Venice: Loving It & Why??!!

[TLCOhio]

On 12/20/2022 at 11:59 AM, cruisemom42 said:

Hi Terry -- I wouldn't necessarily believe what you read on this account. My DS and I visited Venice and Florence in 2018 in late November. The crowds in November in Venice were incredible. St. Marks square was packed during daylight hours and the narrow streets between St. Marks and Rialto were wall-to-wall with people going to and fro. It seemed to me like every gondola in the city was fully occupied.  

 

Super appreciate the great follow-ups from cruisemom42.  As always, you bring important and helpful background and insights.  Excellent added sharing by the Green Family.  Yes, timing can be debatable and bit of a "roll of the dice".  Then as noted below, the weather can be a factor, too, for Venice to maximize the experience. 

 

From the London/UK Telegraph yesterday, they had this headline: “If you’re visiting Venice in summer, you’re doing it all wrong" with this sub-headline: "Make the most of the Floating City’s innermost corners when the winter weather closes in.”

 

Here are some of their reporting by Nick Trend highlights: “When the sun shines, it’s glorious. The alleyways, quaysides and canals are quiet; the locals are relaxed. The low slanting light glitters like diamonds on the surface of the water and reflects on to cracked marble and weathered brick, infusing dilapidation with beauty. On a good day, winter is the most wonderful time to explore the world’s most beautiful city.  But when the rain comes, or the fog descends, or the icy tramontane wind whips down from the Dolomites, the damp and bitter cold of a Venetian winter eats into your bones. The views are gone; beauty sleeps. Cheer up. In Venice, bad weather simply presents an opportunity. What makes this such an extraordinary city is not just those near miraculous views of stone-encrusted palaces and churches shimmering like mirages on the water, but what’s inside them. And the fascinating thing about indoor Venice is just how much the decorative aesthetics of the opulent ballrooms and painted salons, the glittering mosaics and airy frescoes, have changed over time.”

 

One key point?  Don't forget the interiors: "Confidence infused the Venetians in the 16th century – it saw itself as a cultural rival to Rome and Florence, aggrandising its palazzos and championing artists such as Titian and Tintoretto."

 

Full story at:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/italy/veneto/venice/visiting-venice-summer-wrong/

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio   

 

Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 255,727 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

[TLCOhio]

From the London/UK Telegraph last year, they had this headline: “How to spend a weekend in Venice"  with this sub-headline: "An insider guide to the city on water, a trove of historical treasures, fine dining and vibrant culture.”

 

Here are a few of their reporting highlights by Anne Hanley from her thirty years of experience living in Italy: “There are days when visitors to this exquisite jewel box of a city outnumber locals two-to-one, and when getting from the station to St Mark's square is a battle. But despite this, Venice never loses its capacity to enchant: stepping out of the station to be greeted by a glittering canal with the dome of San Simeon Piccolo beyond remains heart-stopping, whether you're doing it for the first time or the 100th.  Even at peak visitor periods, the worst excesses can be avoided and you're never more than a bridge away from secluded Venice with its quiet campi (squares), churches concealing luminous Madonnas, handsome Gothic palazzi – and bustling neighbourhood hangouts.”

 

Here are a couple of good tips to consider: "The wondrous, mosaic-studded interior of Venice's mother church, St Mark's Basilica doesn't open to visitors until 9.30 am, but anyone is welcome to attend morning mass. Take your pick between the 8 am and 10 am slots. The advantage of the latter, apart from the lie-in, is that it's sometimes a sung Lauds mass.  Enjoy a morning stroll along the scenic Riva degli Schiavoni waterfront promenade and hop on the number 2 vaporetto at the San Marco – San Zaccaria stop. Get off at the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, and take the lift to the top of the church's 18th-century campanile to enjoy a spectacular view of Venice and its lagoon."

 

This Venice thread is now over 100,000 views.  Appreciate all who have dropped, made comments, shared info, asked questions, etc.  Keep it up!!

 

Full story at:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/italy/veneto/venice/articles/venice-travel-guide/

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 245,853 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

[TLCOhio]

From London Telegraph Italy travel expert Anne Hanley, she also had this profile titled: “The best restaurants in Venice” with these highlights: “Venice is famously a minefield of overpriced, tourist-trap restaurants offering depressingly mediocre food. Happily, for those in the know there are also some wonderful authentic local finds, and dazzling fine dining establishments, confirmed in 2022 by a dusting of new Michelin stars.  Our expert shares her favourite places to eat in Venice – from intimate Michelin-starred canal-side establishments offering delicately presented seafood dishes; to old-school Venetian trattorias where punters can savour delicious seafood pasta and a carafe of local wine while watching the world go by.”

