, trips tours in italia, venice hotels, italy sightseeing, travel guides, traveling, vacation in venice, transportation, water taxis, buses, sourpuss goth clothing, black floppy hat, top romantic world destinations, gondola, hot italian male model

Our typical healthy meal: grilled fish, salad, rose wine.

VENICE, ITALY ROMANTIC TOURISM: VISIT CANALS, GONDOLAS, VENICE BIENNALE ART ATTRACTIONS. SOURPUSS RED DRESS. travel in italy, venezia, romantic vacations, trips tours in italia, venice hotels, italy sightseeing, travel guides, traveling, vacation in venice, transportation, water taxis, buses, sourpuss goth clothing, black floppy hat, top romantic world destinations, gondola, hot italian male model

Followed by an indulgence of Italian desserts. Tiramisu is a diet necessity!

VENICE, ITALY ROMANTIC TOURISM: VISIT CANALS, GONDOLAS, VENICE BIENNALE ART ATTRACTIONS. SOURPUSS RED DRESS. travel in italy, venezia, romantic vacations, trips tours in italia, venice hotels, italy sightseeing, travel guides, traveling, vacation in venice, transportation, water taxis, buses, sourpuss goth clothing, black floppy hat, top romantic world destinations, gondola, hot italian male model

The best way to know Venice is by walking wherever intuition takes you. We found an “interesting” clothing store.

La Biennale di Venezia, VENICE, ITALY ROMANTIC TOURISM: VISIT CANALS, GONDOLAS, VENICE BIENNALE ART ATTRACTIONS. SOURPUSS RED DRESS. travel in italy, venezia, romantic vacations, trips tours in italia, venice hotels, italy sightseeing, travel guides, traveling, vacation in venice, transportation, water taxis, buses, sourpuss goth clothing, black floppy hat, top romantic world destinations, gondola, hot italian male model

Art galleries abound. Seba can’t seem to process Marge Simpson as an odalisque. (It’s too bad we couldn’t attend the Venice Biennale, an impressive gathering of modern artists.

VENICE, ITALY ROMANTIC TOURISM: VISIT CANALS, GONDOLAS, VENICE BIENNALE ART ATTRACTIONS. SOURPUSS RED DRESS. travel in italy, venezia, romantic vacations, trips tours in italia, venice hotels, italy sightseeing, travel guides, traveling, vacation in venice, transportation, water taxis, buses, sourpuss goth clothing, black floppy hat, top romantic world destinations, gondola, hot italian male model

Travel tip: wear a big-brimmed hat, sunscreen, and bring along a can of mosquito spray. And dress up for Venice. The soft, flowing light is ideal for photos, and you’ve got to play along with the city’s romantic mood.

VENICE, ITALY ROMANTIC TOURISM: VISIT CANALS, GONDOLAS, VENICE BIENNALE ART ATTRACTIONS. SOURPUSS RED DRESS. travel in italy, venezia, romantic vacations, trips tours in italia, venice hotels, italy sightseeing, travel guides, traveling, vacation in venice, transportation, water taxis, buses, sourpuss goth clothing, black floppy hat, top romantic world destinations, gondola, hot italian male model

Nothing in the world compares to Venice’s canals.

VENICE, ITALY ROMANTIC TOURISM: VISIT CANALS, GONDOLAS, VENICE BIENNALE ART ATTRACTIONS. SOURPUSS RED DRESS. travel in italy, venezia, romantic vacations, trips tours in italia, venice hotels, italy sightseeing, travel guides, traveling, vacation in venice, transportation, water taxis, buses, sourpuss goth clothing, black floppy hat, top romantic world destinations, gondola, hot italian male model

When the sun sets… indescribable.

VENICE, ITALY ROMANTIC TOURISM: VISIT CANALS, GONDOLAS, VENICE BIENNALE ART ATTRACTIONS. SOURPUSS RED DRESS. travel in italy, venezia, romantic vacations, trips tours in italia, venice hotels, italy sightseeing, travel guides, traveling, vacation in venice, transportation, water taxis, buses, sourpuss goth clothing, black floppy hat, top romantic world destinations, gondola, hot italian male model

Seba felt stuffed, but still, we shared mint gelato.

