It is the Autumn of the year (even though we are still swimming and wearing sandals in South Florida) and I would so enjoy being back in one of my favorite cities in the world, Venice.
Our last visit was in November and it was perfection. It rained a bit, but it only added to the sheer joy of that perfect city.
Well,if we can not be there in person, British Brian and Mo to the rescue. Come on, let us peek in on their recent sashay all 'round that little slice of heaven-on-earth.
Now, Brian sent along some of his photos and they were excellent, but I chose to drop in a few of Gaz and I, just to soothe the soul (ours) and make us feel closer to all things Italian. I am certain those zany Brits don't mind, in the least, us horning our way into their trip (we're American, so what else would anyone expect?).
Oh, and just for good measure, let me also drop in this little promo clip of a movie that was NOT a hit, but I watch it on loop just to see Venice.
Read on...
Contributed by: Brian Wilson
United Kingdom
All rights reserved and copyrighted.
Before I start on these remmisances, let’s go back a bit.
Mo and I wanted a late summer break – we have had a very hectic summer – we wanted to revisit Venice and Istanbul – we wanted lots of things to do, rather than time at sea.
Remember that marvellous voyage around the Caribbean (where we met some very nice American couples from Florida)? – well, we wanted to go with Cunard again.
So, trawling through the Internet I found a 12 day trip, with The Queen Victoria covering Venice, Split (Croatia) Corfu, Athens, Istanbul, Rhodes, Santorini and back to Rome – and flights out and back home were included!
Venice – La Serenissima – the Grand Canal winds it’s way between these group of islands.
I tracked the prices and found some very “interesting” offers. So, we thought we would jump at this chance to find out what the Princess Grill “experience” was really like.
We knew that the “Grills Experience” meant that our stateroom would be larger and situated amidships – that we could dine at any time in the evening (well up to 9.30 start anyhow) – that we would have priority check in – that we had a welcome meeting with the Captain – and that we could have afternoon tea – and lots more.
Where we about to be disappointed? – let’s find out!!
The Queen Victoria – our Princess Grill Stateroom was amidships on the 7th Deck.
Day 1 of our voyage was to fly Heathrow to Venice – well someone has to do it!!
We took off at 12.50 (British Airways (chartered by Cunard) – what a civilised time –and we landed at Marco Polo, Venice at 16.00hrs (don’t forget Italy is 1 hour ahead of the UK).
The highlight of the flight was flying over the Alps – the sky was blue, there were no clouds and the sun was shining, so the mountains were as clear as a bell (many still with snow on their tops).
You felt you could reach out and touch them.
We left an autumnal day in London and arrived at a balmy 24 degrees Centigrade in Venice – oh the delights of warmth!!
Once we had cleared Customs we were on our way to The Queen Victoria – the “booking in” procedures were very slick.
Soon, we were resting in our stateroom, it was everything that the brochure said it would be, we had plenty of room – and a larger bathroom with bath and a shower!
There was a bottle of sparkling wine waiting for us – this is the life!!
Our Princess Grill Stateroom
We were soon at our table for 6 guests at 7.30 pm.
Greeting us there was a couple from Florida – yes, yet another couple from Florida! –and a couple who live just 80 miles from us in the UK! – the other 2 people could not make the trip (I hope that all was well with them).
So let’s start with the food.
We remembered from our March cruise, (where we had a Balcony stateroom) – that the food in the Britannia Restaurant was excellent – as was the company.
But, this time – in The Princess Grill – we could choose what time we ate – we were not tied to 6.30/8.30.
The Service was attentive and, as for the food, well what can we say.
The choices facing us were worthy of the best of restaurants – and the cooking and presentation could not be faulted.
The Princess Grill Restaurant – our table was by the window – oh what views.
I had one of the best steaks I have ever had and Mo, who chose the Dover Sole, was lost for words (well almost!!).
So far so good – we settled down for our night’s sleep.
Day 2 was a full day in Venice
Now, we have visited Venice a number of times, so, after paying ”homage” to San Marco, we struck out. away from the crowds.
Looking from the Grand Cabal to San Marco – with the Campanile on the left and the Doge’s Palace on the right.
Now here’s a tip – if you want to see the less crowded parts of Venice, do not follow the crowds.
When we came to a junction in the pathways, or a side street comes into view, look at which direction are the crowds going, then strike out in the opposite direction!!
As long as you have a map, you cannot get lost in Venice but, if you follow our “rule of thumb”, you’ll find less people – and cheaper shops, café’s etc – the Venice of the Venetians.
There are some beautiful sights in Venice (my darling Mo alongside the Doge’s Palace).
We took a “waterbus” or Vaporatti along the Grand Canal – it is the only way to see the beauty of this unreal world.
There are so many Palaces – so much to see - the Venice of a bygone age
But a warning – if you want to stay in a flat or rent a room in one of the big Hotels on The Grand Canal, be prepared to pay a high price.
A market in Venice – you go shopping on foot, or by boat.
If you are a typical tourist and do not mind the cost – try a gondola – we gave it a miss.
These boats are made to an age-old design that isn’t symmetrical, as the Gondoliers stand at one side of the boat to “paddle” and steer.
Lots of tourists, especially people from Japan, were being ferried by Gondola – and some had Venetians singing “O Solo Mio” as the barcarolle (the correct term for a song by Gondoliers.
Those with a “musical bent” will know that “O Solo Mio’ is a Neapolitan song – ah well you cannot have everything
Gondoliers have to take care when navigating around Venice.
We then went onto the other islands in the lagoon – Murano – you know the one that produces all that lovely glass
Ok we had to have yet another coffee and just enjoyed our favourite pastime – watching the world go by.
Back to The Queen Victoria for one of the highlights of our trip – the leaving of Venice..
Now,I know it may seem a bit silly to highlight the leaving of Venice - but wait – we left our berth at Marittima and sailed majestically along the Canale della Guidecca until we came upon the heart of Venice: - St Marks Square (Piazza and Duomo San Marco, the Doges Palace and the Main Waterfront
Our Stateroom was on the 7th floor on the port side, so we could see all this while drinking a “G and T” - we thought of you both and raised a glass.
Goodbye to Venice – the evening light was so soft, creating a mystical image.
We then steamed out across the Venetian Lagoon and onwards to Croatia
If our trip had stopped there we would have been “very happy bunnies” – but we knew that more was to come.
© B. Wilson 13/10/11
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