 

Among those suggested are: "Osteria San Marco is a rare exception – an oasis of quality in a sea of menù turistici, a good-looking contemporary osteria with a simple but creative seasonally changing menu (pacchetti pasta with prawns, aubergine and liquorice butter, duck breast with paprika and acacia honey) and a serious, well-priced wine list, including several by-the-glass options. Quadri: Chef Massimiliano (aka Max) Alajmo is a creative genius who delights in sleight of hand party pieces such as his cappuccino di laguna starter – an exquisite seafood mix posing as a breakfast beverage.  Ai Mercanti: It's a little hidden away, but once you find it this 'gastrosteria' provides what is so often lacking in Venice: high-level cuisine in an ambience of contemporary elegance, at prices that will not leave you feeling fleeced.  Alle Testiere: A single, soberly elegant dining room is the venue for this ever-popular seafood restaurant where chef Bruno and sommelier Luca are an excellent double act."

 

Do these mentions of great, fresh seafood make you hungry?  Many more options are detailed in this lengthy profile.  

 

Full story at:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/italy/veneto/venice/articles/venice-restaurants/

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 240,748 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

[samavarcruiser]

Thanks a lot for follow up, this one is my favourite thread 🥰

[TLCOhio]

On 1/26/2023 at 1:36 AM, samavarcruiser said:

Thanks a lot for follow up, this one is my favourite thread 🥰

 

Appreciate above this kind follow-up from our cruise friend in Germany.  Yes, will keep trying to sharing interesting items and tips about Venice.  Welcome others to post here and reveal your great experiences in Venice.    

 

From MSN News earlier this month, they had this headline: “15 things you must do in Venice” with these highlights: “The mere mention of Venice conjures a whirlpool of images. So why not dive in? Visit the historic city and you can amble around sun-speckled canals, mysterious alleyways, unmissable museums, and romantic restaurants.  There are a million things to do in Venice, but there are only 15 things you can't go without.”

 

In addition to the "usual suspects" such as the Grand Canal, St. Marks Square, Rialto Bridge, etc., here are four of their lesser-known options you might want to considered: 

 

"Teatro La Fenice: A landmark opera house, means "The Phoenix"--a nod to the fact that it's risen from the ashes not once, but three times, most recently after two arsonists burned it down in 1996. But it's been renovated and restored back to its former glory."

 

"Murano Glass Museum: Make time for a trip to Murano and admire the glass-making artistry. The products are held on display at the Murano glass museum.  These dreamy works of art are going to inspire you to stop by the gift shop on your way out, or at a glass factory nearby."

 

"Osteria Alla Frasca: For a true Venetian dinner, Osteria Alla Frasca is one of the most authentic spots in town. You come here for the delightful seafood pasta, but you're really here to eat like the locals, with the locals. It's an adventure just trying to find this small, family-owned gem."

 

"Church of San Giorgio Maggiore:  Everyone needs a picture of themselves in Venice. Whether it's for Instagram, Twitter, or Tinder, you can't go wrong with the tower of San Giorgio, which boasts panoramic views of Venice from 350-feet up."

 

Finally, they note a key suggestion that I have shared earlier.  This profile summarizes: "Get Lost:  Venice is a crazy, decadent maze of streets--and each one leads to a new, exciting place. You're going to get lost. Your map is going to be off. The best thing to do is walk around, lose the schedule, and discover a new restaurant, cafe, canal, or church. Once you've seen the tourist spots, wander into the heart of Venice."  

 

Agree strongly!!??

 

Full story at:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/travelnews/15-things-you-must-do-in-venice-italy/ss-AAR2Nl7#image=5

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 53,573 views. Featuring Cape Town, South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

[TLCOhio]

 

   2 hours ago,  quercus alba said: 

I'm reading Roger Crowley's City of Fortune right now, which is a history of Venice that opens with a blow by blow account of how Dandolo utilized the Fourth Crusade to essentially gain Venice a monopoly on trade in the Eastern Mediterranean, including a brutal account of the siege and sack of Constantinople in that campaign.

 

RESPONSE POSTED BY cruisemom42:  After I read a similar book I made it a priority, on my next visit to Venice, to hunt down a number of treasures that made it back to Venice after the sack of Constantinople in the Fourth Crusade, a shocking event in history....  Some of the Byzantine enamels and many of the gems of the incomparable Pala d'Oro (altar screen); items in the Treasury, and (most likely) the famous bronze horses all can be seen in St. Marks. 

 

My special favorite is this sculpture in rare porphyry (long reserved for emperors) of the "Four Tetrarchs" or four rulers of the divided Roman empire, dating from around 300 BC and previously thought to grace a monument in Constantinople. It can be seen at one of the corners of the front facade of St. Marks. Interestingly, I have also "visited" the one piece of the sculpture that the crusader looters left behind -- the heel of one of the tetrarchs. It is in the Istanbul archaeology museum now.

