We prepared for our forthcoming cycling trip around Taiwan by getting our legs in some sort of order but the news each day through January and into February 2020 wasn't good. The Coronavirus was spreading from China to neighbouring countries and finally it reached Taiwan. Taiwan seemed to be coping very well but it became more and more obvious that parts of the country would be closing facilities and tourist sites. We also didn't fancy having to cycle in a surgical mask! After a lot of indecision we finally contacted the travel insurance company and found that we could regain all but about £150 of the money we'd spent so far on the trip. Four days before we were due to go the news worsened and that tipped us into cancelling the trip. It was very disappointing but ultimately proved to be the right thing to do with the virus eventually becoming a pandemic.
Sadly our planned reunion with Paul and Emily Mounsey from Hong Kong was also cancelled.
After cancelling the Taiwan cycling trip due, we booked a last minute trip to Venice - a flight, transfer and hotel package. We've never been to Venice before so it was some consolation for the disappointment of the Taiwan trip's cancellation.
The transfer we'd booked turned out to be a real trip - straight from the airport's taxi port in a luxurious Venetian wooden water taxi to the "watergate" of the hotel, all very upmarket and much appreciated.
Venice lived up to its reputation as one of the loveliest cities in the world, every corner revealed new secrets and treasures. It is the most illogical place really, built on a swamp, chaotic canals for transport of all goods and people but everyone should see it.
Venice more than surpassed our expectations, we struggled to find words to describe just how fascinating it is.
We were probably "lucky" in that the virus outbreak in China meant that there were few Chinese tourists and Venice was quiet.
We were especially fortunate as the weather in February was stunning, cold, bright and clear, but with a mist in the early evening to add to the romance and beauty of the stunning views.
Our French boat friends, Valerie, Phillip and their son Orlan had sailed up to Venice from Spain last Autumn so that they could sort out their Italian citizenship; Phillips parents are Italian. They were staying and working on their boat, Ali Baba, at a marina on an island just off the main city area. They love good food and we were spoilt with their local knowledge of the best food and restaurants - foodie heaven!
One day we took a train to Verona, of Shakespeare fame, took in the famous balcony and the Roman amphitheatre, If we hadn't been spoilt by Venice we would have been impressed, as it was.....
We also took a trip with Valerie and Phillipe to Morano and Burano islands.
Murano is famous for the highest quality glassmaking. Valerie and Phillipe took us to another fabulous restaurant and also introduced us to French emigre, Muriel Balensi, who showed us how she makes Murano glass jewellery. Beautiful stuff.
We had a week of wandering about the alleys and byways, jumping on Vaporetti to get about, eating the most fabulous food and having the obligatory (and expensive) gondola trip - just amazing.
Vivaldi's Four Season piece was written whilst he was in Venice and its celebrated here; we saw a period performance given in an old church - very atmospheric.
Just as we were about to leave we discovered that the Venice Carnival was ramping up to start. Our friends took us on a tour of the masque makers and we got canal-side seats for the opening boat parade. Spoilt again!
Last coffee and cicchetti (Italian tapas) before our water taxi back to the airport.
And as for that mask Carole bought, it now has pride of place on our rhinoceros!
It wasn't Taiwan but not a bad substitute!
Sadly our planned reunion with Paul and Emily Mounsey from Hong Kong was also cancelled.
After cancelling the Taiwan cycling trip due, we booked a last minute trip to Venice - a flight, transfer and hotel package. We've never been to Venice before so it was some consolation for the disappointment of the Taiwan trip's cancellation.
The transfer we'd booked turned out to be a real trip - straight from the airport's taxi port in a luxurious Venetian wooden water taxi to the "watergate" of the hotel, all very upmarket and much appreciated.
Venice lived up to its reputation as one of the loveliest cities in the world, every corner revealed new secrets and treasures. It is the most illogical place really, built on a swamp, chaotic canals for transport of all goods and people but everyone should see it.
Typical Venice traffic jam, two builder wagons, delivery van and two taxis!
The market's loading bay
Venice more than surpassed our expectations, we struggled to find words to describe just how fascinating it is.
We were probably "lucky" in that the virus outbreak in China meant that there were few Chinese tourists and Venice was quiet.
There are some pretty narrow canals there!
The view from St Mark's Campanile tower
An empty St Marks Square.
I got arty with the filters!
The Canal Cannaregio - the area we stopped in.
We were especially fortunate as the weather in February was stunning, cold, bright and clear, but with a mist in the early evening to add to the romance and beauty of the stunning views.
Our French boat friends, Valerie, Phillip and their son Orlan had sailed up to Venice from Spain last Autumn so that they could sort out their Italian citizenship; Phillips parents are Italian. They were staying and working on their boat, Ali Baba, at a marina on an island just off the main city area. They love good food and we were spoilt with their local knowledge of the best food and restaurants - foodie heaven!
A twenty four hour clock
The Rialto bridge, each of the arches is a small shop.
Carole holding up one of the many leaning towers of Venice - cheesy, I know!
The bridge of Sighs, from the Royal courts to the prison
It was tough day!
One day we took a train to Verona, of Shakespeare fame, took in the famous balcony and the Roman amphitheatre, If we hadn't been spoilt by Venice we would have been impressed, as it was.....
We also took a trip with Valerie and Phillipe to Morano and Burano islands.
Murano is famous for the highest quality glassmaking. Valerie and Phillipe took us to another fabulous restaurant and also introduced us to French emigre, Muriel Balensi, who showed us how she makes Murano glass jewellery. Beautiful stuff.
Muriel made this stopper for a decanter that her husband, a master glassmaker, had hand blown.
Waiting for the Vaporetta
Venician food market
Burano is a lace making centre, not really our thing, but the island itself is simply picturesque and ridiculously photogenic.
I want one!
Hmm!
We had a week of wandering about the alleys and byways, jumping on Vaporetti to get about, eating the most fabulous food and having the obligatory (and expensive) gondola trip - just amazing.
We must have exhausted the gondolier...
Just as we were about to leave we discovered that the Venice Carnival was ramping up to start. Our friends took us on a tour of the masque makers and we got canal-side seats for the opening boat parade. Spoilt again!
Too much choice.
Hand made on the premises, none of the cheap plastic copies here!
Venetian Carnival Mask chosen. Phew!
Looking down the Grand Canal, before the boat parade.
Back at the airport.
It wasn't Taiwan but not a bad substitute!
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