My two younger sisters and I arrived in Venice early Sunday morning, greeted by a fierce storm. As the water bus navigated to our stop at Fondamente Nuove, rain lashed the boat, drenching everything. Disembarking, we took shelter, struggling to find our hotel in the downpour with our luggage in tow. The rain intensified as we quickly became soaked in the labyrinth of stairway bridges and narrow streets in just our summer clothes and sandals. Fortunately, a helpful English-speaking Venetian also seeking shelter pointed us in the right direction, and once the rain eased slightly, we dashed to our hotel.

Once dried and changed, we borrowed an umbrella from the hotel and explored Venice’s unique narrow, winding streets and canals landscape. The city’s quaint buildings and history were captivating, particularly the houses with doorways leading directly into the water.

After wandering until we were soaked again, we returned to the hotel for a nap before braving the rain again for a cozy dinner at a small pizzeria. Getting lost on the way back in the dark and rain was a nerve-wracking adventure, especially as we narrowly avoided walking into a canal several times.

The next day brought intermittent rain, but we spent it exploring Venice’s bridges, narrow alleys, and the charm of its water taxis and gondolas. We visited the Vivaldi museum and took a water taxi to the island of Lido for lunch, enjoying gelato and the serene atmosphere.

Sadly, the rain cleared just as my sisters were preparing to leave on Tuesday afternoon. We managed a few sunny hours of photography and exploration before their departure. Alone, I spent the next two days immersing myself in Venice—reading in cafes, enjoying local wine and beer, and reveling in the sunshine. The highlight of my solo adventure was purchasing some exquisite Italian leather handbags; the quality and price were irresistible.

On Thursday evening, after a final sunny day soaking in the beauty of Venice, I bid the city farewell, took a water taxi to the train station, and boarded a first-class train back to San Felice sul Panaro. Venice, with its unparalleled beauty and unique character, was truly an unforgettable experience.