 

 

 

On the Med/Europe board of CC in reaction to a post on Istanbul, the above was posted about this Roger Crowley book titled "City of Fortune" related to Venice.  Interesting??  Then, Cruisemom42 had this helpful follow-up as copied and seen above.  

 

Great background that verifies there is so much to research, know and explore for Venice.  Great sharing. Thought I would post here. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Athens & Greece: Visuals, details from two visits in a city and nearby with great history, culture and architecture.  Now at 50,373 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=110

[TLCOhio]

Super appreciate that book suggestion and follow-up by quercus alba.

 

Just checked our local library and they have this Venice book available.  Will get it soon.  Below is the visual for the cover of his book.  Interesting!!  Here is the bio the library lists for this experienced author:  "Roger Crowley was born in 1951 and spent part of his childhood in Malta. He read English at Cambridge University and taught English in Istanbul, where he developed a strong interest in the history of Turkey. He has traveled extensively throughout the Mediterranean basin over many years and has a wide-ranging knowledge of its history and culture. He lives in Gloucestershire, England. He is also the author of 1453: The Holy War for Constantinople and The Clash of Islam and the West andEmpires of the Sea: The Siege of Malta, the Battle of Lepanto, and the Contest for the Center of the World."

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.).  Now at 70,998 views:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2076101-live-amazon-river-caribbean-many-pix’s-terryohio/

 

[TLCOhio]

Just picked up from the library and am starting to read the "City of Fortune" book.  

 

At the start of this book is great quote from Laonikos Chalkokondyles, a Greek scholar who gained the patronage of Lorenzo de Medici in Florence during the Renaissance, serving as a tutor and teacher in Italy for forty years.  His insightful summary of Venice  quoted in this book: "The people of Venice have neither a foothold on the mainland nor can they cultivate the earth.  They are compelled to import everything they need by sea  It's through trade that they have accumulated great wealth."

 

Then I checked for a few good, enlightened quotes from famous folks about Venice: 

 

“Venice, it’s temples and palaces did seem like fabrics of enchantment piled to heaven.” Percy Bysshe Shelley

 

“I loved her from my boyhood,—she to me
Was as a fairy city of the heart,
Rising like water-columns from the sea,
Of joy the sojourn and of wealth the mart;
And Otway, Radcliffe, Schiller, Shakespeare’s art, 
Had stamped her image in me, and even so,
Although I found her thus, we did not part,
Perchance even dearer in her day of woe
Than when she was a boast, a marvel, and a show”

Lord Byron, Venice

 

“To build a city where it is impossible to build a city is madness in itself, but to build there one of the most elegant and grandest of cities is the madness of genius.”

Alexander Herzen

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 53,594 views. Featuring Cape Town, South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

[TLCOhio]

From CNN, the cable news network, this morning, they had this headline: “10 wild facts and customs about Carnival” with these highlights related to Venice: “Ash Wednesday is just around the corner (February 22). So you know what that means.  Carnival celebrations for 2023 are in full force around the world.  Boats fill the Grand Canal in Venice during a past Carnival, surging in popularity since returning in the modern era in 1979."

 

Here are more details shared by CNN: "The Venice Carnival began in 1162 as a military celebration. From there, it morphed into good ol’ party time – until 1797.  That’s when dour Francis II, the last Holy Roman Emperor, put the kibosh on the revelries (Austrians had just started calling the shots in Venice at the time). He also banned Venetians from wearing masks. During the 19th century, Venetians tried to jump-start a big public gathering, but they were able to muster only small, private fêtes.  Then in the height of the Disco Era, the Italian government came to the party-time rescue. It helped Venice relaunch Carnival in 1979. It’s now grown into one of the world’s most renowned, complete with grand masked balls and flotillas in the canals.”

 

CBS-TV Sunday Morning just had on-air a fascinating look at Venice and its unique history with masks.  Will try to find a link and share more from this television news video profile staring Venice, its people, their background relating to why and how masks have done so well there.  

 

Full story at:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/10-wild-facts-and-customs-about-carnival/ar-AA17G99A

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Athens & Greece: Visuals, details from two visits in a city and nearby with great history, culture and architecture.  Now at 50,373 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1101008

[TLCOhio]

33 minutes ago, TLCOhio said:

CBS-TV Sunday Morning just had on-air a fascinating look at Venice and its unique history with masks.  Will try to find a link and share more from this television news video profile staring Venice, its people, their background relating to why and how masks have done so well there.  

 

From the CBS-TV Sunday Morning segment today, they had this headline: “The art of Venetian masks” with these highlights: “It's a tradition in Venice that dates back hundreds of years, and extends far beyond Carnival celebrations and the countdown to Lent. Correspondent Seth Doane looks at the history of imaginative masks in Venice, where the only mask mandate is, the more extravagant, the better.”

