Italy 2025 - Day 7: Venice - Anya and Carthan

Anya and Carthan:

After our first night staying with the students from Valdobbiadene, we enjoyed separate mornings and breakfasts with each of our host families before meeting at the Montebelluna train station. We changed trains in Treviso to reach our final destination of Venice.

The group and our Italian friends on the regional commuter train to Venice.

The rainy approach by train across the lagoon to Venice.

We walked the streets with our umbrellas and saw many bridges and colorful buildings.

The group and our Italian friends navigate the labyrinthian Venetian streets.

The group and our Italian friends visit Venice’s Jewish Quarter.

The group reaches the Rialto Bridge.

While there, we visited the Piazza San Marco, characterized by the Venetian lion emblem, as well as the various cultural influences on its architecture.

The group and our Italian friends gather together in St. Mark’s Square.

The group and our Italian friends explore the interior of St. Mark’s Basilica.

We also rode gondolas across the Grand Canal, shopped along the water, and bonded with our Italian friends.

The group rides gondolas with our Italian friends across the Grand Canal.

Then, we returned to Valdobbiadene in the evening, separating our different ways. I (Anya) spent the rest of the night with Illaria and her family, sharing a home-cooked meal, exploring the local temple, and trying new gelato flavors. I (Carthan) ate dinner with Frederico, Christian, and Brynn at Castel Brando, a beautifully-lit castle overlooking Cison di Valmarino. I indulged in “loaded” pizza with prosciutto, mozzarella, goat cheese, and salami, then finished off the night spending time with Frederico’s family and chocolate gelato. Today was such a special day!

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