A Villa in Venice!

July 30, 2010

A Villa in Venice

We arrived in Venice early this afternoon and after a bit of confusion on the part of our usually beloved GPS, found our hotel. I was, as usual, apprehensive about what this one would be like, but particularly so because Denis had booked it! Aaargh! Out of my control! And with a name like Villa Stucky it sounded like a dump to me.

We broke out laughing once we finally found it, as it was certainly not what we were expecting. It is a stately and very ornate 300 year old villa, built by some Countess, that has been converted to a hotel. The furnishings are over-the-top elegant: rich brocade chairs and settees, velvet drapes, Murano glass chandeliers everywhere you look, inlaid floors, red carpets in the hallways, red velvet handrail, frescoed ceilings, and so on. It is almost like a museum as there are old photographs and curio cabinets displaying silver pieces and other objects that obviously belonged to the family. Outside the opulence continues: a white stone fountain and gazebo, statues, and lovely grounds. Someone commented today that it is almost like Versailles! Now we remember why he booked it--it is a 5 minute walk to the train station and a 20 minute train ride to the vaporetto station in Venice. No driving or parking to worry about in a pedestrian-only city.

We spent the afternoon in Venice, remembering parts of it from our first trip here. It really is a unique city that everyone should have the chance to experience. We took the vaporetto down the entire length of the Grand Canal and spent the rest of our time wandering. We found an odd little bar where we had a light dinner. Odd is an understatement. The entire ceiling was decorated with bras. That's right. Bras. Hundreds of them. All hanging neatly in rows from the ceiling. I guess every business needs a gimmick. Anyway, the ravioli with gorgonzola was delish.

Once we returned to our hotel, our initial favorable impression faded somewhat. No wi-fi. Internet access by cable only. Who still does that? We were offered internet service for a price, 5 euros for 1 hour and so on, but the girl at the desk admitted that the service was unreliable. Great. Back in the room, we found that we had one towel, one cup, and pillows so flat they must have belonged to Countess What's-her-name 300 years ago. Breakfast better be more than a bun with jam or the Villa Stucky will simply not make the Nessman's top ten list. And if that town clock chimes all night long it definitely won't.

Heading back into Venice to explore those little back alleys and canals tomorrow.