Stamps in My Passport

Greece Is More Than Just a Destination – Part VI (Final Stop: Italy)

After days of sunshine-drenched islands, cliffside meals, and mountaintop villages, our final stop swept us into a place unlike any other: Venice. A floating city of shimmering canals, whispered legends, and timeless beauty — where every narrow alley feels like a secret waiting to be discovered.

But this stop held something even more personal — a surprise that added a layer of magic I’ll never forget.

A Scavenger Hunt in the City of Dreams

The day before we arrived, my best friend had just been in Venice & stayed at the exact hotel we were in. We had missed each other by a mere 24 hours — ships literally passing in the night. But in true soulmate-friend fashion, she didn’t leave without leaving something behind.

Somewhere in our hotel, tucked away just for me, was a hidden postcard she’d left — a little scavenger hunt for my heart.

Knowing she had just walked the same streets made every step feel laced with love. I searched, giddy with excitement, through tucked-away corners and multiple floors, until I finally found it, hidden in a book. A small handwritten note, full of joy and the kind of shared magic that only best friends understand. I teared up right there in the middle of the hotel — the world paused for a moment, and all I felt was love.

Rialto Bridge — A Shopper’s Paradise

From there, we explored Rialto Bridge, one of Venice’s most iconic landmarks and a haven for beautiful things. Every shop offered something uniquely Venetian — from glass jewelry and handcrafted leather goods to hand-painted masks and delicate lace. I couldn’t help but linger, touching silks, admiring goldleaf bookmarks, and soaking in the view over the Grand Canal from the bridge’s arch.

This wasn’t just shopping — it was story-collecting.

Saint Mark’s Square — A Moment to Savor

We made our way to Piazza San Marco, where the magnificence of Saint Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace towered in golden splendor. These buildings don’t just impress — they awe. Every detail glimmers with centuries of history and power, and the square itself thrums with life: musicians playing, bells chiming, pigeons fluttering (everywhere), and travelers marveling all around.

We took a break at Caffè Aurora, nestled along the plaza. It was the perfect spot to sit, sip, and savor.

We ordered a traditional margherita pizza, a fresh caprese sandwich, caffè freddo, and fresh almond cookies that melted on the tongue. Each dish was served with silver mesh food covers — not for fancy effect, but to guard against the enthusiastic pigeons who had clearly claimed the square as their own. We laughed, we ate, and we watched the world go by.

A Venetian Feast on the Water

That evening, we were treated to one of the best meals of our entire journey — dinner at Ristorante Riviera, a picturesque waterfront restaurant with views that shimmered as day turned to dusk.

My husband ordered a seafood pasta recommended by the owner himself, and it was nothing short of a revelation. Paired with the perfect red wine, the flavors danced on his palate — rich, delicate, and full of the sea’s soul. My meal was equally unforgettable, and the setting sun cast a soft golden glow over the canal as gondolas glided past.

We toasted to Venice. To us. To a journey that had changed us.

Venice — The Final Chapter, But Not the End

Venice wasn’t just the end of our Mediterranean cruise — it was a climactic crescendo, a final flourish that lingered like the last note of a favorite song.

It reminded me that travel isn’t just about new places — it’s about the connections we bring with us, and the ones we find when we least expect it. Whether it’s a postcard from your best friend, a perfect wine pairing, or a hidden alley where you stumble upon a moment that takes your breath away — Venice gives you stories.

And like all of Greece — and this entire journey — it gave me more than memories.

It gave me wonder.

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Until the next journey,

With love, postcards, and pasta,

Krista

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