Venice
Carnival!
Feb. 14-21, 2007
Well, 2007 started with a bang with
Venice Carnival! It's
easy to understand why
this event is on the list of "10
things you MUST DO in your lifetime". From start
to finish, the 9 of us set out to enjoy ourselves to the
fullest.
As everyone arrived
at our canal-side
hotel via private water taxi it was apparent from the size
of the baggage that they had brought enough
costumes for the occasion. Our first dinner on the
Grand Canal set the tone for the week - it was apparent that
this group of friends definitely knew how to have fun. I
knew it was going to be a memorable week.
Cooking classes in our beautiful Grand Canal Palazzo were
quite amazing
- we produced fabulous food (with the expert help of
Sebastiano & Mariagrazia) and then managed to eat it all -
washed down with wonderful wines. Then we followed
host Sebastiano around as he took us on a typical "Venetian
Pub Crawl" - actually it's a series of visits to wine bars
done in the early evening in which you drink small glasses
of wine and "graze" on the bar snacks - cecchetti that are
very affordable and delicious. Of course, we went with
masks (no costumes) and had a great time. After
which we attended a delightful Vivaldi concert in a nearby
church.
Next morning we had an informative walking tour of Venice
and its secret neighborhoods with the highlight being the
world-famous Rialto Market. On our walks we had many
glimpses of the professional "masks" (that's what they call
the people in full costume that parade around St. Mark's
Square all day).
Then it was time for us to don our own costumes for our
first costumed event "THE DOGARESSA BALL". As
we assembled in the hotel lobby we all agreed we looked
great. At the ball we were absolutely astonished by
the intricacy of many of those in attendance.
Obviously these folks take their costuming very, very
seriously. We had a great time photographing everyone
as well as enjoying the delicious dinner and extravagant
entertainment. A great opening event that definitely
set the tone.
In the morning we headed off on our guided tour of PASTRY
SHOP and CHOCOLATIER - touch work but someone has to do it.
I must tell you that a hot chocolate in Venice is nothing
like anything you've had before! After that exhausting
(and filling) morning we took a break so we would be ready
for the MASKS ON PARADE that afternoon. That evening
they crowned the winner of the competition for BEST MASK
(costume) and there was a dazzling parade in St. Mark's
Square of all competitors.
Then it was time for the GRAND DOGE COSTUME BALL -
everyone was all atwitter getting ready for this most famous
event. Once again our private water taxi took us to
Palazzo Moretti for music, lively entertainment, elegant
costume, excellent food, drinks, more wine - what more could
anyone ask. Another fabulous evening.
We began our next day a little later than usual (it had been
a late night) but started with a bang as we took a gondola
tour accompanied by musicians and a tenor. How can you
be in Venice and not experience this? After that we
went to a Dessert Buffet w/musical entertainment - another
private costumed event. After a quick change of
clothing, we headed off to our PIZZA PARTY for a welcome
change of pace at my favorite trattoria in Venice.
The follow
ing
day, Linda, our local guide, took us to the nearby islands
of Burano & Murano. Burano is famous for its lace
making and colorful houses, whereas Murano is the island for
the glassblowers. We had a spectacular lunch with our
larger-than-life host, Lele. But I think the highlight
for all of us was when a rowdy group in FULL COSTUME arrived
to share the dining room with us. This is a group who
gathers every year for Venice Carnival - coming from all
parts of the world. The mask here captured my fancy.
That evening was our VERY PRIVATE GALA in our Grand Canal
Palazzo. Sebastiano and Mariagrazia again guided us
through the preparation of a very elegant meal (which we
later consumed with gusto and great wines!). Then we
all donned costumes and enjoyed our evening's entertainment
of musicians, singers, a mime and wonderful Neapolitan
guitarist. Another great evening!
For our f
inal
day we had a Mask Making Seminar in which we learned the
history of each of the various traditional masks, as well as
the craftsmanship that went into the production of the
authentic masks - not the ones available on the street
corners for 5Euro. We all came away with a renewed
respect and understanding of what we had been seeing all
week. Patty (in photo) was especially pleased that she
had purchased the unique mask she had found a few days
earlier.
