Rooftop Terraces & Gondolas in Venice
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September 27, 2017
I have a confession to make: I’m not usually a guided tour person. I am totally a free spirit, I love doing things on my own time, and I enjoy exploring and discovering things in the places I visit. I always thought of tours as something super touristy and boring. But after going on my first guided city tour in Venice, I have to say that I am a total convert. While it was a private, personal tour as opposed to a group, I was very surprised by how much I liked the experience. I felt like I learned so much I never would have if I had not done the guided tour.
I booked my tour through Livitaly (the tour was comped, I was not required to write about my experience; I just enjoyed it so much that I had to!) and was assigned Marie for the day. We were a little late to the tour due to some confusion and getting lost (oops!), but Marie was super nice and flexible. She was available on Whatsapp and told me exactly where to go and came and met us right at the boat stop. Although Marie is not a native to the area, she was extremely knowledgeable in the history of Venice, as well as lots of cool pop culture facts. We talked about lots of things and the tour was completely catered to us.
Marie gave us tons of suggestions and even kept in touch after the tour. How sweet of her! Although it wasn’t part of the tour itself, Marie told us about a free rooftop terrace on the top of a department store, Fondaco dei Tedeschi. It has 360 views, so we knew we had to check it out. From the terrace, you can see “Support,” a very special art installation by Lorenzo Quinn. Large hands are affixed to buildings as if they are holding up the sinking city. It’s very cool to see in person. And an added bonus is that the entire department store below the terrace gives non-EU shoppers tax back forms to turn in at the airport. Hello new Gucci bag!
{dress c/o // earrings c/o Mignonne Gavigan // bag by Rebecca Minkoff }
What was part of the tour was a gondola ride. I mean, you can’t come to Venice and not ride a gondola, right?! This was what I was looking most forward to for the entire trip. It was so incredibly charming and relaxing to ride through the canals and listen to the gondoliers sing. Marie told us that the gondoliers here are very wealthy and completely rule the canals. They have the right of way everywhere and don’t have to obey the laws of the canals, like one-way canals. Who would have guessed?!
I can’t recommend the tour we did enough. It was such a perfect way to kick off our visit in Venice! If you’re heading to Venice, be sure to check out Livitaly and use code lushtoblush for 10% off! Next up, Croatia.
Rachel
September 26, 2017 @ 3:07 pm
Just walking around the streets of Venice was such a cool experience. One of my favorite things was taking a boat over to Burano. I fell in love! I wish we could’ve spent more time there.
Megan
September 26, 2017 @ 5:13 pm
I seriously fell in love with the city too!! It was incredible! <3
Helena Marz
September 26, 2017 @ 6:59 pm
I loved Venice! It was so beautiful and I actually enjoyed the gondola ride! I definitely need to go back to Italy since it’s been ages for me! Your photos are so breathtaking❤️
Megan
September 27, 2017 @ 2:58 pm
I really enjoyed the ride too!! So peaceful and beautiful! Thanks so much, lady! <3
Kileen
September 26, 2017 @ 10:09 pm
That dress is gorgeous and you look beautiful! Need to visit Venice!
Kileen
cute & little
Megan
September 27, 2017 @ 2:57 pm
Thank you so much!! Yesss, it’s amazing!
Erica R Valentin
September 27, 2017 @ 7:37 am
Ummmmmm so jealous!!!!!!!!!!! I hope I make it to Italy someday……looks amazing!
Erica Valentin
http://www.EricaValentin.com
Megan
September 27, 2017 @ 2:57 pm
LOVE Italy!! I hope you get to make it over there asap! <3
Nataly
September 27, 2017 @ 7:40 am
That dress is so pretty on you! Looks like a beautiful place. Would love to visit one day!
Megan
September 27, 2017 @ 2:57 pm
Thank you! It really was so beautiful!
KatWalkSF
September 27, 2017 @ 11:16 am
What a magical experience! Dying to go there!
