Taking my parents to

Taking my parents to Venice fulfilled their dream of a city with water. Some say Venice is a sinking city. So, while my parents are still able to walk, still willing to take photos and smile like young people, we should take them there. On the first evening, the dusk light cast a shadow on the cobblestones of Piazza San Marco. We ordered two coffees and listened to a live band in the square, while pigeons flitted around our feet. My parents didn't look down at their phones; instead, they simply gazed at the golden light before them and quietly said, "How beautiful!" We didn't rush to check in or visit tourist attractions, but instead chose a pace that suited our elders: We rode a canal boat to see Venice reflected in the water. We walked into St. Mark's Basilica and looked up at the golden mosaics. We let the sound of song echo beneath the Bridge of Sighs. We watched a glassmaker blow a flower on Murano. We visited the colorful island of Burano, and my parents smiled and said, "It's like a fairy tale." This trip allowed us to capture many still moments and hear my parents tell us stories from their youth. Perhaps the meaning of travel isn't how many places we see, but who we see them with. This time, we avoided the crowds and discovered a canal boat route used by locals, which is both cheaper and offers even better views. #ItalianTravel #Venice #TravelInspiration #TravelRecommendations