 

Watch the entire segment thought this below-connected weblink.  Also, see the screen shots that I captured from this TV program starring Venice and its unique history  

 

Full TV segment at:

https://www.cbsnews.com/video/the-art-of-venetian-masks/

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio   

 

Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Live/blog, June 2017 from Portugal to France along scenic Atlantic Coast on the Silver Spirit.  Now at 33,074 views.  Many pictures, details for history, food, culture, etc.:

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From CBS-TV, here are few visual highlights from this fascinating segment from the program on Venice and their mask history/traditions with their correspondent on location in the famed Italian landmark.  The final shot shows the annual parade down the Grand Canal connected with these celebrations.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

 

 

 

 

[TLCOhio]

From Travel+Leisure magazine yesterday, they had this headline by Alison Fox: “Venice's Beloved Canals Are Drying Up"  with this sub-headline: "The city's smaller canals have been affected by Venice's current drought.”

 

Here are some of their reporting highlights: “Visitors heading to Venice may not see as many of the city's picturesque canals, or potentially enjoy a gondola ride, as the waterways have dried up due to a high-pressure weather system sitting over Italy.  The dry weather has led to a stretch of ebb tides — or a receding current — that has left several of the city’s smaller canals dry and unable to support boat traffic, AP reported. That, in turn, has meant tourists can’t explore many of the beautiful secondary waterways by gondola as the canals often serve as Venice’s streets in the car-less city.  The weather problems are multifaceted, blamed on a combination of lack of rain, a high pressure system, a full moon, and sea currents, Reuters reported.”

 

Hopefully, this is only a temporary situation for a city that faces, at times, flooding.  

 

This story also noted: "Venice also plans to implement a fee for day trippers, but the start has been postponed and it was not immediately clear when it would go into effect."

 

Full story at:

https://www.travelandleisure.com/venice-italy-drought-canals-7112387

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Panama Canal? Early 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through Panama Canal.  Our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Now at 31,790 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580

[GreenFamily]

54 minutes ago, TLCOhio said:

From Travel+Leisure magazine yesterday, they had this headline: “Venice's Beloved Canals Are Drying Up"  with this sub-headline: "The city's smaller canals have been affected by Venice's current drought.”

 

Here are some of their reporting highlights: “Visitors heading to Venice may not see as many of the city's picturesque canals, or potentially enjoy a gondola ride, as the waterways have dried up due to a high-pressure weather system sitting over Italy.  The dry weather has led to a stretch of ebb tides — or a receding current — that has left several of the city’s smaller canals dry and unable to support boat traffic, AP reported. That, in turn, has meant tourists can’t explore many of the beautiful secondary waterways by gondola as the canals often serve as Venice’s streets in the car-less city.  The weather problems are multifaceted, blamed on a combination of lack of rain, a high pressure system, a full moon, and sea currents, Reuters reported.”

 

Hopefully, this is only a temporary situation for a city that faces, at times, flooding.  

 

This story also noted: "Venice also plans to implement a fee for day trippers, but the start has been postponed and it was not immediately clear when it would go into effect."

 

Full story at:

https://www.travelandleisure.com/venice-italy-drought-canals-7112387

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Panama Canal? Early 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through Panama Canal.  Our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Now at 31,790 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580

😢

[TLCOhio]

Appreciate that nice follow-up from the Green Family.  

 

From the New York Times this morning, they had this headline: “Venice Is Saved! Woe Is Venice.” This long and detailed profile focuses much on MOSE, an Italian acronym for Experimental Electromechanical Module.  This name is evoking the biblical Moses, who had parted the waters and that this engineering has saved this historic city.

 

Here are a few of their reporting highlights: “Even as Italy now hails its against-all-odds success, MOSE’s story — 50 years in the making — and Venice’s — some 1,500 — are still being written. MOSE has already become much more than an engineering project. It came to embody Italy’s ambition and technical ingenuity, but also its political instability, bad governance, bureaucracy, corruption, debt and defeatism as delays mounted.   Now, though celebrated as the city’s sentinel, it may yet stand as a monument to the inexorable nature of climate change and the futility of man’s efforts to stop it. MOSE’s walls, costing 5 billion euros, about $5.3 billion, took so long to come together that the pace of climate change is already outstripping the projections they were built to withstand.”

 

The writers, Jason Horowitz and Emma Bubola, who have reported from Venice over years of floods, raise questions such as: "Will Venice one day have to cut itself off from the waters that are its lifeblood?"   Through pictures and their text, they detail that these sea walls are making a major difference in lessen the flooding impacts.  But, they note: "Venice is already using MOSE more than expected, and faces the prospect of needing it much more than it had ever imagined against rising seas, so often that it would threaten to seal the city from the waters that are its lifeblood."  And that . . . "The sea walls have allowed life to go on as usual."

