After the whirlwind of yesterday, we ended up sleeping for 14 hours straight! That rest was much needed. Once we finally got moving, we stopped by a cute little restaurant in the plaza near our hotel called Ozio for some cicchetti and cappuccinos. If you’re unfamiliar with cicchetti, it’s basically small bites, like bread topped with meats and cheeses or tiny sandwiches. We mostly just pointed at what looked good in the case, so I’m not even sure what all we ordered, but it made for a great brunch.

At 2:00 PM, we had a tour booked for Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica, so we headed back to St. Mark’s Square. Doge’s Palace was absolutely stunning, with so many intricately decorated rooms. We opted for a guided tour, which turned out to be a fantastic choice. Having someone explain all the history behind what we were seeing really added to the experience. I won’t bore you with all the details (and to be honest, I can’t remember them all anyway), so instead, enjoy the photos we snapped along the way!

After the palace, our group made its way over to St. Mark’s Basilica. The architecture is beyond beautiful. The floor is made of marble mosaics, and the ceiling is covered in shimmering glass mosaics.

We were even able to climb to the second story, which was historically the only section women were allowed in. From there, we had an amazing view of St. Mark’s Square, including the Santo Stefano Bell Tower and the Clock Tower. Fun fact: the clock tower, built in 1497, still works! Every hour, two statues ring the bell—the old man goes first, followed by the younger man.

After the tour, we were starving, so we set out for food. Since most of the fancier restaurants don’t open until 7:00 PM, we decided on more cicchetti and wine to tide us over. We did a little window shopping, which turned into actual shopping when Jordan ended up buying a coat. Us Floridians are blending right in with the Venetians—it’s been in the 60s, and everyone is bundled up!

My dad had asked me earlier if I’d tried any soup yet, and since I hadn’t, it was time to change that. We checked the menu at Trattoria al Gazzettino, and the deciding factor was their zuppa di pasta fagioli—and let me tell you, it was WORTH IT. That soup was incredible, easily my favorite thing I’ve eaten so far. Now I just need to check minestrone off my list—wish me luck!

As the evening got even colder, Jordan’s new jacket quickly became mine. Lesson learned: if I’m outside at night here, I definitely need a coat. Thankfully, I have a very sweet husband—love you, Jordan!

We capped off the night at a rooftop bar, sipping cocktails and watching boats pass by on the canals. Fun fact: I discovered I don’t like Aperol Spritz, but it worked out because Jordan liked mine better than his Venetian Mule, so we just swapped. On the way back to the hotel, we grabbed some gelato—because again, no night in Italy is complete without it!