Exotica has been comfortably moored for four weeks in our quiet marina Veneto di Venezia on the tranquil island of Certosa less than twenty minutes from the heart of Venice.
High tide
Low tide, spires of San Marco in the distance
Every day we took the 4.1 vaporetto into San Marco to visit a couple of the hundreds of museums and churches adorned with Titians, Veroneses, Tintorettos and Canalettos. It is not surprising to learn that there are 314 named painters of the Venetian school.
Venice with a View group in the the fresco salon Laconda San Barbaba
For six days we were lucky enough to join a group of music lovers from Sydney spending a few days in Venice before moving to the Bach festival in Leipzig.
Shouldn’t the gondolier be concentrating on steering!
Boarding at Hotel San Barnaba, Duodorso
With them we had some special occasions including a gondola ride, not normally something we would do, but this one was rather special with a brief stop at a canal side hotel’s boat, to take on board two bottles of prosecco and some nibbles.
Five star gondola experience
Vivaldi devoted most of his life to this famous church and orphanage for children of the poor
We also had a specially guided tour of the Pieta and particularly memorable was the night time visit to the Basilica, where, as darkness fell, they turned on the lights to illuminate the amazing golden frescoes on the ceiling. Despite being a Roman Catholic church all the architectural influences in this building come from the orthodox religions further east.
The tide rising in Palazzo San Marco
There are 7 domes in San Marco
San Marco at night
20 Euro Aperol Spritz at Hotel Cipriani. Rooms start at 1,400 Euros!
Cipriani launch
Worth the cost of the drinks for this sunset from the Cipriani launch
Private collection of Murano glass
Hair cut at this extraordinary Venezian salon
The weather has been pretty perfect so far, cool with the occasional shower, so good for sightseeing. It has started to warm up but one is not tempted to dive into the lagoon, however!
8 Euro meal Osteria Bea Vita
Linea D’Ombra
to fine dining, thanks Richard and Vicky
Scary wine list!
Doge Palace on right and prison on left, from the Bridge of Sighs
With our friends, Vicky and Richard Franklin, who joined us on board for four days, we visited the Doge’s Palace and had a spectacular lunch at Linea d’Ombra restaurant overlooking the canal. They are bridge players so each evening, once the sun had set, we sat down to play cards.
Opulance in the Doges Palace
Stuart Skelton starred as Tristan at ENO
Thursday June 23rd we flew back to England for 12 days for a feast of opera. A momentous day for Britain, the shock referendum result to leave the European Union greeted us on the morning of the 24th. The country has remained in turmoil, the journalists having a field day and the politicians at loggerheads but it has not affected our exceptional Wagnerfest!
Quintessential Glyndebourne, before a sensational Die Meistersinger
Taxi to The Ring Cycle at Festival Hall
Opera North’s semi-staged Ring production
The Fielding Private Hotel with Royal Opera House in background
The Ring with Marilyn and Richard Plummer and Margie Jones
Family time at Phee’s renovated cottage
We return to Venice on July 5th and plan to sail to Trieste and the coast of Slovenia.
Julie and Terry Clarke's Sailing Blog 