Those Who Wander Magazine April 2016 | Page 40

VENICE FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS Think Venice is only for couples on romantic vacations? I dare you to think again. Venice seems to be a hit or a miss with most people. A lot of visitors downplay this infamous city, claiming it?s too touristic, too expensive, or even too fake. I disagree. In fact, in 27 countries visited, Venice is my favourite city. I fell in love with the city of canals during my first visit in 2013, enough so that I made sure to stop by again in 2014. I loved everything about it, I was never bored, and I was totally comfortable being there solo. It?s actually one of my favourite places to recommend to other solo travellers. Here?s why. THELOCALSAREAMAZING Th e kindness that the locals have always shown me blows me away, especially since Venice is such a touristic city. My first visit I expected to be snubbed; to be seen as just another North American visitor infiltrating their city. I was so wrong. I got off to a bit of a rocky start when I took the wrong vaporetto to my B&B, and when we arrived back at Piazale Rome the young man driving noticed that, over an hour later, I was still on board. Not only did he help me figure out where I was going, but he actually walked me to the correct vaporetto, worried I would be confused since things were under construction. Local vendors were kind as well, posing for my photos, helping me with directions, suggesting places I could find the things I was looking for and circling them on my map. At restaurants, the wait staff usually felt bad for me, the single girl eating alone, and I would frequently get a little something; a second glass of wine or even a special treat from the kitchen of which they had ?extra?. The owners of the hotels I?ve stayed at have been equally incredible too, keeping an eye out for me and always ready to help with any questions. Even checking to make sure I was ok after getting food poisoning in Verona, something I would never have expected a busy hotel to follow up on. And when it came time to leave, both locations I stayed at