 

This question is also raised: "Its incessant deployment, experts warn, could render Venice’s lagoon a fetid swamp choked by noxious algae, turning the city’s charming canals into stinking open sewers."

 

Here is the NY Times map featured in this story showing where the sea walls are located and operating: 

 

Full story at:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/01/world/europe/venice-mose-flooding.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

From late 2018, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East. Now at 21,675 views.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

[TLCOhio]

From CBS-TV News' "Sunday Morning" program today, they had this headline: “Attending a masquerade ball in fairy-tale Venice” with these highlights: “The opulence of a masked ball in the Italian city of Venice during Carnival must be seen to be believed. Correspondent Seth Doane joins revelers, including a couple who traveled from Florida to attend a lavish costume party, 'Il Ballo del Doge'; and talks with designer Antonia Sautter, who has created ever-more extravagant costumes for this Venetian tradition dating back centuries.”

 

Yes, it is lavish and costly for such participation. See some visual highlights below.   But, very interesting and hardly boring and bland.  Check out this visual story that centers around the traditions of Venice.  Unique and different!!!

 

For my wife and me, this does build up excitement for going back to Venice and re-visiting this great city.

 

Full story at:

https://www.cbsnews.com/video/attending-a-masquerade-ball-in-fairy-tale-venice/#x

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Summer 2019 Calgary, Jasper/Banff National Parks, Western Canada Rocky Mountaineer rail adventure, Vancouver, sailing up to Alaska on Silver Muse, post-cruise excursion to Denali, etc.  Many visuals and details from our first in these scenic areas!  Live/blog: 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2682584-live-terryohio-silver-muse-alaska-canadarockies-pix’s/

 

From CBS-TV News this morning, here are some of their visual highlights for their segment about the costume balls in historic Venice.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

 

 

 

[TLCOhio]

From the London/UK Express yesterday, they had this headline: “Cruise holidaymaker says they'll never cruise to Venice again after port 'chaos' ” with these highlights: “A cruise guest has said they won't visit Venice again, after a "shambolic" journey to the historic canal city. Since Venice banned cruise ships from the lagoon, cruise guests often have to travel to the city from another port.  Venice is one of Italy’s must-see destinations, but after the city banned cruise ships, it’s become a little more difficult to reach.”

 

With this changes, it is important to know where, how and if your ship will dock near Venice.  Here is more from their reporting: "Since Venice banned cruise ships from disembarking passengers in the city, many cruise companies drop guests in nearby Ravenna before transporting people via coach or train to Venice.  Cruise companies are likely to charge passengers for the transfer to Venice, which may be more than passengers expect to pay.    One cruise guest ‘peppymac’ said: 'We did this in October. Drive to Ravenna was two hours, through industrial, maritime areas. Honestly, nothing to see.  Ravenna cruise port was a shambolic hut of chaos. We were embarking 1,000 people between two ships simultaneously.' "

 

Buyer beware!!  Check it out in detail, in advance.  Prepare accordingly.  Venice is too good to mess up.  Right?

 

Full story at:

https://www.express.co.uk/travel/cruise/1763844/holiday-ravenna-venice-port-nightmare?int_source=amp_continue_reading&int_medium=amp&int_campaign=continue_reading_button

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

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[TLCOhio]

From National Geographic magazine this morning, they had this headline: “Ultimate Italy: 14 ways to see the country in a new light” with these highlights related to near Venice: “Can you really know Venice if you don’t know her lagoon? That’s the question posed by enterprising fishermen on Burano, the island known for its candy-coloured houses, 40 minutes north of the city centre.  Burano’s fishing history dates back to Roman times, and it was one of the first settlements in the lagoon in the early Middle Ages. For centuries, the Buranelli  have been sailing out to net fish and clip herbs from the mudflats, ready to pop into the evening’s risotto.  Several fishermen on the island now take visitors out to explore the lagoon."

 

Wonderful for the idea of risotto and seafood. Sounds tasty!!  Right?  

 

Here is another highlight from this NG profile item: "And what a world — as far from the frothy architecture of Venice as you can get. The north lagoon is a landscape of still waters and long-abandoned islands, where herbs grow beside ruined buildings, and pink flamingos stalk through the shallow waters."

 

Full story at:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/ultimate-ways-to-see-italy

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio   

 

Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 256,295 views.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1362155-solstice-livefirst-timer-reportspix’s-italycroatian-june-7-19/

[Host Bonjour]

On 5/1/2023 at 5:21 PM, TLCOhio said:

Full story at:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/ultimate-ways-to-see-italy

 

**NatGeo piece May 1, 2023 by Julia Buckley.

*Photos by multiple artists. 

[bennybear]

4 hours ago, Host Bonjour said:

 

**NatGeo piece May 1, 2023 by Julia Buckley.

*Photos by multiple artists. 

