Venice: Epcot or Real Life?

Venice is sinking.  Estimates vary as to how long it will take before much of the city will be uninhabitable but unless an engineering miracle takes place, there is an unavoidable expiration date. We will all have to hope this occurs as it would be a shame to lose such a place.

Let's first clear the air on Venice.  Yes, it's overrun by tourists.  Yes, it sometimes feels like you are strolling through Epcot Center.  Yes, there are a bunch of crappy restaurants that take advantage of dumb tourists who desperately want to eat dinner on the Grand Canal.  But, just around the bend from all of that is a city that can take you to a very distant place.  Every guidebook advises the same thing, get lost in Venice, we did and it was absolutely worth it.

Just away from the tourist trap area, the real Venice suspended in time.

While wandering thru Venice you get the sensation that all of a sudden, the clock in Venice, decided to stand still.  Some may perceive this to be a negative, a testament to a town of trade that once thrived is now fading and sinking (figuratively and literally).  I take the other side of that argument as I view the suspension of time as a rare opportunity to feel a city as it was hundreds of years ago.  Sure, much of the canal activity is for tourist benefit but if you peel back the onion a bit you realize that an entire city ran on, and was supported by water.  It's mind blowing to really think of how much needed to happen for the island city of Venice to come together.

Grand Canal.  The expressway of Venice.

Oh, hey.  You were interested in a post card shot?  Yep, got it.

A few recommendations if you plan to go.  First, the Rick Steeve's Grand Canal tour is a must, it's brilliant as they have timed the tour so that you can sit on the Vaporetto Line 1 as they teach you about Venice on the 45 minute commute thru town.  Second, make sure to hit the Peggy Guggenheim museum.  I'm not a big art guy but to see the personal collection of such an iconic figure as Peggy Guggenheim is pretty damn cool.  It's very approachable and most definitely worth a visit.

Outside on the veranda of the Peggy Guggenheim museum.  We're so cultured.   

 Lastly, if you're looking for a place to eat you must hit up La Feluca. We ate there two nights in a row.  The food was delicious, the wine was perfectly paired.  However, the real reason we returned was the service as we were absolutely charmed by Adrian, the head waiter.  "I am at your disposition" was his go to english line.  I am a sucker for service and when combined with delicious food I am all yours.  The second dinner was even better than the first.

Oh, sorry its just me and this adorable canal.

I loved it, we loved it.  Venice didn't disappoint.  #dontletvenicesink

Oh, I almost forgot.  This also happened.