The Kind of Trip You Only Get When You Pack Light

Venice is rarely quiet, but somehow I found myself alone on its peaceful side—away from gondolas and selfie sticks. It wasn’t planned. I simply packed light and wandered.

My guesthouse, Silk Road, was tucked near the edge of the Lido. It took about 20 minutes to walk there from the bus terminal, with the sea waiting just outside my window. There was a local bar strip below, but the real joy came from not rushing. I had everything I needed in one lightweight waterproof backpack—no rolling luggage to drag over cobbled streets.

I skipped the vaporetto. Instead, I walked and took the local No. 5 bus to Marco Polo Airport. Tickets were easy to find (€10 to the airport, or €1.5 to Tessera). If you're walking with a backpack, even the route from Tessera is simple and scenic. But for roller suitcases? Narrow streets and surprise stairways could make that rough.

When I got hungry, I followed the mood instead of a map. I found Osteria “Aea Canevassa” behind Ca’ Foscari University. The portions were small—just enough—and their melon wine was dangerously creamy. Later that evening, I picked up roasted duck sandwiches from a roadside bakery. No name. Just a perfect €11 meal.

The highlight?  It didn’t feel touristy at all. I bought a mosquito-shaped charm (revenge for my sleepless night), a duck sausage dog, and a bracelet for a friend. Everything was affordable and handmade.

This trip reminded me how good it feels to carry less. A lightweight waterproof backpack wasn’t just practical—it gave me freedom. Freedom to stop where I wanted, take the long route, or skip the map altogether.

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