Where in the World?

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Where in the World?

April 26, 2015 by jennypellett

There’s not much I can add to what has already been documented and enthused over about the place we visited last weekend on a celebratory city break. And anyway, as I’m feeling inordinately lazy and undisciplined at the moment, I thought a few snaps might suffice.

Well, snaps and some quotations I’ve come across from various people that I reckon sum it up pretty well.

It’s definitely somewhere to visit at least once in a lifetime: it’s magical, surprising, expensive and indulgent. If you go, enjoy to the full.

Fino ad allora…

“In the winter, Venice is like an abandoned theatre. The play is finished, but the echoes remain.”

(Arbit Blatas, sculptor and painter)

“If you read a lot, nothing is as great as you’ve imagined. Venice is — Venice is better.”

(Fran Lebowitz, author)

“Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go.”

(Truman Capote, author)

(…or even this wonderful asparagus, seen at the Rialto market).

“Though there are some disagreeable things in Venice there is nothing so disagreeable as the visitors.” (Henry James, author)

“Streets flooded. Please advise.”
(Robert Benchley, journalist and humourist)

The Grand Canal

And of course, a selection of Venetian glass beads

So when will you be booking your tickets?

61 Responses

on April 26, 2015 at 18:54 | Reply barbtaub

Sigh. I just love Venice!
- on April 27, 2015 at 07:23 | Reply jennypellett
  
  And that’s just about as much as anyone needs to say!
on April 26, 2015 at 19:02 | Reply Lynette d'Arty-Cross

I have been three times and would love to go again. I love it, too! 🙂 Beautiful photos, btw. 🙂
- on April 27, 2015 at 07:24 | Reply jennypellett
  
  Thanks. Definitely go once, then, go again. On subsequent trips the main sights and the crowds can be avoided and you’re free to wander. Venice is a great place for wandering.
on April 26, 2015 at 19:14 | Reply thecontentedcrafter

I have spent a considerable amount of time roaming about Italy over the years and NEVER made it to Venice. Probably unlikely to happen now, but, you know – never say never!
- on April 27, 2015 at 07:26 | Reply jennypellett
  
  No, never say never! And after your recent jaunt I am imagining that anything could happen – as long as the ears can stand it!! Roaming Italy sounds good. We’ve still to discover Florence, I’m pleased to say.
  - on April 27, 2015 at 07:43 | Reply thecontentedcrafter
    
    Florence is why I never made it to Venice – I adore Florence! My heart lives there!!
    - on April 27, 2015 at 08:40 jennypellett
      
      I must do some research on weekend breaks there. Some friends have said they prefer it to Venice.
    - on April 27, 2015 at 09:05 thecontentedcrafter
      
      It definitely has to be experienced Jenny!
on April 26, 2015 at 19:51 | Reply abitofculture

Doubt I’ll ever go anywhere as memorable!
- on April 27, 2015 at 07:28 | Reply jennypellett
  
  I could probably agree with that, although Iceland and Katmandu would be fighting for top spot.
on April 26, 2015 at 20:08 | Reply Just Rod

No. So good you supplied some great images.
- on April 27, 2015 at 07:29 | Reply jennypellett
  
  You’re welcome! Glad my pics gave you a taster anyway 😊
on April 26, 2015 at 20:20 | Reply earthriderjudyberman

Jenny … Beautiful photos. We plan to visit Venice and Rome this summer. I love Robert Benchley’s quote: “Streets flooded. Please advise.” Hope you’re having – or had – a marvelous time. 😉
- on April 27, 2015 at 07:39 | Reply jennypellett
  
  How wonderful. You’ll have an absolute cultural feast – nay, a banquet! Have a fabulous trip with lots of blog posts to follow, I hope 😊
  - on April 27, 2015 at 22:50 | Reply earthriderjudyberman
    
    You betcha! 😉
on April 26, 2015 at 21:01 | Reply Shel Harrington

You had me with the balconies!
- on April 27, 2015 at 07:39 | Reply jennypellett
  
  And there are so many to choose from…
on April 26, 2015 at 21:29 | Reply Denise

I only get the first few paragraphs in my email notification and I thought, “Where can she have gone???” I guessed Rome, so not too far away! Great pictures, paired with some judiciously chosen quotes.
- on April 27, 2015 at 07:41 | Reply jennypellett
  
  Well, you were on the right track, Denise, well done. Thought the quotes sat quite well, so glad you enjoyed them😊
on April 26, 2015 at 22:06 | Reply Heyjude

So, does white asparagus taste the same as green asparagus?
Only had a day trip to Venice. Truly an extraordinary place.
- on April 27, 2015 at 08:38 | Reply jennypellett
  
