Back from Venice

Lydia · Post by **Lydia** » Wed May 12, 2010 9:34 am

Hi All,

Missed you - just got back from a week in Venice, Italy. It took me most of an hour to get throughall the posts here that I missed because the hotel Wi-Fi was on the fritz.

Venice is a remarkable and unique city - in fact it is a conglomeration of over 300 islands connected by about over 100 bridges. You either walk there or you take a water taxi or gondola (latter is horribly expensive). People are very friendly and most will speak a bit of English. Italian is not the language there, but a totally different dialect called Venetian. Food is magnificent ! Best to eat at a small trattaria. Local wines are delightful, and especially the Prosecco - surpasses French Champagne.

My SO (Paula) and I arranged the whole trip ourselves, with private giuides. It was a fantastic trip. My one regret is that Lydia did not come along (except for a pink nightie). A word of warning: Everything is obscenely expensive, even with a weakened Euro.

Good to be home, and keeping up with all my sisters here.

Hugs & Ciao

Lydia

SilverLady(SO) · Post by **SilverLady(SO)** » Wed May 12, 2010 10:44 am

Welcome back, Lydia!!

Glad you had a wonderful trip, hon! I would like to visit Venice someday, half of my ancestors are from Venice (mom's side). I know I still have distant cousins in the 'old country' as only half of my grandmother's siblings crossed the pond with their parents, my nonni and 3 other girls (my great aunts) were born here and they have never met their older siblings.

Ah, well.

So, how much weight did you gain with all that great food and wine you consumed?!?

Hugs, girlfriend!!

- SL

Post by **DonnaT** » Wed May 12, 2010 11:28 am

back, Lydia!

Where do they grow the grapes to make the local wine?

Post by **KimberlyS** » Wed May 12, 2010 12:29 pm

Welcome back. Glad you were able to make the trip and had a good time.

kimberlys cd
joe in a skirt

Lydia · Post by **Lydia** » Wed May 12, 2010 12:47 pm

DonnaT wrote:

Where do they grow the grapes to make the local wine?

Local reds and whites are from nearby Tuscany - along with the delicious Montalcino and Multipulciano. Prosecco is grown in the surrounding Veneto area.

I first learned about Prosecco from the books of Donna Leon. It is a luscious sparkling wine with none of the pretentiousness of Champagne. Has become available in the US even in supermarkets.

By the way - I did not gain an ounce - but ate and drank with no inhibitions.

Hugs.

Lydia

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Wed May 12, 2010 1:48 pm

Dear Lydia

I am glad you dodged the volcanic ash cloud and made it home safe and sound. Yes Venice is a unique city with a lot of history attached (I doubt I need to tell you that) but like most touristy places they have one hand in your purse from the moment you arrive.

HUGS

Carol Ann · Post by **Carol Ann** » Thu May 13, 2010 6:28 am

welcome home my dear we all missed you.

Absaroka · Post by **Absaroka** » Thu May 13, 2010 6:46 am

Glad you had fun. I'd love to go there someday.

CJ · Post by CJ » Thu May 13, 2010 6:59 am

Welcome back, Lydia.

I just came back from India, myself, a coupla weeks ago and, although it's fun to leave the homeland for a spell, it's always good to return. Seems there are more problems elsewhere in the world than in North America right now. Or am I biased?

I hope you enjoyed your "eye-talian" week. Now pay your debts, girl!

Love,
CJ

Anita · Post by **Anita** » Thu May 13, 2010 9:56 am

Welcome back, Lydia. It's great that you could eat and drink as you wanted on this vacation--that's a plus, no matter where you go.

Leeza · Post by **Leeza** » Thu May 13, 2010 12:07 pm

Welcome home, Lydia. I am glad you enjoyed the trip.

Leeza

Absaroka · Post by **Absaroka** » Fri May 14, 2010 7:15 am

CJ you're not biased. Travel lets us know how good we have it here.

Zari

Kyra · Post by **Kyra** » Sun May 16, 2010 9:51 am

Hi Lydia,
It's good you made it home safe and sound. I'm glad you had a wonderful time. I've never been, but my Sister-in-law has and talks of her experiences there.
I have not tried Prosecco, but then, I'm not much into Champagne either. I'll keep it in mind, though. Thanks for sharing a bit about your trip. We're glad you're back.

Hugs,
Kyra