Driven to the lagoons in search of safety, the early settlers paved the way for the charming mystery of Venezia. Pulling logs from the foothills of the Dolomites, the early Venetians “planted” logs into the clay and filled the gaps with any materials possible. On top of these logs, a foundation of Istrian stone built the solid surface of the channels and waterways that link the city’s neighborhoods and other islands.
Although the city reflects another time in history, it is ever a cosmopolitan city with centuries-old architecture and engineering juxtaposed against modern European cuisine and retail. Over 350 bridges link walkways, residences, and businesses into the unique destination.
My discovery of Venice began in the only way I’d ever recommend arrival: by motoscofi. These motorized runabout boats are the epitome of small boat elegance, with leather tufted seats and varnished wood details. After landing at Marco Polo airport, I followed the hallways and people movers to the platform at water level. I held tightly to the top of my woven hat and felt the ribbon trim flittering in the wind. In rhythmic succession, these water taxis entered and exited the floating docks transporting tourists from the airport to the city center.
My taxi driver arrived at my designated platform in the boat number I’d been given from the reservation. He politely took my luggage and helped me into the boat. I took my place in the stern while the driver took the wheel and glided backward, exiting the stall. Moving like a satin ribbon, he whipped around, and off we went. The entire ride into Venice, I felt like a main character in a movie scene. I glanced back as the airport faded in the sea spray and wondered, “Is this real life?”
I opened my eyes wide, determined to take in every detail: the little Italian flag that snapped vigorously on the deck. The linens and Wayfarers of my handsome driver. The green of the waterways. The birds perched on the pilings. The old boats carrying new Amazon packages. And then as we approached the Grand Canal, my eyes couldn’t keep up and my senses were on overdrive.
The city’s waterscape provides dreamlike visual candy. If you’ve ever had dreams where two realities coexist, but don’t quite make sense together – this is what it feels like to sail into Venice. Architectural design elements ice each building in fascinating detail. Historical facades are painted in the colors of a watercolorist’s palette. All of it was cinematic.
I hopped off the boat just a couple of cobblestone path turns from our charming boutique hotel, which still uses keys for entry. And this was just the beginning.
Not long after my arrival, I joined the rest of our group led by Gulf Breeze resident and native Italian, Laura Bernardi Piovesana. Laura moved to the United States from her home country of Italy with her husband, Giovanni, for him to complete a general surgery residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch, in Galveston. He completed a fellowship at the University of Florida, Shands Hospital. After fellowship, they moved to Albany, Georgia where he worked as a cardiac surgeon.
While the couple was in the Houston area, Laura began demonstrating her love and technique for Italian cooking for newfound friends. Of no surprise to anyone who knows her, Laura’s dynamic personality combined with her passion for food was the catalyst for growing her new business: the Italian Wooden Spoon.
Soon she began offering demonstrations and classes in partnership with a kitchen store. After medical training, the couple moved to Albany, Georgia and it wasn’t long before Laura replicated her success as a culinary dynamo. The community’s appreciation for her was evident when I joined the rest of the group on our Italian tour and discovered the majority of the other passengers were from Albany.
But after five years in Georgia, the coast was calling and the Piovesanas moved with their two children to Gulf Breeze. A job opportunity for the doctor brought the family to the area and soon Laura was cooking up her magic. I met Laura at a private cooking demonstration and was captivated by her personality most of all. Her food was delicious and her simple and clear method of teaching was empowering for this home cook.
Fast forward a year and I was standing in her home country with a group of her friends and fellow foodies taking in every morsel of Italian goodness. After years of acting as a resource for Italian travel advice, Laura decided to infuse her love of all things Italian into a curated travel experience. Before Laura entered the food scene, she worked as a marketing manager in Milan for Warner Brothers and Walt Disney, the pinnacle of guest service and hospitality.
But her first classroom was in her mother’s and grandmother’s kitchens in the picturesque town of Conegliano, just north of Venice. We were fortunate that a part of Laura’s travel itinerary included a personalized visit to her family’s farm and country house to experience Italian hospitality and learn pasta-making. Conegliano is in the heart of the Prosecco Hills region, akin to an American Napa Valley.
After several days touring Venice, riding in gondolas, and seeing glassblowing in Murano, our group ventured to this region for an authentic immersion into a slower pace of Italian life. We toured vineyards and bonded over a shared love of food, wine, and friendship. In every direction, the horizon gifted storybook views and painter’s skies. We learned about grapes and history and an enviable way of life.
By the time our trip ended, I couldn’t even process all the wonderful things we’d just experienced but felt incredibly lucky to see this beautiful country in the most authentic way possible: with a friend who was simply sharing her home.
If you love food, Italian culture, traveling, and good people, go to Instagram and Facebook and follow Laura at The Italian Wooden Spoon. She is available for private culinary experiences and now… tailor-made travel. And if you’re as lucky as I have been, you’ll make a phenomenal new friend.