Megan
September 27, 2017 @ 2:56 pm
It was sooo beautiful! I loved learning about all the interesting history there too!
kathryn
September 27, 2017 @ 12:13 pm
Stunning! Talk about a dream trip!!! How fun!!!
Megan
September 27, 2017 @ 2:55 pm
It was incredible!! Venice is seriously gorg!
Kay
September 27, 2017 @ 4:25 pm
Your pictures are gorgeous, and so is your outfit!
Megan
September 27, 2017 @ 4:32 pm
Thanks so much, Kay! 🙂
rachel
September 27, 2017 @ 4:37 pm
You looked like you had so much fun! I only spent a day in Venice but its such a pretty place
Megan
September 28, 2017 @ 1:41 pm
I really did! It was so beautiful!
Felicia Broccolo
September 27, 2017 @ 4:37 pm
I have been to Venice, but my pictures didn’t look nearly as good as yours! haha so gorgeous!! Now I want to go back!
Megan
September 28, 2017 @ 1:41 pm
Lol! Aww, thank you so much! I’d love to go back too <3
Laura
September 27, 2017 @ 4:52 pm
I loved Venice, though I didn’t love the crowds. Were there a lot of tourists when you went?
Elle
September 27, 2017 @ 5:04 pm
Sounds like a great trip to Venice. I’d have to agree that you need to go on at least one gondola ride when you’re there! And I love your dress btw 🙂
Megan
September 28, 2017 @ 1:40 pm
It was! Omg, a must for sure. Thanks, lady <3
jin
September 27, 2017 @ 5:07 pm
I absolutely loved Venice! Everything about it is so Old World and European delicious – like stepping back in time! Also love your dress – it fits the Venice travels perfectly!
Megan
September 28, 2017 @ 1:40 pm
Yes! Perfect description! Thank you 🙂
Kristi
September 27, 2017 @ 7:03 pm
What a beautiful backdrop to your pictures. I’ve been to Italy twice, but have yet to get to Venice. I’m hoping it won’t be too much longer until I can take a gondola ride on it’s lovely canals!
Megan
September 28, 2017 @ 1:40 pm
It was gorgeous!! I really loved Venice 🙂
Stefanie
September 27, 2017 @ 10:55 pm
First of all, I LOVE your dress! Also, I’m like you in that I normally like to just wander and do my own thing. But in the last few years I’ve realized that I learn so much more about a place by taking advantage of a local guide! Absolutely gorgeous pictures, btw! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Megan
September 28, 2017 @ 1:39 pm
Thank you so much, Stefanie! I will totally be doing the guided tours more frequently now 🙂
Gita
September 28, 2017 @ 11:57 am
Venice is one of my favorite place in Italy. I just love the feel of the city. – Gita
Megan
September 28, 2017 @ 1:38 pm
Agreed! We had an amazing time!
Lucy
September 28, 2017 @ 12:50 pm
Your tour sounds great, I like guided tours as you find out so much more information than you would if you went on your own. I have been to Venice quite a few times, but I did not know about the rooftop terrace on the top of a department store, Fondaco dei Tedeschi, will have to go there next time!
Megan
September 28, 2017 @ 1:38 pm
Yes! I’m totally going to be doing them more often now to get a better feel for whatever city I’m in.
Jas
September 28, 2017 @ 10:11 pm
Marie sounds like an amazing guide! I’ve been dying to visit Venice and i keep hearing that most people who go don’t really enjoy it. It’s expensive and overall just too crowded/touristy. Your photos are stunning tho and I’m definitely still enticed to visit and see this beautiful city myself.
Megan
September 29, 2017 @ 5:55 am
She was so awesome!! I really loved it! The history was amazing and the whole city was just beautiful.
Tayo
September 29, 2017 @ 9:32 pm
Venice looks divine! And a must! I’m a bit like you and was very anti tours but going on my first one solo next weekend to see how goes. Eek!
Megan
October 2, 2017 @ 6:03 pm
It was amazing!! Let me know how it goes 🙂