Last Tango in Venice

 In 1995, my dear one and I visited Venice for the first time. In person. In my imagination I had been wandering the calle, dreaming along the canals, and gazing dumb-struck at the architecture since my first encounter with them in art history classes a lifetime ago. I returned in 2023 with a congenial group, several of whom have become friends and travelling companions.

1995

On our 1995 trip, Den and I travelled by train from Padua, and took a vaporetto along the Grand Canal, every step a research project, to St. Mark's Square  - an introduction I shall never forget. 

In 2023 our tour group travelled by boat from the end of the road to enter the lagoon. Last week our Venice day began with a boat trip from Punta Sabbioni, a 45 minute water voyage offering yet another approach to the unforgettable skyline of this city.

Last week's visit was my first visit in sunshine - the sparkle on the water will stay with me forever. For this is my last visit. As fellow traveller Amar said, the world is large and the list is long. 

The one item on my to-do list for this visit was to find a square that meant a great deal to me; a place Den and I found refuge from the crowds on that long-ago day visit -  Campo Bragora. The Church of San Giovanni in Bragora with its late-Gothic facade crowns a small square with several trees, an ancient well and a few welcoming benches. This the church where Antonio Vivaldi was baptised in 1678.

So, with that one plan, to find my way to that memory spot during the 'free time' later,  I settled in to enjoy our guided walking tour. 

Our lovely guide turned immediately right down a calle off the Riva Degli Schiavone and almost immediately we entered a square -  Campo Bragora. 

An emotional moment I hid by skipping about taking photos. Somehow I don't think things like this are accidental. Hi buddy.

I have a lot of stories to share from this most recent trip. This one is likely to be my favourite.