  It’s more fleshy, and I’ve ever only had it cold as a salad. I prefer the green. We went to Venice for the first time on a day trip years ago from the then Yugoslavia. The journey was by catamaran which was fine going but going back we hit a storm in the Adriatic and it took four hours to get to shore. Memorable for the wrong reasons!
  - on April 27, 2015 at 09:41 | Reply Heyjude
    
    Oh, I feel the pain of your memory! We took a catamaran from Malta to Sicily on a day trip – going back it was rolling from side-to-side and it took twice as long as it should have done! I was not a happy bunny…
on April 26, 2015 at 22:47 | Reply Jill Weatherholt

I could sleep on that balcony and be happy, Jenny! 🙂 Thanks for sharing your beautiful photo. As for the asparagus, it looks wonderful.
- on April 27, 2015 at 08:39 | Reply jennypellett
  
  You’re welcome as always Jill. You could sleep quite peacefully on that balcony, Venice is beautifully quiet at night!
on April 27, 2015 at 01:05 | Reply Marylin Warner

Aw, Jenny, wonderful. Venice is one of my favorite places, followed by Florence and the Blue Grotto. Your pictures make me want to go back NOW, specially the first picture of the windows (it reminds me of where we stayed, but it was a long time ago. Plus, I want to get more beads.
I loved the quotes, too. Brava!
- on April 27, 2015 at 08:43 | Reply jennypellett
  
  Yes, you can never have enough beads, I say.
  I loved the Blue Grotto. We went there when Son was small after doing Pompeii. Very memorable, especially the boat ride there and ducking our heads to get beneath the cave entrance!
on April 27, 2015 at 05:53 | Reply derrickjknight

So you can take photographs
- on April 27, 2015 at 08:41 | Reply jennypellett
  
  Thanks. I try, but it’s easy with an iPad and digital editing 😉
  - on April 27, 2015 at 09:26 | Reply derrickjknight
    
    Never mind the technology. It’s the eye that counts
on April 27, 2015 at 15:28 | Reply Hollis Hildebrand-Mills

Doug and I spent our honeymoon in Venice. It was lovely, decadent and decayed at the same time. Sort of like the first quote! We were there in the winter.
- on April 29, 2015 at 17:42 | Reply jennypellett
  
  That’s exactly it – decadent and decayed – and just the right place for a honeymoon. We went to Paris for ours. Also perfect.
on April 27, 2015 at 20:17 | Reply Andrew

September 🙂

Second year running. Our 4th visit. There is no place like it.
- on April 29, 2015 at 17:43 | Reply jennypellett
  
  Ah good. We can expect some stunning shots, I think.
on April 28, 2015 at 06:51 | Reply kaypickard

I agree with all the quotes and more. Venice is the only place I can think of, where I have actually been stunned by a view that came to life after seeing it in so many pictures in magazines etc. Coming around the corner of the Grand Canal on the first day, the sight of the Basilica (can’t remember the name of it) I literally said “wow” out loud!
- on April 29, 2015 at 17:45 | Reply jennypellett
  
  Yes you’re right, Kay. There is a painting by Canaletto of the Grand Canal, probably painted as if he was sitting on the Academia Bridge. Apart from the motorised taxi boats, the view today hasn’t changed. Wow factor indeed.
on April 28, 2015 at 09:21 | Reply Jacqueline Routledge

Just the most wonderful place. I love Italy in general as there is so much to see, but Venice is very special. Can’t wait to go again.
- on April 29, 2015 at 17:46 | Reply jennypellett
  
  So, question is, when are you going? Such a great place for a wander. And the beads – you could stock up!
on April 29, 2015 at 10:44 | Reply Pairodox Farm

Beautiful images. D
- on April 29, 2015 at 17:47 | Reply jennypellett
  
  Thank you! That’s compliments indeed.
on April 30, 2015 at 14:13 | Reply Sherri

Oh Jenny, what a wonderful break and such beautiful photos (my favourite has to be the blue gondoliers, fab photo that) and I wish I could book my tickets right now! I went to Venice when I was 16 and my mum still has a blue, glass swan from that fascinating glass-blowing factory. Hubby went too when he was young, yet we have never been together! I think it’s about time we remedied that, don’t you? Although I have such a hankering to visit Tuscany and go to Florence, a place that fascinates me for some reason. Ahh…dreaming now…
- on May 2, 2015 at 18:32 | Reply jennypellett
  
  Definitely somewhere to head for Sherri. We have never been to Florence, so that is on our list now of somewhere not to miss! The glass is everywhere from tiny beads to amazing OTT chandeliers. Not sure they would travel too well or look quite as amazing back home as they do in Venice … a bit like bringing French plonk back from holiday and realising it tastes like vinegar 😄
  - on May 5, 2015 at 17:13 | Reply Sherri
    
