48 hours in Venice, Italy - Day 2 Itinerary

48 Hours in Venice Continued

My 48 hours in Venice, Italy continued and after another early rise, I had breakfast in the hotel and headed out to find the spot where I’d meet the guide who would take me to my pre-booked gondola ride (how very 21st century). Gondola rides are pretty expensive and so rather than pay €80 for a gondola by myself I chose to share with strangers… turned out it was just me and one couple. Not awkward at all. Still, I had the gondoliere to chat to and he was very impressed that I was travelling alone and called me ‘Scotch’ for the duration of the trip.

It was a great experience to tick off the bucket list and so funny to see a gondola traffic jam! Going down the Grand Canal was a particular highlight and I would definitely recommend it. As clichéd as it may be, I think a gondola ride is an absolute must-do when you’re visiting Venice.

Must do when in Venice! Get the lowest price on Gondola Cruises

It was a baking hot day and I wanted to chill out a bit so I sat at a cafe beside the Accademia Bridge and enjoyed a panini for lunch. I then decided I needed some gelato to cool down and headed back to Dorsoduro to hunt out the best gelato in the area. According to Google it was Gelateria il Doge and I chose their signature flavour, Crema de Doge which is a blend of orange, chocolate and cream. Delizioso!

I sat on a bench in Campo Santa Margherita and tried to eat it before it melted all over me then spent the rest of the afternoon exploring around that area and finished off in the Ca’ Rezzonico museum. My hotel was a five minute walk from the museum and I stopped to take some photos of the picturesque street on my way back.

See? Unashamedly beautiful.

I loved Campo Santa Margherita so much I went back and had dinner in a restaurant there that night, Fuori Rotta, again sitting outside in the piazza so I could people watch. I had bruchetta and gnocchi… because, Italy.

After dinner I took a long walk around Dorsoduro/Accademia and the surrounding residential streets. It was so peaceful – that’s what I loved about Venice, you could walk ten minutes away from the madness of the tourist areas and find your own little tranquil haven. There was hardly anyone about and normally I would feel on edge walking around alone in an unfamiliar area at dusk and especially in darkness but I felt completely safe. I felt truly happy and content in that moment; Venice had surpassed all of my expectations and I felt proud that my first solo trip had been a successful one.

I went to sleep for the final time in Venice knowing I would return one day (for there was so much gelato I still had to experience). The next morning I splashed out (sorry) and took a private water taxi to the airport like the #luxurybitch I am (not really, but it’s nice to pretend). It felt extremely glamorous – passing under the Rialto Bridge at 9am was a particular highlight – and was a fitting way to end my amazing 48 hours in Venice, Italy. My next solo adventure certainly had a lot to live up to…