VENICE, ITALY ROMANTIC TOURISM: VISIT CANALS, GONDOLAS, VENICE BIENNALE ART ATTRACTIONS. SOURPUSS RED DRESS. travel in italy, venezia, romantic vacations, trips tours in italia, venice hotels, italy sightseeing, travel guides, traveling, vacation in venice, transportation, water taxis, buses, sourpuss goth clothing, black floppy hat, top romantic world destinations, gondola, hot italian male model

Our wanderings took us to San Sebastiano church! (The “O” must be for Sebastian-ooo.)

VENICE, ITALY ROMANTIC TOURISM: VISIT CANALS, GONDOLAS, VENICE BIENNALE ART ATTRACTIONS. SOURPUSS RED DRESS. travel in italy, venezia, romantic vacations, trips tours in italia, venice hotels, italy sightseeing, travel guides, traveling, vacation in venice, transportation, water taxis, buses, sourpuss goth clothing, black floppy hat, top romantic world destinations, gondola, hot italian male model

Someone please give his butt a push.

VENICE, ITALY ROMANTIC TOURISM: VISIT CANALS, GONDOLAS, VENICE BIENNALE ART ATTRACTIONS. SOURPUSS RED DRESS. travel in italy, venezia, romantic vacations, trips tours in italia, venice hotels, italy sightseeing, travel guides, traveling, vacation in venice, transportation, water taxis, buses, sourpuss goth clothing, black floppy hat, top romantic world destinations, gondola, hot italian male model

I didn’t realize I was making the “small” hand gesture. Appropriate, for this naked statue.

VENICE, ITALY ROMANTIC TOURISM: VISIT CANALS, GONDOLAS, VENICE BIENNALE ART ATTRACTIONS. SOURPUSS RED DRESS. travel in italy, venezia, romantic vacations, trips tours in italia, venice hotels, italy sightseeing, travel guides, traveling, vacation in venice, transportation, water taxis, buses, sourpuss goth clothing, black floppy hat, top romantic world destinations, gondola, hot italian male model

Thank you, everyone, for your comments — I read and appreciate them all. Next, there’ll be coverage of Milan, Rome, Modena, and more from Florence.

Have you been to Venice, or yearn to visit? Did you feel it was a commercial trap, or did you feel the magic?

Song of the Day: Nana Kitade – Kibou no Kakera (Powerpuff Girls theme song. Pandas are involved.)

❤ Squealed at this post? Please give it a Like (below) ❤

SHARE & COMMENT

43 Comments

  1. Mandi
    Posted July 16, 2011 at 9:05 pm | Permalink

    Oh thats cool :)

  2. Antoinette
    Posted July 16, 2011 at 9:13 pm | Permalink

    Loved the pics. Now I want to go…!

  3. Anna
    Posted July 16, 2011 at 9:16 pm | Permalink

     La Carmina u look pretty in red.

  4. Silvia Je
    Posted July 16, 2011 at 9:17 pm | Permalink

    what a beautiful city!!! I hope to visit Venice one day too!!

  5. Nicky
    Posted July 16, 2011 at 9:19 pm | Permalink

    it REALLY made me smile ;)

  6. Malaysia Street Team
    Posted July 16, 2011 at 9:20 pm | Permalink

    idk if its the food or your eye makeup but i love that shot of you eating O.O LOL btw, love this post! I wish to go there one day~<3

    • Norfy
      Posted July 16, 2011 at 9:22 pm | Permalink

      LOL OMG I just abused my street team twitter -__- i hope this makes you smile LaCarmina :P

    • lacarmina
      Posted July 17, 2011 at 12:12 am | Permalink

      You are awesome ;) Thanks so much dear!

  7. Valeree
    Posted July 16, 2011 at 9:21 pm | Permalink

    ~Chief Casanova…

  8. Alyssa D Mallozzi
    Posted July 16, 2011 at 9:34 pm | Permalink

    Oh, that brought back so many memories for me! I have not been back to Italy in over 15 years and I miss it so much! I have lots of family over there, so someday I will go back to visit. I want to go during Carnevale–I have several small ceramic masks from the last time I went.
    Do watch out for the canals, though. As romantic as they can seem, some use the canals as their personal garbage disposal, which is quite sad. Venice itself, the architecture, all of it, is a work of art. When I have the means, I’m going back to visit.

  9. DNR Fanclub
    Posted July 16, 2011 at 10:37 pm | Permalink

    We envy you!! You were in a wonderful romantic city with a romantic Casanova (yeah – we mean Seba!!!!)!! Thank you for your beautiful pics and for this report!!

