Giorno quattro
After Venice, breathing room and time to decompress is a must. After some reading, I determined that journeying down the coast an hour to the island town of Chioggia was the next stop on the road trip. Chioggia is a FIND! After reading so many lovely reviews, I decided to stay for two days and two nights and enjoy this beautiful beach town which is - Venice without the crowds!
I chose a beautiful boutique hotel right on the water (impossible to get at a reasonable price in Venice) Hotel Grande Italia . The hotel was originally built in 1914, and the renovations are ultra modern without surrendering the essence of the original architectural merit. This updated early 20th century, hotel has the layout and materials palette of a grand Italian villa with the clean lines and modern Italian deign I prefer for a comfortable and luxurious stay. The room replete with fitted furniture designed to belong to the architecture with the function of optimizing the spaces and creating storage both in the living/sleeping area and the entryway. I was so pleased with my choice!
The town had the perfect cadence. Touristy yes, but it wasn’t so packed to the gills. The locals were all SUPER friendly and helpful from the parking garage attendant to the random lady who helped me find the post office to send off postcards. Yes! I still do that very old school touristy thing!
There was a lot to discover in Chioggia but renting bicycles to tour all around the town was hours of fun! I love riding bikes in a new place. Chioggia is such a bike friendly town and riding along the bike paths to the beach which was SUPER Italian and crowded but very enjoyable and then out to the peer for drinks and snacks and then down to the grocery store and then to the pizza place for an early dinner was super safe and enjoyable!
The other highlight was Chioggia by night! The canal bridges are lit up with little phrases like ‘Duri i Banchi’, ‘Don't give up!’, a slow stroll along the lively main street was equally well paced. Locals sat out having gelato, or glasses of Campari and little plates of salty snacks - aperitivo long into the evening. The sights and sounds weren’t overwhelming and were super well preserved. Old churches, the towns historical government buildings, a manicured garden, bikes wizzing along - it was all so relaxing and of course fantastic for people watching!
Chioggia is a gem! I can’t quite decide if I should return each year and make it my annual holiday spot now that I live in Zurich but I’m inclined!
I can’t recommend ‘Chioggia enough - truly a hidden gem!
Don’t forget to leave a comment and suggestion in the comment box below! More to come. Avanti!