Travel Notes: Venice, Italy

From my travel files...1978

I felt another blog coming on....but had a good chat 

with myself and came to reason. This one will do :)

I have files busting with travel notes 

and they need a home. 

Seeing that many of you are keen travellers 

whether in person or in your dreams (like me), 

I thought you might like to come along for the ride.  

Hey, you never know, someday, you just might find yourself 

in a piazza in Venice wondering what to do next. 

You may even be having a Kate Hepburn moment, here.

You will then think to whip out your phone, 

ipad..whatever the case may be and voila...

I will be there to the rescue!  

I am hoping you will join in and add suggestions...

dreams are most welcome too.  :))

Venice..

My last trip to Venice was in 1978. 

I was in my third year of University and was in awe. 

I admit, back then, I was more in awe of the men than the history 

but I will save that story for another day.

I vowed then to go back 

and I know that day will come. 

I can feel it in my bones.

Image taken by me-1978

I came across an article recently and knew it was a keeper. 

The following are recommendations by Patricial Urquiola, 

a leading designer and architect for Alessi, 

B&B Italia, Moroso and Mandarain Oriental. 

I am going to trust her judgement. :))

 Patricia has been going to Venice 

for nearly 15 years and 

highly recommends the following. 

Patricia recommends....

Take to the train to Venice, crossing the whole lagoon 

to Stazione Santa Lucia in the old centre.

Walk across the Ponte alle Guglie for brioche or frittelle 

and coffee at Pasticceria Tonolo.

Stop in a few churches along the way and 

keep an eye out for an alterpiece by Bellini. 

Lunch at Osteria Bancogiro near the Rialto Market. 

It has a lovely terrace on the canal. 

Another spot for lunch, Ostaria Da Rioba.

For art appreciation go to  Fondazione Querini Stampalia,  

Palazzo Fortuny, Punta della Dogana or Palazzo Grassi.

A wander thru bookshops, Libreria Toletta in Dorsoduro 

and Rigattieri in San Marco.

An afternoon wine and tapas at All'Arco Rialto or 

Zanzibar in the Campo Santa Maria Formosa.

Dinner at trattoria Dalla Marisa in Cannaregio.

Morning rowboat (a s'ciopon) on the canals.

Afternoon sail in a topo ( a little sailboat) to Locanda Cipriani 

on the island of Torcello..stay for dinner.

I don't know about you, 

but I sort of feel that I just took the trip after

reading that list. :))

Image taken by me-1978

These are the sort of suggestions 

I tuck away in my travel books.
The little experiences,
off the beaten track,
the ones that are often times
the most rewarding.

Have you been to Venice?
What year did you visit?
Anything you would like to add?

......POSTSCRIPT....

Reader suggestions:

From Carla Coulson...where to eat in Venice.

From Lucille....

Venice for Pleasure, here.

From Sunday Taylor...

Read a review

from A Village Life, here.

Travel Notes to the Loire Valley, here.

Article from Perfect Weekend
Financial Times: How To Spend It
Written by Maria Shollenbarger