Culture, Cuisine and Chasing the Lights

[amaroo]

I worked out why the Italians built on those hills - fog!

Within minutes of leaving this...



We hit this...



and it didn't clear until we reached the top of Perugia - view from our suite.



When we were looking to book Christmas dinner months ago, we quickly worked out not much was going to be open. So we decided to book at The Collins http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...llins-Perugia_Province_of_Perugia_Umbria.html

 

[amaroo]

We went with the Christmas menu ... the kids decided to select from the standard menu.

Christmas Menu



Photo of the setting prior to seating.

 

[amaroo]

(Xmas menu, con't)





Very nice vino



Kids selection





Surprisingly a very nice meal to end a wonderful Christmas Day!

 

[amaroo]

Boxing Day - we woke to a stunning sunrise and rolling fog.

 

[amaroo]

Next stop, Venice... been 22 years since the GF & I (now wife) were last here:shock:



First we had to leave our maintain abode and descend into the fog. The fog doesn't bother the locals as the traffic flow was maintained between the normal range of 130k/h and light speed.



After a couple of hours the heavens opened



It didn't last long... the fog blanketed Venice the whole time we were there. Still, Venice and fog seem to go together.

Thank goodness we pre booked parking - pure bedlam!

I also arranged private transfer from the carpark to our hotel - bliss!

A greeter and porter watched as I parked the car They sorted our luggage and soon enough we were boarding our water taxi

 

[amaroo]

Within 15 mins of parking the car - we were on our way.









Our home for the next three nights

 

[amaroo]

The Gritti Palace - WOW! One of the best properties we've stayed...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/luxury/t...ce-venices-most-celebrated-hotel-reopens.html

Connecting rooms were not available so we had to settle for adjacent. Booked two Giglio Prestige Rooms...

 

[amaroo]

The kids room...

 

[amaroo]

View from the Gritti wharf





Hard to beat the view from the Grand Canal

 

[amaroo]

Hungry after skipping breakfast and the longish drive from Perugia - it was time for lunch!

Concierge recommendation - Antico Martini

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Rest...-Ristorante_Antico_Martini-Venice_Veneto.html











Excellent meal. Would happily return for anther meal.

 

[Flying mermaid]

December vanished with family things, so just starting to catch up with trip reports now. Looking forward to the rest of this and so far bringing back good memories! We did the train trip from Oslo to Bergen with an overnight in Flam and it was all quite spectacular. It was July when we did it, with snow still on the mountains, so I can't imagine how cold it will be now!

We ate at the Riviera in Venice and it had beautiful fish.

 

[amaroo]

After such a beautiful lunch we needed a stroll to balance the scales









Will find some time for this baby later...

 

[ellen10]

Love Venice and loving your photos!!

 

[amaroo]

The stroll continues... need to make room for dinner

 

[amaroo]

The other entrance to The Gritti...

 

[Major]

Any idea what they are charging for Gondola rides these days ? It used to be very expensive

 

[OATEK]

The other entrance to The Gritti...

View attachment 61836

Very convenient for the Gondola, and an "atmospheric" set of shots.

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

Very convenient for the Gondola, and an "atmospheric" set of shots.

Looks spooky to me.... WooooOOOoooooOOOoooo...

 

[amaroo]

Any idea what they are charging for Gondola rides these days ? It used to be very expensive

We paid €80 for 1/2 hour. IIRC it was €100 after 5pm

 

[amaroo]

Dinner... another concierge recommendation -
A Beccafico https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Rest...385701-Reviews-A_Beccafico-Venice_Veneto.html









Nice however, I think we can do better.