Venice: A Chronicle of a Timeless Weekend

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There are cities you visit and forget, and then there’s Venice. A place that doesn’t just sit there looking pretty—it plays with you, leads you in circles (literally) through its maze-like alleys, and always, always takes you exactly where it wants.

Trust me, your step counter will confirm it: in Venice, you hit 10,000 steps before you’ve even found your first coffee. As if Google Maps itself has fallen under the Venetian spell…

I arrived for Carnevale, with a suitcase probably overpacked. And within minutes, I understood why Venice remains one of the few cities where magic still feels real. 🪄

Masks, Mystery & Gowns From Another Era

Walking through Venice during Carnevale is like stepping into an 18th-century novel where the rules are blurred, and every street corner holds a surprise. A man in a cape and tricorn hat brushes past, a masked woman locks eyes with you in silence, and suddenly, you’re torn between fascination and the overwhelming urge to slip into a period gown and disappear into a secret ball.

Because in Venice, everything is a secret. The real Carnevale parties aren’t in Piazza San Marco; they’re behind closed doors, in candlelit palazzos where guests sip prosecco to the sound of violins. And if you know the right people (or you’re just curious enough to look), you might just slip in. 🩷

Between Gondolas and Spritz: The Art of Italian Slow Living

By day, the masks are swapped for oversized sunglasses, and you float along the canals at a pace that forces you to slow down. Taking a vaporetto is like taking an Uber—except everything moves deliberately, and there’s always that moment of grace when the sun hits the water just right.

Where to Eat (and Drink) in Venice Without a Single Regret

In Venice, eating isn’t just about food—it’s an experience. Between a perfectly mixed Spritz and a plate of pasta al dente, every spot has its own little magic.

So if you want to dine like a true Venetian, here are my tried-and-obsessed-over favorites 🩷:

🍝 Rosa Rossa – If this restaurant had a loyalty card, mine would be filled twice over. Cozy atmosphere, unforgettable dishes… and a star-studded guest: Johnny Depp himself dined here multiple times during the filming of The Tourist.

So yes, it’s delicious and has a touch of Hollywood allure.

📸 Serafina – The kind of place where you order a dish and, before even tasting it, you’re already searching for the perfect lighting to post it on Instagram. Chic decor, intimate vibe… and the feeling of starring in your own impossibly stylish Italian film.

☕ Rosa Salva – My morning headquarters. Because some things in life are sacred: the first coffee of the day and a good cornetto. Here, locals and tourists blend effortlessly, standing at the bar, sipping their espresso, ready to take on the day.

🍦 Gallonetto – Just when I thought I had tasted every great gelato in Italy, boom—Gallonetto proved me wrong. Creamy, rich, and with that unmistakable I’m-coming-back-tomorrow-for-another-flavor kind of taste. And trust me, your first choice will never be your last.

🍷 Osteria del Lovo – Because a trip to Venice without cicchetti (Venetian tapas) is like a Spritz without Aperol: a mistake. Here, it’s a burst of flavors in bite-sized portions, best enjoyed with a glass of wine and a conversation that lingers long into the night.

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Shopping: Because Souvenirs Shouldn’t Be Boring

If you think you’re leaving Venice empty-handed, think again. Between handcrafted masks, rich fabrics, and hidden boutiques filled with one-of-a-kind pieces, resisting temptation is impossible. Case in point? I walked away with a coat fit for a Venetian duchess… completely ignoring the fact that my suitcase was already bursting at the seams.

The result? A scene straight out of an Italian rom-com—me, sitting on my suitcase, desperately trying to zip it shut.

Venice: The City That Stands Alone

In Venice, you feel suspended between two worlds—past and present, revelry and melancholy. Maybe that’s why people always come back. Like a love story you can’t quite shake, one where every return is just as intoxicating as the first time.

So, Venice, shall we do this again soon? 💋

XOXO,

The Gossip Insider