My Final Day in Venice: Simple Pleasures and the Perfect Cantucci

One final day to wander slowly through Venice, savoring cappuccinos, almond cantucci, and the quiet magic of a city that has stolen my heart.

“Venice never quite leaves you. It lingers like light on water, long after you’ve gone.”

There’s something about Venice that makes you slow down.

Perhaps it’s the water quietly moving through the canals, or the way every narrow street seems to lead to a bridge, a small square, or a view that makes you pause for just a moment longer.

I have seen so much during my days here. I wandered through the magnificent halls of the Doge’s Palace, stood beneath the glittering mosaics of St. Mark’s Basilica, and spent time exploring the wonderful collections of Museo Correr.

I also visited the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, my final ticketed stop of this journey. The veranda alone was worth the visit. Standing there overlooking the canal was breathtaking. The modern artwork felt like a gentle reset—bringing me momentarily back into our own time, while still surrounded by the grandeur, opulence, history, and beauty that define Venice.

One fun thing I noticed while wandering the city is how many dogs there are—and how incredibly well behaved they all seem to be. I later learned that Venice is considered one of the most dog-friendly cities in Italy. It makes sense. With no cars and no yards, people take their furry companions everywhere. The dogs seem calm and content, and the entire city feels peaceful and unhurried.

Speaking of no cars, my advice to anyone visiting Venice is to budget for a private water taxi when you arrive. The roughly €90 you will spend for a private water taxi from the train station to your hotel is absolutely worth it. If you are staying along the Grand Canal, they can deliver you right to your hotel door.

Likewise, when it is time to depart for Marco Polo Airport, the roughly €200 private water taxi ride becomes part of the experience. Your hotel will arrange everything for you. They handle the luggage, guide you to the boat, and suddenly you are gliding across the lagoon. It makes the entire journey feel effortless and allows you to experience Venice properly.

But today is something different.

Today is simply for savoring Venice.

No rushing. No checklists. Just wandering, noticing, and enjoying one last beautiful day in a city that has quietly captured my heart.

The Sweet Treats That Won My Heart

If there is one culinary discovery that stands out from Venice for me, it’s not a grand seafood dish or elaborate meal—though I had many wonderful ones here, and I definitely recommend trying the traditional sarde in saor.

Instead, it’s the bread.

And the pastries.

But not in the overly sweet way desserts can sometimes be at home. Venetian sweets seem more balanced, more subtle—just sweet enough.

My personal favorite has been the cantucci.

I tried several versions during my time here, including those from Dol Nono Colussi and a few other bakeries. But the one that truly won my heart came from Emilio Colussi, formally called Colussi II Fornia LTD.

I’m taking four bags of their cantucci home with me.

What makes them so special is their simplicity. The cantucci are filled with whole almonds—and truly, the almonds are the star. The biscuit itself almost feels as though it exists simply to hold those beautiful toasted almonds together.

Like bread holding a sandwich.

It somehow makes the almonds even better.

There’s just enough sweetness to brighten the flavor, and the texture is crisp but not hard. Perfect with coffee.

And also perfect simply nibbling while wandering down a Venetian street.

Speaking of coffee…

The Perfect Venetian Cappuccino

Two cappuccino stops stood above the rest during my stay.

The first was the historic Caffè Florian, where people have been sitting beneath gilded ceilings since 1720.

The second—and perhaps my favorite—was Caffè del Doge, where the cappuccinos are simply perfect, and the tiramisu is delightful.

There is something magical about standing at the bar or sitting outside with a cappuccino in Venice, watching people wander past, boats glide along the canals, and the rhythm of the city unfold around you.

Wandering My Way Through My Final Day

My plan for today is beautifully simple.

I’ll walk back toward the area near Caffè del Doge, stopping at the little mask shop that caught my eye earlier in the week. I may pick up a small Venetian mask as a souvenir for my granddaughter.

From there I’ll wander toward the Rialto Market area to browse the ceramic shops and select espresso cups for my son and son-in-law.

Then I’ll drift slowly toward Dorsoduro, crossing the Accademia Bridge.

Lunch will be at Taverna San Trovaso, a charming little restaurant that feels wonderfully local.

Afterward I’ll visit the beautiful Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, whose great white dome watches over the entrance to the Grand Canal.

From there I’ll walk to the very tip of the peninsula at Punta della Dogana, one of the most breathtaking views in the city, where the Grand Canal meets the open lagoon.

The view stretches across the water toward San Marco, and it feels like Venice opening itself to the sea.

One More Gelato

No final day in Venice would be complete without gelato.

I’ll stop again at Gelateria Nico.

Yesterday I had the yogurt and limone flavors, and they were heavenly. In my opinion, Gelateria Nico may serve the best gelato on earth.

Today I plan to try the famous Gianduiotto—a block of chocolate and hazelnut gelato topped with whipped cream—while sitting at a table overlooking the water.

Sometimes the simplest moments become the most memorable.

A Final Walk

Perhaps I’ll take the traghetto across the Grand Canal at Santa Sofia.

Or perhaps I’ll simply walk back across the Accademia Bridge.

I’ll wander through Campo Santo Stefano, pass through Campo San Luca, and stop once more for a cappuccino at Caffè del Doge.

Then I’ll stroll toward Campo San Giacomo di Rialto and cross the Rialto Bridge one final time.

I already know I will come back to Venice someday. I'm already planning my next visit to Venice and days in Padua, Verona, Bologna, Siena, San Gimignano, Lucca, Montepulciano, and of course Florence.

And while much of Venice will feel familiar, I suspect it will feel new again too.

Perhaps next time I will have someone special beside me.

There will still be so many moments waiting to be experienced together for the very first time.

Not the least of which will be a gondola ride.

A Honey Note

Sometimes the best way to say goodbye to a place you love is simply to walk through it slowly one last time.

No strict plans.

No schedules.

Just gratitude.

Venice, thank you for the beauty, the quiet magic, the perfect cappuccinos, and the almonds that reminded me that sometimes the simplest things are the most extraordinary.

I will carry you with me.

Until next time.

With love and a little honey,

MaryNell (🍯🐝 Honey)

Somewhere out there, another beautiful city — and perhaps another beautiful chapter — is waiting.

P.S.

There is something wonderful about traveling alone — every choice guided simply by curiosity and joy. I have loved that freedom.

But cities like Venice also remind me how sweet it will be someday to share these moments with someone special — wandering slowly, laughing easily, and letting the beauty of a place like this become part of a story written together.