  10. Stacy
    Posted July 16, 2011 at 11:38 pm | Permalink

    ha ha ha very clever and sweet

  11. MegamI
    Posted July 16, 2011 at 11:39 pm | Permalink

    Beautiful! I would to go there one day too! OMG! Food! Yummy! \(^o^)/

  12. Norfy
    Posted July 17, 2011 at 12:02 am | Permalink

    definitely going one day! Can’t wait for the post about Modena v(OvO)v

  13. Nathalie
    Posted July 17, 2011 at 12:07 am | Permalink

    Holy Cow these photos are Beautiful.

  14. Jonas
    Posted July 17, 2011 at 12:14 am | Permalink

    really awesome!!! congrats u have a cool hair !!!

  15. Lana
    Posted July 17, 2011 at 12:53 am | Permalink

    :DDDDD OMG 

  16. Ivy
    Posted July 17, 2011 at 2:39 am | Permalink

    So lucky! I want to go one day and that tiramisu looked good. At the Venetian in Vegas there is a cute small shop with many masks such as that, it’s not from Italy buy they’re not all that bad. *Note for people that travel there who want it for a certain occasion.  

    • lacarmina
      Posted July 18, 2011 at 5:08 am | Permalink

      Did you know there’s a Venetian hotel in Macau too? It’s quite cool… but not quite the same as the real deal!

  17. Bell22za
    Posted July 17, 2011 at 2:59 am | Permalink

    this is one of my favourit posts.  thansk for sharing with us!

  18. Mariel
    Posted July 17, 2011 at 3:50 am | Permalink

    Italy never ceases to amaze me with its beauty! and you darling, look gorgeous… LOVE the hair ;)

  19. Jrockonhigh
    Posted July 17, 2011 at 6:08 pm | Permalink

    I haven’t been out of the country yet but if I go to Italy, I will try Tiramisu (my favorite dessert).   I like your song choice; Nana Kitade is one of my favorite artists. 

  20. Kira
    Posted July 17, 2011 at 6:14 pm | Permalink

    ahaha as my others lil brothers he stole from my closet… but it’s ok! I’m happy to watch my staff in these pics^^!!!

  21. Greta
    Posted July 17, 2011 at 6:14 pm | Permalink

    wonderful pictures! i’ve been in Venice the last year and I think it’s one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever seen! <3<3<3

  22. Stacey
    Posted July 17, 2011 at 6:28 pm | Permalink

    the photos are fantastic i especially like the give his butt a push one :3

  23. Ash
    Posted July 17, 2011 at 7:17 pm | Permalink

    Amazing, and your hair is very lOvely, as so is his.xP

  24. TesQ
    Posted July 19, 2011 at 1:13 am | Permalink

    *writing a late comment cause you always update so fast it’s hard to keep up :P*

    Your dedication to this blog albeit your crazy schedule is amazing!

    Thank you for this mini-guide to Venice, I love guides which encourage one to dress up and fit into the rich character of a place as rich as Venice instead of those which go ‘oh dress comfortably and light just wear sneakers blah blah’

    I’ve never been to Europe before, let alone Venice, but when I do go I hope I look as good as you did there ^_^

    • lacarmina
      Posted July 19, 2011 at 4:50 pm | Permalink

      It makes the difference in your experience, I think. Dressing up makes an event or place more special. However, I do recommend good shoes so that you can walk around to your heart’s content ;)

  25. lady lale
    Posted September 20, 2011 at 4:02 pm | Permalink

    I just got back from Venice & the Biennale for a study abroad trip & I miss it already. :Venice definitely still holds its magic.. you two fit right in!

    • lacarmina
      Posted September 22, 2011 at 6:25 am | Permalink

      Aww thanks!! It was one of my fav memories from Italy.

  26. latecat
    Posted August 27, 2013 at 3:46 pm | Permalink

    Hey, I just found out about this post about Venice. Yes, really late, I’m aware… :D But, is there any chance you remember if there are some stores with goth clothing around?

    • lacarmina
      Posted August 28, 2013 at 10:10 pm | Permalink

      Hi dear! Sadly there weren’t any specifically Goth shops, but there are beautiful masks and Venetian aristocrat wear that you can make into Gothic outfits! Have fun!

Post a Comment

Your email is never published nor shared. Required fields are marked with *

*
*