What a fabulous article,  brings back many great memories.  We were blown away by Genoa, and loved the Ducal city of Urbino.  Many years ago we had a Canadian television show with an Italian Canadian chef, David Rocco.  He combined his love of cooking with visits to some of these more off the beaten path places, and inspired us to visit further afield. 
 

And to further add to the discussion of the lagoon,  we stayed in a rural area midway between Venice and Trieste.  We were able to take a boat tour to some of the many fishing huts that lined the lagoon.  It was totally fascinating, we had no idea of their existence, but some families had them for generations.  Amazing food in that area,  our son was fascinated to see a mantis shrimp on a seafood plate!    It made it very easy to visit Udine, another ducal town.  There is a fascinating town, Palmanova built in a star shape!  So much to see off the beaten path. 

Edited May 4, 2023 by bennybear

[TLCOhio]

On 5/3/2023 at 9:11 PM, bennybear said:

What a fabulous article,  brings back many great memories.  We were blown away by Genoa, and loved the Ducal city of Urbino.  And to further add to the discussion of the lagoon,  we stayed in a rural area midway between Venice and Trieste.  We were able to take a boat tour to some of the many fishing huts that lined the lagoon.  It was totally fascinating, we had no idea of their existence, but some families had them for generations.  Amazing food in that area,  our son was fascinated to see a mantis shrimp on a seafood plate!    It made it very easy to visit Udine, another ducal town.  There is a fascinating town, Palmanova built in a star shape!  So much to see off the beaten path. 

 

Appreciate these additional comments and follow-up from the experienced bennybear.  

 

From MSN News earlier this past week, they had this headline: “17 Fun Things To Do In Venice” with these highlights: “We loved Venice, the vibe, the canals  The city is located on 118 islands that are separated by 150 canals. It really does feel like a city on the water! A lot of the islands are connected by 400 footbridges while some of them like Burano and Murano you have to take a boat to get to them in the Venetian Lagoon.  You will only find four bridges that cross the Grand Canal. And won’t miss the 400+ gondolas that are floating through the canals all around the city.”

 

Interesting data and background.  One of the tips is for: "riding on the Grand Canal public water bus (vaporetto). It was packed with people using it as a bus to get around Venice.  We paid attention and quickly grabbed the seats at the front and got out my phone to open the Rick Steves Grand Tour app on my phone. His tour lasts 45 minutes – starting from the Piazzale Roma and bringing you just past St Marks Square."

 

Plus, this option: "We started the day with a trip to the fish market at the Rialto Market. It was quite the experience. There are all kinds of different fish just sitting out. I mean fish we have never seen before!  Plus there is blood on the ground from the fish and a definite fishy smell! Once of the crazy things is that when the market is done they clean it all up and you could barely tell it was there."

 

They gave mention for Teatro la Fenice, the Opera House that had a long history of being destroyed or damaged by fire and rebuilt.  In our 1970 first visit there in Venice,we stayed in a hotel next door to this famed performing arts center.  

 

Full story at:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tripideas/17-fun-things-to-do-in-venice-italy-2-day-itinerary-included/ar-AA1al5WJ

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 246,894 views.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

[TLCOhio]

Earlier on this thread, there was a great suggestion about Roger Crowley's book titled "City of Fortune" related to Venice and its incredible history from the period when it "ruled the seas". It took me some time, but yesterday, I completed reading this 383-page book.  

 

Fascinating and enlightening are two quick summary words for this book by a skilled, highly-detailed historian.  I always knew Venice had a great background in its rise for power and wealth.  His writings explained much more as to exactly how and why.  Plus, what happened when it started to change around 1500 as the "tides" shifted as the powerful Turkish Sultans pushed them out in the eastern Med and as Portugal was finding a cheaper/better way to bring back spices from India and the East.  Being rich and powerful could not be sustained indefinitely.

 

Much of the early history involves Constantinople, how Venice fought and gained its power and position in that key location as a link/base between Europe and Asia, plus how it allowed more trading involving areas around the Black Sea.

 

In the Middle Ages, Venice started its wealthy path through its control of trade between Europe and the East, began to expand into the Adriatic Sea. Venice became involved in the Crusades from the very beginning that took many tangled twists.  In the 12th century, they built a large national shipyard that became known as the Venetian Arsenal.  With such skill and creativity in building new and powerful fleets, the republic was able to take control over the eastern Mediterranean.

 

Until reading this book, I had forgotten about the battles Venice had with Genoa, another powerful Italian City-State, plus tangling with the Pope and dealing with other Europe nations who wanted to re-take the Holy Lands from Islamic forces.  It's a long, long history with many victories and defeats.  Plus, I did not realize how slavery worked in those days, plus the brutality of warfare during this period.  It was not all a pretty or nice story.  Lots of lives and fortunes were lost from the many wars and accidents in rough seas.  

