Gutenblog Y'all

I woke up this morning feeling absolutely horrible. I told myself, if you have a fever you can stay home. No fever. So that meant off I went to hang out with twenty-four precious 9 year olds that need my attention at all times. I made it through the day and immediately came home and passed out. We never eat out on weeknights, but Jake got home and said he thought ramen would make me feel better. We headed out to our very favorite hole-in-the-wall ramen place. Sure enough, after a bowl of delicious ramen, I was feeling so much better. So there you have it, ramen, the solution to life's problems. Since I am still trying to recover from this latest germy children induced sickness, I have Margo from Gutenblog Ya'll here to give you a few tips for making the most of a day in Venice. Not only is her blog name the cutest ever, but her pictures are amazing! They look like they are straight out of a travel magazine. It really makes me want to invest in a nicer camera. Margo, take it away. 

Hi there, I'm Margo and I blog over at Gutenblog Y'all. Mackenzie is a doll and I'm happy to have sponsored her this month. 

I won't play games with you sweet Bell Bliss readers, so getting right down to business, here's all you need to know about me:

1. I called Virginia my home until August 2013 when I followed a job opportunity in beautiful little town of Heidelberg, Germany. I dragged my sweet fiancee, Dan, and our schnoodle (schnauzer-poodle) Stuart right out of Arlington to join me. We're tying in the knot in less than 2 months! (Dan and I, that is..)

2. In this order, I love: wine, running, TripAdvisor, Target and Chik Fil A.

3. I've been really lucky in that I've been able to see a lot of Europe through work and personal travel. Gutenblog Y'all is my space for sharing pictures and advice for seeing Europe. 

On the note of advice, I wanted to share my 6 tips for making the MOST of a day in Venice. Dan and I were only there for just over 24 hours but I know that we really experienced the city. My readers loved this post and I think you will too!

1. Get LOST - Inevitably, you WILL get lost. You'll look down at your map, you'll turn it 180 degrees, gaze up and down the alley or canal and you'll realize that it happened. Despite how carefully you follow your map, you're backwards. But THIS is Venice. This is the best way of seeing the city, wandering the narrow alleys with no specific purpose in mind. This is how you see the locals and most beautiful parts of the city at the same time. 

(Tip: If you'd like to pass on this magical state of disorientation, download Ulmon app for Venice.) 

Check out more pictures from my morning stroll through the city here.

2. Visit Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's Square) and St. Mark's Basilica - Yep, one of the most photographed places in Europe, visiting this beautiful square is a must. Perhaps you'll be there with a zillion others but quickly hop in line for the Basilica then gawk at the square itself after. Once in the Basilica, look UP. The golden ceilings are beautiful. 

 

3. Capture blue hour from the Rialto Bridge - Blue hour is only something I recently discovered as being VERY important in world of photography. It's that interesting period at twilight when the sun dips below the horizon and the sky turns to a lush deep blue. Positioning yourself on the Rialto Bridge at this time you'll be guaranteed lovely pictures. The Rialto Bridge is a beauty in itself and is one of just four bridges that crosses the Grand Canal. As gondoliers paddle by and the city begins to sparkle, it's the pinnacle of romantic. 

 

Well, of course I'm not going to bog Bell Bliss down with all this Venice talk. She's got beautiful pictures to show from HER travels. For the last three tips hop over to my blog at: www.gutenblogyall.com and perhaps take a peak at my visit to Burano Island- gorgeous, I tell you!