September 18, 2023
Our last morning in Venice began with a surprise. As I noted in my previous post, there are pigeons on the property of the hotel…when eating lunch, we were given a water pistol to keep them at bay. All you have to do is lift the colorful pistol, and the bird takes off. Well at breakfast, we look over and see a falconer with a seven month old Harris Hawk. Yes, a freaking hawk. Tim had a nice conversation with the Hawks’ owner, who began training the bird at three months of age.
This is the best photo I could manage of one of the windows in our room…when you open the window, the canal is immediately below.
Before I jump into our Monday adventures, here are some photos that I took on Sunday evening as we enjoyed our walk around St. Marks square, the Rialto and then dinner at Pietra Rossa.
Timmy holding up the city♥️
During our 2014 visit to Venice we searched out Covino-a restaurant that we’d read about in The NY Times. Covino sat ten people, in a teeny tiny space, reservations needed to be made months in advance and there was no menu. Chef Andrea Lorenzon, is the son of Mauro Lorenzon, owner of al Covo, another amazing Venetian restaurant. When we returned in 2017 we had another wonderful experience at Covino and also dined at al Covo. Our meals were beyond memorable, so you can imagine our disappointment when last May we tried to make a reservation at Covino, only to be redirected to a website for Pietra Rossa. What the heck?
Timmy began communicating via email with Anna Ambrosi, whose title is: media, press, and communication for restaurant Pietra Rossa. Oh my goodness! Chef Andrea has reached the stratosphere of Venetian dining with his new (barely open) restaurant . His new place is more spacious, but still intimate. He now offers an a la carte menu, but you can still place yourself in his hands and he will bring you course after course and explain each one. His mom comes every Sunday for lunch and she makes cookies for the guests. We were lucky that Timmy was able to charm a return reservation for October 6, when we return to Venice. I think Chef appreciated our delight in his success. Sadly, I failed to snap his photo…luckily I’ll have another chance.
We last sailed Crystal Symphony in September of 2021…a 7 day cruise – NYC – round trip to Bermuda. Crystal had just resumed operations, having suspended everything during Covid. We had several additional cruises planned, but the former owners of Crystal overextended themselves and Crystal fell into bankruptcy in January of 2022…3 days before our two week jaunt around the Caribbean. Oh freaking no!
Anyway…Fast forward about 6 months …and Manfredi Lefebvre D’Ovidio, principal owner of A & K Travel, came to the rescue. He purchased the two Crystal ships and the “Crystal” name. Here we are 18 months later and ready to return “home” …to a beautifully renovated home.
Arriving and leaving Cipriani is effortless…they arrange every aspect of your transfer.
Crystal checkin was seamless. We arrived around 11:45, were given group number 3. There were maybe 60 folks in the terminal waiting. Within 5 minutes of sitting, group number one was called…that group was processed in less than 5 minutes and they boarded bus one for the ship. In ten minutes time we were also processed and on bus three. A short 20 minute ride to the ship. Easy peasy.
Once we were on board, it didn’t feel like two years had passed…it felt wonderful, actually beyond wonderful to be home.
We relaxed in the Cove before dinner and were beyond delighted to discover that Carlos Rayan has also returned! … as a solo performer.
We met Carlos 6 years ago, when he was playing in the band. I remember enjoying an evening show and saying to Timmy “oh my goodness, listen to that guitarist…he’s the real deal”. Like beyond accomplished. And now he’s a featured performer every evening.
After dinner we were off to the Galaxy lounge for a wonderful show. The Crystal show band is a power house. Shawn Smith is the director and drummer par excellence. Entertainment on Crystal is Vegas quality, no question. Shari and James were dynamic and highly entertaining. Anna Alonso, a featured singer impressed us with her renditions of Simply the Best and I will Always Love You. Back in the dark ages, when we were kids hanging out in dive bars, a female singer show cased her chops with Gracie Slick’s White Rabbit or Someone to Love…now female vocalists hit you with…I will always Love You … and Anna nailed it. We also enjoyed Ferenc and Bianka- highly accomplished Latin dancers.
We enjoyed an amazing first day back home. Thanks for following along. We are looking forward to visiting some new ports… next up? Dubrovnik.
