The city of Venice is an almost magical maze of waterways, historical sites, and churches, all populated by tens of thousands of tourists as well as its citizens. While that may seem a bit contradictory in tone, the tourists almost help the trip feel more impactful. There are hundreds of locally owned shops, leather makers, glassblowers, and artisans whose work feels more alive because of the energy that the other tourists bring to Venice. Normally, I’d be remiss to say that tourists make a place better—especially being one myself—but in Venice, it somehow feels true.
To move on, however, the tourism isn’t what makes this place magical—it’s the reasons why they’re all coming. The beautiful, winding canals and sun-drenched, centuries-old buildings embody Mediterranean customs and culture in a way that feels both timeless and cinematic. Venice is home to landmarks like St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore, all of which seem pulled from a painting.
I had the wonderful opportunity to visit the tomb of Saint Mark inside his namesake basilica, along with a few classmates, and the experience was surreal. The interior of the church was filled top to bottom with mosaics and gold, telling stories from both scripture and history. It held relics dating back thousands of years—pieces of the past carefully preserved and displayed. Being there made me feel part of something larger than myself, and I wish I could experience it all again. Venice, in every sense, felt alive.