I was taken aback by Qatar’s beauty and deeply humbled by my own ignorance. As an Arabic speaker and someone who considers herself partly from the Arab world, I had subconsciously absorbed the narrative that the Gulf was a homogeneous cluster of oil-funded microstates, their cultural depth overshadowed by gleaming skyscrapers. I was wrong. Realizing my misconceptions was uncomfortable, but necessary. Travel often teaches us hard truths, and this trip reminded me why it matters so much to engage with places deeply, not just pass through them.

There are places you visit once, perhaps twice. And then there are places like Venice—the kind of city that reveals itself slowly, inviting you to return, wander, and uncover its many layers. This weekend guide offers an intimate, lived-in Venice, one that doesn’t rush or crowd. It’s a Venice that feels real, away from the obvious paths, while honoring the city’s unmistakable magic.