mandb trips: October 2015

Not wishing to repeat myself but this trip to Venice for Margaret's 60th birthday (I know she doesn't look a day over 40), had a similar ring to it as our recent trip to SW Ireland. Coincidentally, I was returning to Venice for the first time in 35 years, and Margaret was visiting for the first time!
I'll even give you another quote from the journal I kept of my Europe trip in 1980:
"As we passed over the Ponte to the mainland, I whispered a goodbye to Venice, as I do to places I know I will return to"

Much like Venice, our out-of-date guidebook appeared unaffected by the passing of time, and wisely suggested that, with so much on offer, mixing up the sightseeing and pacing yourself was a good idea. "this is a city to be savoured like a rare cognac, not gulped."
Our plan to visit the islands of the lagoon, as well as the obvious sights in Venice, fitted well with this varied approach, aided by the simple fact that hurrying through crowds of people, dodging hotel porters transporting bags from nearby water bus stops, and travelling via these leisurely modes of travel, could not be rushed anyway.

Our seven days in 'The Floating City' -

Obvious Venice Picture: No.1 - 'Duck'

Venice is renowned for the beauty of its setting, architecture and artwork. The city in its entirety is listed as a World Heritage Site, along with its lagoon. Containing 450 bridges over 177 canals, much has been written about this unique place by more qualified and learned people, so what more can we add? Nothing really, except having had a fantastic time and taken lots of photos (some obvious snaps and a few captured opportune moments) we have a few thoughts and tips to share.

Bill attempting to look as learned as a TV presenter. Maybe the sandals were a mistake?

Venice doesn't reveal its treasures cheaply and some homework and research can allow you to make the most of your time and save you some money. With my 'trip advisor' hat firmly on (but not over my eyes and ears) see the veneziavero tips panels

The opposite to a water bus. The MSC Musica (a 2,500 passenger 'skyscraper' cruise ship) leaving Venice and completely masking the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, in the process.

With all this culture and history to absorb, at times it felt like a school educational (now pay attention at the back). As we learned about:

Trompe L’oeil - the art of creating an optical illusion that appears three dimensional.

Caffi - as in Ippolito Caffi (not some frothy venetian beverage). His highly detailed paintings are admired for their brilliant lighting. His ‘veduta’ style that of renowned/famous Venice scenes by Guardi and Cannaletto.

Venice, circa 1858-60, painting by Caffi

Venice today - not a painting by Cannaletto, but a photo by Bill.

Construction - Foundation blocks made from a stone called ‘kirmenjak’ (with extremely low water absorption) line the canals, their depth an indication of wealth at the time of construction. see: https://illumin.usc.edu/130/a-look-at-venice-past-and-present/

The MOSE project - mobile floodgates, distributed among the 3 entrances to the lagoon - Lido, Malamocco and Chioggia. Looked like a work in progress though should be completed by now. May not be fully operational until 2017, information was a bit vague.

Pronunciation - how to spell our name in Italian: that's "pay ohh chay ohh chay kapa".

Bridge reflection. Obvious Picture No.2

Go now before it sinks?
Venice has stopped sinking but due to rising sea-levels it still floods regularly, so bring your wellies or invest in a €10 pair of plastic pull up boots that you fit over your shoes (see picture below) which are not, we can tell you, entirely waterproof and hardly for the fashion conscious, but do help!

mandb trips

Introduction to

Friday, 30 October 2015

Venice

Our seven days in 'The Floating City' -