The sun was setting over the lagoon in Venice as the gold-trimmed, black gondola I was riding in glided into a darkening canal, as gently as a leaf spinning on a pond. As the gondolier guided his craft alongside candlelit waterfront restaurants and under ancient bridges, I could see the inquiring glances that came my way. She’s all alone in the City of Love – is she a rich widow? Is she an Instagrammer? Or is she some kind of weirdo? Nope, none of the above. What started as a romantic four-day stay in Venice had turned into a bit of a solo trip – unfortunate, but not tragic, and with a happy ending….
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More photos from the story Venice, The City of Love, Solo and Duo!
Venice has several floating grocery boats – artichokes are especially prized – photo Debra Smith
Zenzero Apartment, Palazzo Morosini, Venice, Italy
The Rialto Bridge is a Venetian treasure – photo Debra Smith
The palazzos are meant to be seen from the water so take a vaporetto for the best views – photo Debra Smith
The Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge are both busy places to be at sunset – photo Debra Smith
Zenzero Apartment, Palazzo Morosini, Venice, Italy
The Campanile dominates Saint Mark’s Square – photo Debra Smith
Gondola traffic jams are common on the way to the Bridge of Sighs, the last bridge in this picture – photo Debra Smith
Even solo a gondola ride is a must in Venice – photo Debra Smith
Enjoying chicchetti, inside and out at Osteria Al Pugni – photo Debra Smith
Casual bars like Basego offer chicchetti around sunset – photo Debra Smith
A view of the famous four horses and the clock tower from St Mark’s Basilica – photo Debra Smith
A few of Venice’s 400 gondolas at rest – photo Debra Smith
A Calder mobile and Magritte’s Empire of Light share the foyer at the Guggenheim – photo Debra Smith
