One of the better parts of all the years spent with Doug Sassi in Italy is the friendships with restaurants and hotels we’ve developed–people that have a lifelong commitment to hospitality and sharing the best of Italy with strangers in a welcoming environment. This little video tribute to our friends at the Giorgione is just a thanks for how great they are to work with. They’re our “ace in the hole” in Venice, and we’ve never gone wrong sending folks there.
George Hincapie knows a thing or two about cycling in Europe, and I suspect his assessment–that one of the chief difficulties will be the constant temptation to stop for the view…or the food, or the wine, or the sights in the little towns–is entirely correct.
If you’re interested in biking your way around Italy, let us know and we’ll help you plan something (we have a couple avid cyclists on staff, as it happens, your author included). Another good spot is the Euganean Hills in the Veneto–magical sites, sights, and did I mention wine stops?
Come ride with us.
Good night world! Santa Maria Formosa seemed like the appropriate evening send-off picture after another busy week with more in store this week coming.
This is the coolest thing I’ve ever done on YouTube I think. Brooke and Doug and myself on a vaporetto ride of the Grand Canal on a foggy evening.
Doesn’t get any better. There’s no doubt you just have to see it for yourself, but this is good as I can do at giving you a sense of the magic of a moment like this…it starts out as we leave the hotel, walk to the vaporetto stop, and then make a lap of the Grand Canal. Enjoy!
This video is simply fantastic. You’ll enjoy the insight into how this magical Italian city functions.
<p><a href=”http://vimeo.com/21688538″>Venice Backstage. How does Venice work?</a> from <a href=”http://vimeo.com/venicebackstage”>Insula spa</a> on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a>.</p>One of the best parts of staying at Hotel Giorgione, our “home in Venice” is the warm hospitality of the quiet corner of Cannaregio where it’s found; this short video shows that Venice isn’t just the hustle-bustle crowded experience many folks complain about. If you know where you’re going, you’ll see the Venice that Venetians themselves experience: a post-work nip of prosecco, a quiet calle, and some fantastic cicchetti prepared with fresh local ingredients.
Our friend Jim Brandano put together this wonderful short video of images from his Venice visit a couple years back. Enjoy! I think he captures the feel of the place quite nicely.
Wish I could say this was more of a surprise, but unfortunately graft and corruption tend to dissuade investment in developing Italy’s future and taint public works projects like this.
In other news, I’d like to announce my candidacy for Mayor of Venice. Be sure to write me in, i Veneziani!
Our good friend Mama Isa’s cooking classes were featured on a German show; I recognize that kitchen!
This is fantastically written and really makes me hungry for some linguine alle seppie. You really must try them.
We put the last batch in the freezer, for Lord’s sake, something we never do because you can’t freeze the ink. Only God knows how we’re going to eat all this. Sandwiches. Hash. Croquettes. Casserole surprise. Parfait.
Lino says the next time he hears our neighbor’s boat returning, he (Lino) is going to close the shutters and turn out all the lights. But I think we’d start hearing strange knocks on the door, and look out to find a herd of seppie on the steps waving their tentacles and saying “What’s wrong with us? You loved our parents. Let us in! Throw us in the pot! Hurl us onto the griddle! Send us to Valhalla with the seppie warrior-maidens!”
There are two sayings here, which mean the same thing: “Piove sempre sul bagnato” (It always rains where it’s wet) and “Quando sei ubriaco tutti ti danno da bere” (When you’re drunk, everybody offers you a drink). The seppie now need their own proverb. I’m working on it. It will be essentially the same idea, but squishier.
Sassi Italy Tours 