The GRAND FINALE was our last costumed event and it
was truly GRAND. More elegant costumes, more exotic
entertainment, another delicious meal with good wines,
sumptuous desserts, dancing, etc. etc. At 11pm the
FIREWORKS GRAND FINALE took place in full view from the
windows of the Palazzo Moretti. This was definitely a
great ending to a marvelous week. Be sure to put this
one on your "not to be missed list" -
Next Venice Carnival! tour:
February 18-25, 2009
Cooking in Paradise - AMALFI
COAST
May 13-20, 2007
Spring was in the air and I was looking
forward to the treat of being able to spend two consecutive
weeks on the Amalfi Coast - I must live right! The
first week was my regularly scheduled week and the second
was a custom group comprised of from a Tuscany trip.
From the moment I met up with Ron & Dorine in the Naples
airport I KNEW it was going to be a good week. Laura
was a bit delayed - the famous lost luggage gremlin strikes
again, but fortunately we didn't have any formal occasions
on the immediate horizon.
That evening at our Welcome Dinner (Laura in bermudas) at
the lovely Villa Maria, we all raised our limoncello glasses
in a toast to a great week - and Ron ended up with some
spares, but was definitely up to it.
After a leisurely breakfast it was off to our first
cooking class with Mamma - always a highlight and this was
no exception. The setting, the people, the food - an
absolutely amazing combination - the perfect welcome to this
wonderful area. After a sumptuous lunch of the goodies
we produced, we headed to Positano for some
sightseeing and shopping. We didn't get very far when
we encountered on of the famous Amalfi Coast Highway traffic
jams - it was immediately apparent to all of us that having
a professional driver like Christian was essential to our
being able to enjoy ourselves. He took command of the
situation, directing traffic and unsnarling the jam.
Then it was off to Positano. After shopping, we
found we were hungry again and thoroughly enjoyed our
beachfront trattoria with the talented singer/guitarist.
We were quiet on the ride home - it had been a full and
satisfying day.
In the morning the delightful Antonella took us on our
guided tour of Ravello's famous monuments as well as their
equally famous artisans. Giorgio, the coral carver,
once again allowed us into his most amazing museum. We
all decided that we would adopt Antonella and take her home
with us - she was such a delight. Then, of course, it
was time for our panini lunch at the outdoor panino bar in
the square - my favorite panini. It was here that we
found out about Ron's diet Coke addiction.
After a brief rest, we headed down to the town of Amalfi
for a visit with the last AUTHENTIC papermaker in Amalfi.
Eva was gracious and explained the ancient papermaking
technique that she taught herself and still employs in the
products she sells in her small shop. Time for a little
shopping, a caffe and it was time for dinner! On a
whim we went to a restaurant owned by some friends of
Antonella - we trusted her. Well, it was an amazing
evening - our table was set outside near the Duomo stairway
with a view to the town square. And we had a trio of
zany waiters who kept us entertained while they served some
really wonderful food. Naturally, our opinion of
Antonella went even higher.
On Wednesday we were off to Vietri Sul Mare for our ceramic
visit day. After the ceramic making demonstration we
scattered amongst the MANY ceramic shops searching out the
EXACT treasure we were seeking. Must admit we did
well. As Angela (our guide) and I sat having a coffee
a parade of cars came rolling by - they were the lead off
for a bicycle race. All very interesting except that
the Amalfi Coast Highway was CLOSED for the bicycle race and
we were supposed to go back that way to our lunch
engagement. Fortunately, there had been some warning
so we were able to go to Plan B - which always seems to be a
winner. In this case, it was extraordinary. We
were able to visit an amazing chef in a tiny village that I
had heard about but hadn't been able to squeeze in a visit.
Thanks to the bicycle race we had an absolutely incredible
meal!! The talent of this chef in this small mountain
village was truly impressive - each dish was artistic AND
delicious. We were blown away. Like I said, Plan
B has always worked out.
Cooking in Paradise - AMALFI
COAST
May 20-27, 2007
The Tastes of Tuscany
May 27-June 3, 2007
FALL
The Tastes of Tuscany
October 14-21, 2007
Cooking in Paradise - AMALFI
COAST
September 30- Oct.
6, 2007
What a great way to end my spring trips in Italy - I am a
VERY lucky woman.
Hope to see you soon - on a
tour
Ciao, Bev