 

Greece plays an important part in this history of Venice.  Lots of depth was shared for how it all fitted together, who controlled whom at what time period, etc.  To say it is a complicated history is a massive understatement. 

 

Also, the author credits Venice for the way it operated, kept records, managed an early, rough form of "Democracy", their use of legal "due process", the ethical standards used during this period, their diplomatic skills, etc.  Yes, it was also ALL about money and wealth, too!!  Nobody was richer than Venice at its peak.  

     

The "LION" was the key symbol as the Venice power and control rose up higher and higher.  Below is offered some of my visuals of that symbol for their Venetian Republic.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 243,085 views.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1896175-solstice-live-australianzhawaii-many-pix’s-jan-20-feb-3/

 

In Montenegro, here was the Venice Lion on one of the fortresses the built and used in that region to assert their authority.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

 

Within Venice, including at St. Marks, below are some different uses of the Lion as a symbol for this powerful City-State.:

 

 

 

 

A key part of the history for Venice involves how the "Horses of Saint Mark" were brought back as loot from Constantinople in 1204.  To the victors belong the spoils?  Outside now at Saint Mark, these horse at the top are actually replicates.  On the inside, shown below, are the originals as "borrowed" (or stolen) from Constantinople.:

 

[TLCOhio]

From the London/UK Mirror two days ago, they had this headline: “Warning for Brits heading to Venice after tourists charged £37 for coffee and water" with this sub-headline: "UK tourists have been warned about the dangers of being overcharged in Venice after unlucky diners were hit with bills in the hundreds and even thousands of pounds,”

 

Here are some of their reporting highlights by Ryan Merrifield and Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas: “Known around the world for its stunning and romantic scenery, over a million visitors travel to Italy's floating city every year to explore its maze of charming streets and its gondola-laden waterways.  But the bucket-list destination has also picked up a reputation for leaving some unlucky diners seriously out of pocket when unscrupulous business owners overcharge them for a simple coffee or a small bite to eat.  In an incident at a restaurant, one British tourist claimed he and his elderly parents were conned into running up a massive £463 lunch bill after dining on lobster and oysters at a popular spot in the city.”

 

Is the rule for Venice and other locations, "Buyer Beware"??

 

Full story at:

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/warning-brits-heading-venice-after-30127186

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio   

 

Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.).  Now at 71,505 views:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2076101-live-amazon-river-caribbean-many-pix’s-terryohio/

[TLCOhio]

Venice turning green??  Saw items on NBC-TV's Today Show about this question. Is this historic part of Italy become Ireland?  

 

From MSN News and USA Today earlier this past week, they had this headline: “What turned Venice's Grand Canal green over the weekend? Authorities identify substance” with these highlights by Camille Fine: “A blob of fluorescent green water that appeared in Venice’s iconic Grand Canal over the weekend has spurred an official investigation.  On Sunday morning, water taxis and gondolas waded through a patch of fluorescent green water that appeared to grow slowly near the landmark Rialto Bridge, an act that Venetian authorities suspect could be linked to environmental activist groups.  No group has claimed responsibility for the green liquid that appeared in the water. While local police investigate a number of leads, officials are 'conducting analysis to establish the nature of the substance in the water.'  Quartz' Ananya Bhattacharya reported that the substance dumped in the waters has been identified as fluorescein, an organic dye commonly used for diagnosing eye problems that poses no risk of pollution.”

 

Full story at:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/what-turned-venices-grand-canal-green-over-the-weekend-authorities-identify-substance/ar-AA1bTv8A

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Late Summer 2022, many scenic visuals and details from Canada Maritimes doing Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton Island, etc., via a Tauck land tour.  Visual Summary:

www.flickr.com/photos/196555480@N08/albums

[cruisemom42]

6 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

From the London/UK Mirror two days ago, they had this headline: “Warning for Brits heading to Venice after tourists charged £37 for coffee and water" with this sub-headline: "UK tourists have been warned about the dangers of being overcharged in Venice after unlucky diners were hit with bills in the hundreds and even thousands of pounds,”

 

Unfortunately these predatory practices have been reported in nearly all major tourist destinations. I can think of a few from Rome including 35 euros for a gelato (it was huge and had just about every topping in the store), and meals involving fresh fish or special cuts of beef where tourists were charged hundreds of euros.  The businesses involved tend to target those who leave their common sense and "street smarts" at home when traveling...or who don't make themselves aware of certain practices and scams ahead of time.

 

Some advice (particularly for Italy but some may apply elsewhere):

 

-- Never order a "special" or an unpriced menu item without fully understanding what the cost of it will be.

