One more country to reminisce over, that begins with an I – and that’s Italy. So many beautiful and impressive places to remember, but I thought we’d take a look at some of the glories that are Venice. We stayed here for a couple of days in 2012 before taking a Mediterranean cruise that started and ended in Venice. But we’ve been for a few brief visits before, including a day trip during our Austrian holiday in 1989 – so any particurly grainy photos will be from that holiday!

So what do you think of, when you think of Venice? There’s only one thing!

Yep, gondolas on the Grand Canal. Plus the extravagantly costumed gondoliers, of course

Apparently they don’t like it if you sing Just One Cornetto to them, as my uncle once found out.

The extraordinary thing about Venice is that, when you visit it for the first time, it is EXACTLY as you had imagined it would be. That Canaletto guy nailed it absolutely.

From the grand, beautiful sights to the grotty corners, it still manages to look picturesque.

 

Of course, the bridges are also a very important aspect to the Venice waterscape

As are the boats

Water taxis

rowboats

and the boats that wait to collect you from your hotel

Beautiful by day

Stunning by night

Glorious churches

like the San Marco

San Nicolo dei Mendicoli

And the extraordinary ceiling of the Doge’s Palace

But as always in a place like this, it’s the magic of those unexpected moments…

Thanks for accompanying me on this trip around Venice. Next blog will probably (but maybe not…) be another bunch of theatrical memories from October 1980 to July 1981. Stay safe!