♥ I LOVE Venice!! ♥
Ah, la Serenissima…you are magical! I’ve been longing to return and succumb, once more to your charms. No matter the weather, the crowds, the naysayers…whatever… You will always hold a special place in my heart.
Won’t you stroll through enchanting Venice with me? And, I want to share why this visit was all the more special…
Footnote: My visit ended just days before the horrific acqua alta. Venice, as always, has and will endure…
There are some places that capture our imagination and our heart, places that “speak” to us, places that we long to return to…
Venice is all of that and much, much more for me. Her magic never tarnishes or fades in my eyes and I was thrilled to return once more…
I don’t know how many times I’ve tried to capture her magnificence and splendor. She flirts and poses at every turn…
Why this visit was all the more special…
Returning to Venice included returning to visit my dear friends and talented artisans:
♦ Marco & Alessio Jovan, Gioielleria Eredi Jovan ♦
Please CLICK and read more about Marco and how he honors the tradition of making beautiful cameos and jewelry.
♦ Marisa Convento, Venetian Dreams ♦
Please CLICK and read more about Marisa, her dedication to the tradition of the impiraressa, and her exquisite designs…
♦ Meeting my friend, Shannon! ♦
What could be more special than meeting a friend in Venice?!
Shannon Kenny is a friend from Santa Barbara and she is Co-Founder & CEO of Prontopia. Prontopia is a fabulous new app that helps travelers connect with locals. She launched the app in Venice and over a few glasses of wine, we agreed to connect in Venice and I could personally experience Prontopia!
And I did and it’s terrific! After a long day of travel, I never would’ve been able to navigate getting to my hotel from Venice airport (it has grown tremendously since my last visit)! But thanks to Eloisa & Federica, it was a pleasure!
Over the next days, I met Ilaria and other wonderful locals and along with a new friend, Karina of Karina Dresses, we explored Venice and Florence together and celebrated Prontopia’s launch in Florence (more about that in my next blog post)…
And, I’m very pleased that Prontopia is a Friend & Trusted Travel Partner of Victoria!
♦ Take Walks (formerly) Walks of Italy ♦
As if all of that weren’t enough, the finale to this marvelous visit was an after hours tour of St. Mark’s Basilica! Truly a “must do” and an incredible “insider’s” visit to this breathtaking church...
I remember my first visit to St. Mark’s many many years ago, without the lines and crowds, when you could take your time and really appreciate its grandeur. You could even light candles… But today that is no longer possible and you are literally herded through.
To be in a small group and, with a passionate local guide, to able to learn more about its remarkable history and story, and to have the time to truly immerse in its splendor was something I will never forget…and is definitely an experience with Take Walks that I highly recommend!
I’m delighted to recommend Take Walks, a Friend & Trusted Travel Partner of Victoria!
♦ NEW Friends of Victoria in Venice! ♦
Wish You Were Here?
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2 thoughts on “♥ Italy Redux: Postcard from Venice! ♥”
So beautiful! What a great thing being able to meet up with people through Prontopia! Looks like you had, once again, a marvelous experience! And glad to hear you missed Aqua Alta!
Grazie, Phyllis…
Indeed it was another wonderful visit and enhanced by reconnecting with local friends and meeting new friends vis-a-vis Prontopia. Very relieved to have missed aqua alta and all of the horrific storms but, of course, heartbroken for the families of the victims and all affected…
Lovely to have you stop by again! I’ve missed you!
V.
P.S. New post on Florence visit just published ;-D
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