Venice
20 July 2016 | Venice, Italy
Debbie
Venice is, as most of you know, is one of the most interesting and beautiful cities in the world. What you might not know is that she celebrates her 500th birthday this year.
We berthed our catamaran, Escapade, on the island of Certosa directly across from St. Marks Square and minutes away from everything by water taxi. The island served as a naval base for many years and has now been turned into a park. Venetians arrive on the weekends to let their dogs run and escape the hoards of tourists that have enveloped the city sights. The marina was inexpensive around 75 Euros per night. Significantly less than in Sardinia, Almafi Coast and all of Croatia and Montenegro!
I had been to Venice twice before by land, but visiting on your own boat is an entirely different and much better experience. I loved being in such a beautiful place that really has not changed all that much in the last 500 years. We met my sister Patty at VCE, San Marco Airport, and took a water taxi directly to our pontoon. The canals immediately transport you back to the origins of life in Venice. There are boats everywhere and in every shape and size. Imagine that everything coming in and going out is transported via the canals. A dinghy ride in Venice is not for the faint of heart, a freeway of boats in every size all trying to navigate through the small waterways that connect the city.
One of the most memorable days of our time spent in Venice was our private tour of the glass blowing factory, Zanetti ,on the island of Murano. Our guide Sylvia Scarpa +39 349 1917653 who is third generation Muranese introduced us to Damien Farnea whose father and grandfather were both master craftsmen and had owned the business for generations. Glass blowing on the island of began in 1291. To this day many of the craftsman in Murano date back 3-4 generations. We watched a team of five make a Golden Lion which is the mascot on the crest of the Venetian flag. Like crew on a boat each member of the team had a specific and integral role while the Master Craftsman, the helmsman, applied the artistic touches. It was quite a dance with movement coming from five different directions and the piece in progress going in and out of the roaring furnace. Overcooking causes the glass to crack and as such timing is essential to having the glass warmed just at the right temperature to allow the Master to facilitate the design. The Master is the only one seated, surrounded by his tools that shape and add detail to the molten glass. There is continuous rolling, shaping and blowing from the team in unison and without any dialogue.
Within three hours the Lion was finished and resting comfortably in an oven at 500 degrees to cool down. Zanetti’s and the glass it produces are exceptional. Truly works of art and treasures to be enjoyed for life. Unfortunately living on a boat and crossing oceans is not the right environment for this type of purchase.
Much more crowded in Croatia now than it was earlier in the season but with over a 1000 islands there are so many anchorages you don’t have to get stuck in a crowd. There is something for everyone here…warm crystal clear water surrounded by beautiful medieval villages with great hiking and biking. Small protected inlets for paddle boarding with water so clear you can see to the bottom.
The differences between Croatia and Italy are interesting. Croatia has all of the natural beauty, great anchorages and beautiful historical towns. Italy has better food and wine, but Italy’s real plus is that the people are so warm and friendly. The Croatians are friendly, too, but nobody is as warm as the Italians. And it makes a difference.
We were surprised to finally start seeing some boats flying American flags, but when approaching these boats to engage with some fellow Americans we were surprised when they turned out to be Russians and Israelis. Imagine using the American flag as a flag of convenience.
We have no idea what we are going to do next, as we change our plans every few minutes. Having had problems with our French Long Stay Visa, we are thinking about trying to get one from the more friendly Italians!
----debbie 08/12/2016