Ahhh Venice. Founded on water, slowly sinking, a myriad of bridges, Gondolas, narrow watery canals and a whole lot of robust hustle.
Finding our way from the exterior carports dragging luggage onto crowded water buses then off at the appropriate stop is a feat worthy of G&T fortification. Equivalent
to a gin martini with ‘drive by’ tonic we are giggling within minutes in the majestic Hotel Palazzo Giovanni. In celebration of our Fifi’s milestone birthday, Ducky surprises her with a pre planned upgrade to an exclusive suite where Murano Chandeliers delight and luxury abounds. A further Gin Martini over restaurant choices before Ducky finally exercises authority and insists on a Chinese nosh. The guru of this gastronomic pleasure and one must bow to the professional.
The picture doesn’t fit for obvious reasons but the restaurant surprises with the best we’ve
ever tasted…the crispy beef a particular pleasure (Bellsies you would have been in raptures) and all washed down with a lovely little Pinot Grigio.
On every corner couples earnestly argue over maps in an effort to find their way home through narrow winding alleys and over the many bridges.
We readily find ours digs thanks to the girls’ visual recollections of Murano glassware, chocolate, nougat, Venetian mask and Italian leather stores…much to the chagrin of Dicky and Ducky for navigating is ‘man work’. So much to see, taste, sensate, the senses in overload we retire to rest, tomorrow will be a big day requiring fortitude and strong leather soles…oh! Italian shoes! Want. Need. Have to have!
arters reside in the tower! One suite, an urgent need to grow Rapunzel hair should the need for a quick escape arise, and a rising trepidation for the tower is reported to be haunted! Pix occupies her reticence by climbing the narrow, winding stairs to the very top of the turret where the view is absolutely breathtaking. Undulating hills of multiple hues ranging from pastel golds to deep lush greens striated with pencil pines between which narrow roads meander. Picture postcard perfect.
Dicky and Fifi finally arrive just in time to indulge in a sumptuous candle lit dinner of tender lamb supplemented with an indulgent Tiramisu and lively banter from Massimo our Chef, later to retire to our respective Castle elements. Pixi finds her turret a four level butt firming engineering feat, sans ghost; all of us sleeping peacefully after a long day’s travel. Must admit, there’s nothing like being interrupted from one’s slumber by a Cuckoo gently tapping on our respective windows.
ced…or maybe that’s the atmosphere?