 

-- Meat and fresh seafood are usually priced at so much per (unit of measure). Understand the cost for the size piece or pieces you are getting. The menu may say something like 8 euros for 100 grams. Fuddled non-metric savvy Americans probably don't stop to calculate how much 100 grams actually is. In the US (land of the large restaurant serving), you'd probably expect to see at least 300 grams of fish on your plate. Your waiter may even show you the raw portion to get your "okay" without bothering to explain that the serving is 3-4 times more than the 100 grams listed, so will cost 3-4 times more....

 

-- Any fees in addition to the cost of your food and drinks MUST be listed on the menu, but they can often be nearly hidden (e.g., small print, bottom of page or on back page, etc.). Some regions of Italy allow certain regular fees to be added (the often mentioned "pane e coperto" or "bread and cover" charge), others don't. Sometimes a service charge may also be added -- make sure it is reasonable. Two diners from Japan got caught out a few years back by an unscrupulous restaurant (with many posted warnings online, BTW) that charged them 429 euros for a fish lunch -- and that included an 80 euro service charge!

 

-- The above brings up another point. Now that we virtually all travel with smartphones, check out a restaurant's online reviews before you decide to eat there. It only takes a moment.

 

-- Never pay without first being given an official printed receipt and comparing it to menu prices.

 

-- Be wary of restaurants with menus in more than one language. You may find they also have more than one price -- with lower prices on the Italian language menu. (I've actually seen this one.)

 

-- The same rule about knowing the price holds true for gelateria and also for ordering wine. Don't fall prey to thinking "how much can it be -- I'm on vacation, I want to splurge."  

 

-- Also understand that in Italy there are different prices for takeaway and "standing" orders (e.g., ordering and/or eating at the counter) versus orders where you sit down and occupy a table, which will cost a bit more. However, it's often well worth it to rest your feet in a pleasant piazza and people watch. Just don't get upset about it....

 

 

I hope this is helpful. Most restaurants are professionally and honestly run. It's just a few bad apples that prey on tourists...

 

Ciao and mangia bene.

 

 

 

[TLCOhio]

19 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

-- Never order a "special" or an unpriced menu item without fully understanding what the cost of it will be.

-- Meat and fresh seafood are usually priced at so much per (unit of measure). Understand the cost for the size piece or pieces you are getting. The menu may say something like 8 euros for 100 grams. 

-- Any fees in addition to the cost of your food and drinks MUST be listed on the menu, but they can often be nearly hidden (e.g., small print, bottom of page or on back page, etc.). 

-- Now that we virtually all travel with smartphones, check out a restaurant's online reviews before you decide to eat there. It only takes a moment.

-- Never pay without first being given an official printed receipt and comparing it to menu prices.

-- Don't fall prey to thinking "how much can it be -- I'm on vacation, I want to splurge."  

-- Also understand that in Italy there are different prices for takeaway and "standing" orders

I hope this is helpful. Most restaurants are professionally and honestly run. It's just a few bad apples that prey on tourists.

 

Super appreciate ALL of these great comments, warnings, tips and this excellent overall follow-up from the always savvy cruisemom42.  Great wisdom here!!  This can happen in more places than just in Venice.  Be a wise, smart traveler!!

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

[TLCOhio]

From the Wall Street Journal yesterday, they had this headline: “Venice Minus the Mobs: A Traveler’s Guide to Its Quiet (Even Empty) Corners" with this sub-headline: "Instead of hitting the touristy Doges Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica, plan your itinerary around these charming neighborhoods and hype-free restaurants our intensely crowd-averse writer (and frequent Venice visitor) has discovered.”

 

Here are some of their reporting highlights by Tara Isabella Burton: “In summertime, on days so sweltering that the cobblestones themselves seem to sweat, it is almost impossible to walk from Venice’s Rialto Bridge to the Piazza San Marco along the main roads. The surge of day-trippers clog the central pathways. A tourist struggling to haul a suitcase over a bridge is enough to bring a hundred people to a standstill. A 10-minute stroll—by map directions—can take half an hour or more. It’s the Venice so often described, and fairly decried, as a tourist trap: an on-rails carnival, less a city than a conglomeration of souvenir shops.”

 

Get away from the crowds, she details and suggests: "Take an unexpected, even exasperated, left, off the Salizada S. Giovanni Grisostomo or the Calle del Lovo, and you are as likely as not to find yourself alone. Turn a blind alley, until you can no longer hear the sound of footsteps. You may find yourself in an unmarked square at a hidden eatery, like my own found favorite, Osteria il Milion, named for Marco Polo (“Il Milione,” Venetians called him), who had a palazzo nearby. The restaurant is a place where the waitstaff remembers your order year after year.  Intoxicatingly labyrinthine, Venice is indeed most easily navigated through its obvious arteries.  But if you’re willing to get a little lost and leave the thronging nexus of the San Marco area behind, I know few cities better for silence."

 

Full story at:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/venice-travel-guide-quiet-corners-287b1b12?mod=life_work_lead_pos1

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 54,237 views. Featuring Cape Town, South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337