Every Summer Has Its Story…Continued!

My story started in Sicily and continues in Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic.

I flew from Sicily to Venice and boarded the SS La Venezia, a small UniWorld cruise ship which sails around Venice. The eight day itinerary was full of opportunities to explore Venice and enjoy sailing the Venetian Lagoon on a very cool ship.

Knowing there would be a wealth of information to write about delighted me. After all, every summer has its story, and exploring Venice from an elegant floating hotel would offer me everything needed to tell mine. Venice has so many juicy stories to tell.

There is Saint Mark’s Basilica…..

I wouldn’t want to forget the Doge’s Palace…..

or the Bridge of Sighs…..

AND sooooooo many more!!!!

I was on information overload before I even picked up a pen. Enter Elizabeth and her wife, Kristy, to rescue me from information fatigue….. Elizabeth and Kristy were my fellow onboard travelers and are my new to become lifelong friends.

At dinner one evening, Elizabeth posed the question, “What are the highs and lows of your travel adventure so far?” This question caused me to reflect not on the iconic sites of Venice, but on little mentioned, glorious sites overshadowed by them…. like the little, storybook island town of Burano, a perfect example of a Venetian hidden secret. Burano is an island located in the northern end of the Venetian Lagoon. The town is known for its exquisite handmade lace. Talented ladies can be seen outside their homes sitting in the shade with pillows on their laps. The special cushion is called a tombolo, and it is used to support the work as the intricate patterns are created.

The lace has an old world elegance for good reason. Women, skilled in creating the lace, learned as youngsters. Handing down the skill to younger women is crucial to keeping the art of handmade lace alive.

Although lacemaking in Burano is the main craftsmanship attraction, the absolute charm of the island rests in its colorful houses. The houses are built closely together with the colors varying from house to house.

The hanging laundry totally adds to the delight of the houses.

The colorful houses are reflected in the canals. The reflection creates an unforgettable sight. No wonder island fishermen, returning with their catch, seek out the sight of their homes by the colors.

Small shops located on the canal tempt shoppers with smells and sights…..

but for certain, the best sights are the ones about “authentic” daily life taking taking place in Burano.

The ancestral estate of Tenuta Ca’Zen has no shortage of charm and ELEGANCE. It is a Venetian villa on the Po Delta, near the largest river in Italy. This home has been in the same family for generations. The poet, Lord Byron, and Teresa Guiccioli used the villa as secret romantic retreat. This villa, the surrounding area, the Po River and Teresa inspired Byron to write Stanzas to the Po.

A charming matriarch

greets visiting guests, like this Unseasoned Traveler, who are in search of little explored parts of Italy and allows them to roam her home….including the stables.

The island of Torcello is quiet and remote. More waterfowl than people live on this island located at the northern edge of the Venetian Lagoon. At one time, this tiny island, also called the Mother of Venice, was a refuge for people escaping invading barbarian tribes. On Torcello, it was the water that protected them and made possible a thriving spiritual and civic life. It is this same salinated water that is the current enemy of the ancient artifacts on Torcello. Groups like Save Venice have worked hard to rescue and preserve what is left of Santa Maria Assunta Basilica, a church founded in 639, and one of the oldest churches in Europe (older than Saint Mark’s Basilica). The work is ongoing because the enemies, water and salt, are fierce enemies, indeed.

Going to Torcello is soooooo very worthwhile because what you get to see is AMAZING. There are many important mosaics inside the church, but the most dramatic one is called The Last Judgement. It was built between the 12th and 13th centuries and occupies the entire back facade of the church.

These magnificent mosaic pictures had lessons to teach…especially to those who could not read. The most frightening lesson is located in the lower right corner. This visual of hell must have been compelling to most worshipers.

Chioggia is often called Little Venice. It is like Venice, but more relaxed and less polished. A lot of the housing is vintage World War II, having been constructed after the war as part of a rebuild of Italy.

We visited Chioggia on a Thursday…which just happened to be a laundry day,

but more importantly, market day. Anything can be purchased at the Chioggia Market…rugs, shoes, clothes, plants……

and fish. The fish market is exceptional.

This area is said to be the birthplace of the spritz, so we had to try them, of course.

As usual, the best thing about junketing is the people encountered along the way…..like David, who was born in Nigeria, but currently lives in London.

Or this mother daughter duo…we met them in Padua, the third largest city in Venice. They shared that their husband/father attended medical school in Padua.

And, of course, our new friends, Elizabeth and Kristy….Guess what???? They are from Herndon, Virginia…about seven miles from where we live.

Collecting memories and friends….WELL….I continue to believe that we are more alike than we are different….really! Look for me next week in Florence.

Love, The Unseasoned Traveler