Some cities don't just exist in the world. They exist in another world entirely.
Venice is one of those places. A city built on water, where the streets are rivers and the roads are made of light dancing on ancient stone. I had heard the family Zuma talking about it for years — and when Easter finally brought us here, I understood every single word.
From the moment we tumbled out at the Piazzale Roma — suitcases everywhere, hoomans completely disorientated, me absolutely thrilled — I knew this was going to be an adventure like no other. 🐾
Our first challenge? Getting to our hotel. Our solution? A speedboat taxi, of course.
It was late evening, warm and golden, and Mummy was already peeling off her jacket as we hauled our bags towards the water. I eyed the boat nervously. It bobbed. It wobbled. It looked very, very wet.
But I am Zuma. I took a deep breath, a brave stance, and a magnificent leap, landing perfectly on deck while Mummy nearly tumbled in behind me. (She's wonderfully clumsy like that. 🙈)
And then — whoooosh. We were off. Speeding through the Rio Nuovo, the ancient city blurring past us in a wash of golden light and cool evening air. I sat up tall on the back seat, nose lifted, breathing in smells unlike anything I'd ever encountered, salt and stone and centuries of stories soaked into the water.
I felt the city breathing. Old and alive and utterly magical.
Venice, I discovered, is the most dog-friendly place on earth. I was welcomed everywhere, restaurants, shops, tourist boats. I was petted so many times I genuinely worried about developing a bald patch.
By the time we reached our hotel it was dark, and the city had wrapped itself in a velvet quiet. A Venetian fish supper, a warm snuggle, and dreams of the adventures still to come.
To be continued… 🌊
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