Josiah Hill Seattle - Discovering the Magic of Venice, Italy

Venice is a city that doesn’t simply invite you in—it envelops you. The canals, the echo of gondoliers’ songs, and the kaleidoscope of reflections off the water all create an atmosphere that feels both timeless and fleeting. For Josiah Hill, Seattle-based physician and operations leader, Venice represented more than just a travel destination. It was a place to immerse himself in art, food, and history while reflecting on his own journey.

In this story, we trace his fictional but realistic travels through the floating city, stopping at real neighborhoods, restaurants, and landmarks. Along the way, you’ll find tips and cultural insights that any traveler can use while experiencing Venice for themselves.

Arrival in Venice: First Impressions

Stepping off the vaporetto at Piazzale Roma, Hill was struck by how different Venice felt compared to other European cities he had visited. There were no cars, no taxis honking in the distance—only boats, bridges, and people on foot. The air carried the scent of salt water, espresso, and freshly baked pastries wafting from a nearby café.

His first evening was spent wandering across the Ponte degli Scalzi, suitcase in hand, marveling at the Grand Canal as vaporetti and gondolas glided past. The pastel facades, worn by centuries of salt air, seemed alive with stories.

Travel Tip: Arrive with light luggage. Venice’s beauty lies in its maze-like streets and bridges, but dragging heavy bags over cobblestones and canals can quickly dampen the magic.

The Grandeur of St. Mark’s Square

No trip to Venice is complete without standing in awe at Piazza San Marco. Hill arrived early in the morning, before the square filled with tourists. The Basilica di San Marco shimmered in the rising sun, its mosaics glinting gold, while the Campanile stood tall as a timeless sentinel.

Climbing the bell tower, he looked out across a city that seemed to float on water. From that vantage point, Venice revealed itself as both fragile and enduring. The red-tiled rooftops stretched toward the horizon, and the lagoon sparkled like glass.

Travel Tip: Visit St. Mark’s Basilica in the early morning or late evening. The crowds thin, and the light brings out the best in the mosaics.

Josiah Hill in Seattle, Finding Venice’s Local Flavor Abroad

Back home in Washington, Hill often sought out international dining experiences in Seattle’s diverse neighborhoods. In Venice, he embraced the same curiosity, searching for authentic flavors beyond the tourist traps.

His first meal was at Trattoria da Fiore, tucked in a side street near Campo Santo Stefano. The simplicity of sarde in saor—marinated sardines with onions, pine nuts, and raisins—captured Venice’s ability to transform humble ingredients into something extraordinary.

Later, at Osteria alle Testiere, he savored razor clams and spaghetti alle vongole, paired with a crisp Veneto white wine. Each bite reminded him why food in Venice is as much about tradition as it is about taste.

Travel Tip: Look for small osterias frequented by locals. Menus change with the day’s catch, ensuring freshness and authenticity.

Exploring Venice’s Neighborhoods

Hill dedicated days to exploring Venice’s sestieri (districts), each with its own character.

• San Marco: Bustling and elegant, the heart of Venice’s landmarks.

• Cannaregio: Quieter, with a mix of history and daily Venetian life. He strolled the Jewish Ghetto, one of Europe’s oldest, reflecting on resilience and culture.

• Dorsoduro: Home to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, where modern art meets Renaissance architecture. Hill spent an afternoon absorbing works by Pollock, Picasso, and Dalí.

• Castello: A district where locals outnumber tourists. Here, he lingered at family-run cafés and listened to the rhythm of everyday Venetian life.

Travel Tip: Don’t be afraid to wander off the main routes. Venice rewards the curious with hidden courtyards, quiet canals, and authentic interactions.

Gondolas and the Romance of the Waterways

Though gondola rides are often dismissed as tourist clichés, Hill couldn’t resist. One evening, as the sun dipped low, he boarded a gondola from Campo Santa Maria del Giglio.

The gondolier, Marco, shared stories of his family’s generations-long tradition of navigating Venice’s canals. As they glided beneath the Bridge of Sighs, Hill realized the ride wasn’t about novelty—it was about perspective. From the water, Venice reveals angles and details impossible to see from the bridges above.

Travel Tip: Share a gondola with friends to make the experience more affordable, or choose a less-crowded canal for a more intimate journey.

Culture and Craftsmanship

Venice’s culture thrives in its crafts. Hill visited a workshop on Murano Island, where glassblowers transformed molten glass into intricate chandeliers. On Burano, famous for its colorful houses, he admired lace-makers at work, carrying on a tradition centuries old.

At the Teatro La Fenice, one of Italy’s most historic opera houses, he attended a performance. The ornate interiors glowed under chandeliers, and the music resonated with centuries of artistic dedication.

Travel Tip: Consider a Vaporetto pass to explore Murano and Burano. These islands showcase Venice’s artistry and offer quieter escapes from the main city.

Josiah Hill Seattle | Food as Cultural Connection

Venice’s culinary scene offered Hill a way to connect with its heritage. At Rialto Market, he watched locals barter for seafood and fresh produce. He tried cicchetti (Venetian tapas) at Cantina Do Mori, one of the city’s oldest bacari, enjoying bites of baccalà mantecato on polenta and fried calamari.

For dessert, he indulged in tiramisu at I Tre Mercanti, savoring the creamy layers while seated by the canal. The experience reminded him that food is not just nourishment but a reflection of place and people.

Travel Tip: Pair cicchetti with an ombra (a small glass of wine) at bacari. It’s Venice’s version of tapas culture and a budget-friendly way to dine.

Heritage and Reflection

For Hill, Venice wasn’t just about sights and flavors—it was about history. He walked through Arsenale, the former shipyard that once made Venice a naval superpower. Standing among its massive gates, he imagined the centuries of innovation and resilience that sustained the city.

In Venice’s history, he saw parallels to his own professional journey: the importance of adaptability, the balance between tradition and innovation, and the resilience required to thrive amid constant change.

Practical Travel Tips from Josiah Hill in Seattle

• Getting Around: Buy a multi-day Vaporetto pass to save money and time.

• Best Season: Visit in spring or fall to avoid summer crowds and high water.

• Local Etiquette: Respect church dress codes; modest clothing is appreciated.

• Hidden Gems: Seek out Libreria Acqua Alta, a quirky bookstore where books are stacked in gondolas and bathtubs to protect them from floods.

Who Is Josiah Hill Professionally?

Outside of travel, Josiah Hill, Seattle-based professional, has built a career that bridges medicine, the military, and business. A graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, he served as an officer before pursuing medicine at the University of South Florida. He completed an emergency medicine residency at Tampa General Hospital and later earned an MBA from Eastern Washington University.

Hill’s professional journey includes roles as an attending physician, a regional manager in boating operations, and a Regional Sales Director introducing innovative medical technologies to major healthcare systems. His diverse background emphasizes leadership, adaptability, and a mission-driven mindset.

When he travels, he carries this same philosophy: embracing challenges, learning from new environments, and finding connections between history, culture, and professional growth.

Conclusion

Venice left Josiah Hill with more than just memories of gondola rides and pasta dishes. It offered lessons in resilience, innovation, and the power of tradition—lessons that echo in his personal and professional life.

For travelers, the floating city remains one of the world’s most enchanting destinations. For Hill, it was a reminder that exploration is as much about understanding oneself as it is about discovering a place.