Venezia Revisited

SIL wanted to visit Venice so off we went to the beautiful city. We'll never tire of Venice, it's really gorgeous, though I wouldn't want to live there, I have a bit of a phobia for water and I do not see how I could live in a place filled with tourists and no big supermarkets.

View of Venice from our parking

We would spend a night and 2 days in Venice though the cost of parking the car was exhorbitant and Hub grumbled quite a bit about it. Not that you have much choice. There are only about 3 car parks and whether you stay 2 hours or 24 the cost is about the same (e.g. 22-28 euros).

Cathedral at St Mark's Square

It was sunny when we were there - but also very very cold and windy. MIL and the Hub both had to buy gloves and bonnets upon arrival, they wouldn't have survived otherwise.

No Spitting Sign in Public WC at St Mark's Square

We walked. For hours and hours. Didn't take the boat at all this time. The babies walked really well though after a few hours they finally realised something was amiss and started to ask to be carried. Hub and I took turns and now have sore necks and backs. So much for not bringing the stroller along.

View from Osteria Anice Stellato

We had lunch in a lovely restaurant (Osteria Anice Stellato) off the beaten track that was mentioned in the Michelin guide. It specialises in seafood dishes and is really good. Venice is one big tourist trap so you do not want to be unprepared when it comes to eating. Or you'll regret it like we've often had.

Mix of Seafood Antipasti

We started out with a mix of their seafood antipasti and I would recommend the Sword Fish in Curry and the Sting Ray in Walnut Sauce. The pasta dishes were also good and Hub and SIL both had the Seafood Risotto that contained tiny pieces of seafood in a delicate broth. MIL and myself we had the Fried Scampi and Calamari (lightly deep-fried but still a bit too much) and I kept eyeing the neighbouring table's Spaghetti alle Vongole that looked really tasty with the clams out of their shells in what looked like a nice garlic-wine sauce.

Fried Scampi and Calamari

On our second day we visited the Museum of Modern Art in the 18th Century-built Palazzo Grassi. I've never been one for the Modern Art (though I've enjoyed the Guggenheim), as it's often obvious and yet not so at the same time so you usually have to depend quite alot on the explanations given by the artist to understand what he's up to. And I nearly had my cards and phone etc demagnetised because I entered this room without first reading whatever was written about the exhibit (wanting to figure it out myself first)!

Palazzo Grassi

We wanted to visit the Grassi Palace because François Pinault bought it in 2005 to house his private art collection (so we've been told). But in fact he is only just preparing to exhibit them next June in another Venetian building La Mer des Douanes. In any case I think I'll stick to the Impressionists, they're still my favourite.

Love the marble façade

We left Venice in the late afternoon - without having done any shopping once again. SIL and the Hub made a potent military marching combination. Too bad for MIL and myself, we were quite set on buying a few of those Murano glass jewellery to give away as presents and it was frustrating to have to leave empty-handed.

Osteria Anice Stellato

3272 Fondamenta de la Sensa

Venezia

Tel : 039 041720744