    Haha 😀
on May 2, 2015 at 15:26 | Reply reocochran

I have been to Spain, which is nothing like Venice. This was such a huge treat and I am belated in writing a comment.
Jenny and your husband, not sure if you took family? Hope this will carry you from Heaven on Earth through the rest of your days.
Just beautiful and perfect. Love the photos and captions from quotations.
My faves were the window box, the gondolas, the scenery, the Venetian beads. Oh heck! I loved the whole ‘shebang!’
- on May 2, 2015 at 18:35 | Reply jennypellett
  
  Your comments made me smile, Robin – I could almost hear your voice there, and I’ve no idea what you actually sound like!
  No, it was just the two of us, wandering around the tiny streets which open out onto unexpectedly massive squares. Plenty of places to stop, have a drink and watch the world go by. Great place for a weekend break.
  - on May 8, 2015 at 20:54 | Reply reocochran
    
    Aw-w! So romantic. I love those tiny streets you see in films along with the narrow little rivers with the buildings which almost seem like they are ‘closing in on you.’ Thanks for telling me about your husband and your Venetian weekend escape and letting me know you can ‘hear my voice,’ Jenny. Maybe someday… smiles!
on May 6, 2015 at 01:38 | Reply reneejohnsonwrites

Reblogged this on Writingfeemail's Blog.
on May 6, 2015 at 01:40 | Reply reneejohnsonwrites

Jenny, I love this blog post. Venice is my favorite city in all of the world. Just seeing your pics made me smile. Fran is right…Venice is better than we can even imagine. And, although you may not know it because I usually visit from my writing blog, I also have a blog devoted to travel, photography, and random events…writingfeemail.com. This was a natural fit for a reblog there and I have done so. Yay.
- on May 6, 2015 at 16:03 | Reply jennypellett
  
  Ah, thank you very much Renee. I must say, I’m mightily impressed with anyone who can keep more than one blog going – I struggle to keep up with this one! I’m going to pop over to your site right away.
on May 6, 2015 at 02:09 | Reply pattisj

Looks wonderful, Renee!
- on May 6, 2015 at 16:03 | Reply jennypellett
  
  Thank you!
on May 6, 2015 at 02:14 | Reply Elyse

I love Venice! I’ll never forget the look on then-8 year old Jacob’ face when we were preparing to go to Florence, a year after visiting Venice.

“You know, Jacob, I read that many Italians think that Florence is their most beautiful city!.”

Jacob looked at me with total incredulity.

“Mom,” he said barely hiding his contempt. “How can anyplace be more beautiful than Venice?”
- on May 6, 2015 at 16:05 | Reply jennypellett
  
  Hello Elyse, thank you for stopping by and commenting – I wonder if you came via Renee’s blog?
  Young Jacob sounds like a lad with good taste – how lovely that he appreciated Venice at such a young age 😊
  - on May 6, 2015 at 16:08 | Reply Elyse
    
    Yes, Jenny, that’s how I found you — and my favorite city!
on May 6, 2015 at 12:43 | Reply aFrankAngle

Venice is wonderful. Two tips … Rick Steves has a great guide book … to have fun, try to get lost.
- on May 6, 2015 at 16:07 | Reply jennypellett
  
  Thanks for the tip. Getting lost is half the fun and because Venice is a relatively small city it’s easy to get ‘un lost’ although we tried and tried to re find a particular square and were completely defeated!
  - on May 6, 2015 at 16:12 | Reply aFrankAngle
    
    Rick Steves suggested trying to get lost because you can’t … you’re on an island! … plus ask anyone about the location of St. Marks or Rialto. 🙂
on May 9, 2015 at 15:26 | Reply Andrea Stephenson

I’ve been a couple of times Jenny and it is beautiful, not to mention atmospheric, but I’ve never been in the winter and have always had a desire to go there then – and I will do, one day!
- on May 10, 2015 at 14:54 | Reply jennypellett
  
  Well, I’ll look forward to your report on the place then Andrea – I think your way with words will do the atmospheric quality of Venice justice. 😉
on May 10, 2015 at 16:09 | Reply whichwaynow101

Beautiful photos and love the quotes! Lazy is good if this post is the result!
- on May 10, 2015 at 18:08 | Reply jennypellett
  
  Oh, thank you Carol, that’s nice of you to say! I can’t get away from the lazy feeling at the moment – writers malaise, I’m kidding myself. Hope to entertain you in the future – thanks for the follow 😊