I needed a little get away……….Venice was calling my name, “CONTESSA CONTESSA come visit the LITTLE CONTESSA IN TRAINING!”It had been years since I had seen her and who better to show me the ropes but one that had lived there for a few years and had visited her entire life as she had grandparents living there.
I went and met up with an old friend of twenty plus years ago named SUE and shared an apartment from 300 years ago…….maybe more.She met me at the VAPORRETA boat stop and we never stopped walking for the next four days!We had PROSECCO in SAN MARCO SQUARE and coffee at FLORIAN.We had a really good time and I was given one of the surprises of a life time when three more of my dear friends of twenty plus years ago took the train up from Florence for the day!See my expression here!Not the best photo of me but it says it all……..screams of JOY and tears every single time I see these women!
Screams of delight upon seeing friends from Florence!
We spent the day catching up, eating and taking the 2 EURO GONDOLA ride across the GRAND CANAL!Thanks to GRACE who was in the know.Do not ask where we did that because I will not be able to tell you, but its there people and believe me thats a bargain!It was sprinkling rain drops but once we sat down in that GONDOLA the sun arrived and ushered us across the canal with aplomb!We spent time chatting, eating and shopping and we even got in the GUGGENHEIM museum!Katharine got me into the OPERA HOUSE even though they were closed for a light test!All of this in just a few hours time.We found a shop that carried FORTUNEY stuff…………yes,I bought a scarf not that day but the day after!It was haunting me!A VERY good souvenir of a VERY lovely day!Here are a few photos for your viewing pleasure…………..I felt like I was in a movie set the entire time I was there!If you haven’t been to VENICE in ITALY it is the time to go!Clean streets clean canals………..beautiful buildings and well the coffee always good here. We are in ITALIA folks, the coffee never disappoints!
GONDOLA crossing the Grand canal.
Contessa with Mary and Katharine at the GUGGENHEIM.
Now, I bet your wondering where that LITTLE CONTESSA in TRAINING is?Well, she deserves a full POST of her own so stay tuned people………….I will write about her tomorrow as I will be up in the early hours again because of this jet lag.As I write it is 2:15 in California in the afternoon and I have been off the bed since 2:00am………the eyes are weary and the head is a bit foggy, but thats okay as I haven’t come down to earth yet as this was just the beginning of my trip; wait until you hear the rest and who joined me and who I met and what I did!!!!!!!!PLEASE STAY SUBSCRIBED!XOXOXO
Penelope Bianchi says
OMIGOD!! I am on the edge of my seat!
This post made me cry!!
I love, love, love Venice! We went on two “Save Venice” trips with Hutton and Tony Duquette (on the first one); and they are my favorite trips of my life !!
I can’t wait to hear more! Can’t make the SFAShow….but going to a Mario booksigning tomorrow in Los Angeles!!
I love those pictures! They are so “YOU”!!!!
contessa says
What is NOT to love about Venice?Zip, Zero,it’s all worth soaking up!
I felt as if I were in a movie set and if that wasn’t enough a painting!Totally gorgeous and of course, those GIRLS from FIRENZE made it all that MORE SPECTACULAR!!!!!
Jody Brettkelly says
Elizabeth you are fabulous – noone can wear yellow and leopard skin hats like you!! And I can’t wait to hear the stories about your wonderful dress and cape in photos you just sent me – you look like true royalty. I have never been to Venice so am traveling there courtesy of you!
La Contessa says
You Go Girl once you get those kids launched!
It’s something to see!Photos do not do it justice!
Baroness says
Positively Fantastic! Benvenuto a casa! Tempo percorsa e tempo ben speso, no? Sei cosi felice e bella!!! Come di consueto… Ti Adoro! La Baronessa
contessa says
MILLIE GRAZIE BARONESS!
I’m IMPRESSED!!!!!!!!!!!!
XOXOXO
foodiefan says
I’m there with Jody Brettkelly – you look amazing!! I don’t know anyone who travels with such an incredible wardrobe as you do! So glamorous! Can’t wait to hear the next installment…the Venice part sounds action packed and full of laughter which is just the way it should be. The jetlag will be over in a week so hang in there!! X
contessa says
OH foodiefan, you are so right about the jetlag!But it is giving me quiet time to write up these posts!
Did better this morning by one hour!Off the bed at 3:00 am!
XOXOX
Piedmont Pembroke Parent says
Dear Contessa,
Ahhh Venice! I am excited to read your post. I can dream of being
there again and be once more captivated by Venice’s charm and beauty.
A place like no other!
Please get some rest and post more photos! The next best thing to
actually standing in Venice and loving it is to live vicariously via
your post,
Can’t wait to hear more!
PBL
La Contessa says
Coming soon PPP…………….working away on more posts now!
XXX
Lisa Self says
How fabulous!!
I loved your email.
Wish I was there!
Hugs to you,
Lisa
contessa says
THANK YOU!
Can you imagine my scream if I saw YOU??!!!
How many years has it been?
Too many!
XOXO
Heather in Arles says
Oh I loved everything about this!!! You are one of a kind and inspire me to no end. So much beauty all around. I will get there one day and until then…More Please!
xoxoxo
contessa says
Another post is in the mail to you right now!
Big Hug.Sorry, we did not connect this trip.I will just have to skip over again!
XXX
patrizia says
Venice adventures bringing smiles!…..now I know what all that cackling sound from the east was about…..Florentine Mary meeting il Contessa in Venizia……hope to meet the ‘Contessa in training’ someday….
contessa says
Perhaps, I can arrange that as she will be coming back to America soon!
sarah says
What a wonderful start to a wonderful holiday. So much fun, so much excitement, I can understand why you did not sleep much in Venice!