Tag: gondola

Europe 2022 day #8. “Welcome to Venezia (Venice)”  Venice, Italy 10/13/2022

by reissmd, posted in Italy, Venice, Italy

After leaving the Ferrari museum we stopped for a pleasant but overpriced lunch at the nearby Ristorante Montana (Via XX Settembre, 3, 41042 Fiorano Modenese MO).  The food was good as was the service but not nearly the quality we had at Donatello or Osteria Romagnola but we paid close to the same amount for our lunch as we did for dinner at the other places. 

After lunch, we had about a two-hour drive to Venice.  The city is only accessible by foot or boat so we were met at the outskirts by Federica a petite-looking woman who runs the tour company we are using in Venice.  Much to my surprise she insisted on taking BOTH of our suitcases and wanted us to hand her our backpacks too.  Oh well, for petite-looking, I wouldn’t dare mess with this lady. 

The boat ride brought us to Londra Palace (https://www.londrapalace.com/it/hotel.html) and this place really is a palace.  The hotel first opened in 1853 and has evolved through a variety of names and renovations to be the facility we are staying at today.  We were welcomed by a front desk person who took the usual information and then personally escorted us to our 3rd-floor room.  The room is very spacious (similar to our hotel in Milan) with a lovely view of the Grand Canal.

View from our room at the Londra Palace. My photography skills do not do it justice.

This is a major change from our hotel in Bologna (Hotel Touring) where we were very disappointed in the accommodations. The Hotel Touring staff was great but our room was small, the breakfast was only adequate, and the shower was microscopic.   The shower measured 27.5 inches by 35 inches.

Touring Hotel shower. Each tile measures 2.5 inches, you do the math.

In contrast, the Londra Palace is in a class by itself.  The staff is amazing.  I already told you about the front desk clerk escorting us to our 3rd-floor room.  Another clerk took us into a separate room and showed us on the map where we were located and some interesting spots to hear classical music (yes, that was Patrice who was asking about classical music. I am not that cultured).  The room is fantastic and the shower is beyond any comparison.   Not only is the shower large, but it also has a separate sitting area for your partner with its own water source. 

The main portion of the Londra Palace room shower.
Sitting area for your partner with its own water source.

In addition to the room, there is a rooftop deck with a wonderful view of the city and the Grand Canal.  The Touring Hotel also had a very nice rooftop view but not compared to this one.  Breakfast this morning was great.  We could get eggs prepared as we wished.  The pastries were fresh and delicious.  They gave us freshly squeezed orange juice.  We each had a cappuccino with a design that showed pride in workmanship.  I also ordered salmon and was embarrassed when it arrived because it was even too much for the two of us, yet for me alone.  It was the best meal of the day.  I am looking forward to breakfast tomorrow and we haven’t even had dinner tonight.

Patrice’s omlette.
Salmon for one?
Cappucino with a heart.

Speaking of dinner we had a wonderful meal last night at Bancogiro (Campo San Giacometto, Ponte di Rialto, 122, 30125 Venezia VE) where we sat outside by the Grand Canal. This place was recommended by our friend Karen and when I looked at David and Robyn’s pictures from their summer trip to Venice we saw they had been there too. I mostly mentioned dinner because I had to post a picture of the Zuppa (soup).

Happy Face soup with barley, monkfish, and other goodies.

Today we had a wonderful walking tour from our guide, Mauro.  He was full of all sorts of interesting facts about Venice and Italy.  He showed us the main sights and since he is a guide we got to bypass some very long lines.  

After a brief rest at the hotel, we were taught how to row a gondola by our guide, Elena.  It was fun and not as difficult as I thought it would be (especially with Elena doing most of the paddling).  During the “lesson” we stopped for some snacks (cicchetti) and a drink.  I had an Aperol Spritz (my son, David, and his wife, Robyn talked about them during their visit so I had to give it a try).  I really liked the drink but since my alcohol consumption is about 1 every 2-3 years I was ready to go to bed soon after.  Speaking of bed I better either have dinner or go to sleep soon because I am fading quickly.  Before I leave you please check out this video of Patrice paddling and me relaxing. https://youtube.com/shorts/YYP3qjGRsjU

Lots of fun things are planned for tomorrow.  See you then.

Ciao

Erica, Prague, and Madrid in That Order. Day #8 “Robert Once Again Risks His Life For His Fans” May 8, 2019

by reissmd, posted in Madrid, Uncategorized

When I last left you I was having dinner with 6 beautiful women. If that wasn’t enough of a daring activity to do for your enjoyment I decided to further risk my life for my fans. Yesterday we took a ride on the Teleférico. This is a gondola system that officially is called Teléferico de Madrid (Madrid Cable Car) and it links Parque del Oeste (Park of the West) to Casa del Campo (which means cottage but refers to a gorgeous public park adjacent to the Royal Palace). It opened in 1969 and the gondolas travel 2,457 meters (8,061 feet) providing its occupants with spectacular views. Upon entering the gondola we got our usual comeuppance regarding our Spanish. I asked the operator ¿Cuánto dura el viaje? (how long does the trip take) to which he quickly replied, “Eleven minutes”.

The views were great. I tried my best to get photos but it was hard because there was a lot of movement of the gondola making using the camera difficult. I did get this great shot.

Two beauties high above Madrid.

I knew it would be hard to top that picture but I did manage to get a few that I think looked pretty good.

I used my zoom to get this shot of the Royal Palace.
Decent shot of the Rose Garden.
View of the Manzanares River.

It was a wonderful, relaxing trip that provided breathtaking views of parts of the city. I recommend it to all.

Patrice the editor here. What Robert failed to tell you was that the pictures were taken by another person in the gondola. He was too scared to let go of the poll in the gondola. I did manage to catch one picture of him during this delightful journey.

Does Robert look relaxed?

After the ride we were in the park known as Casa de Campo. Quickly we saw how Madrid is very progressive and cares for their physically challenged people. This was a handicap ramp for those unable to use the stairs.

Is this a handicapped ramp or a thrill-seeker ride?

In the park we met another of Erica’s friends, Aitor, and his parents (Alfonso and Almudena). We had a very enjoyable picnic in the park and practiced our Spanish. Patrice did great and I think I might have understood a thing or two myself.

Typical Spanish picnic platters.

At night we met ANOTHER one of Erica’s friends. Yes this girl has more friends in Spain than I have had in my entire life in the USA. We connected with Esther and had dinner while watching a Flamenco show. Esther takes Flamenco classes and the show was presented by some of the students from her school. The performance was excellent and the food was also superb. No food pix but here is a shot of two beauties.

Esther and Erica
The Flamenco dancer. Notice pedestrians walking by got a free glimpse of the show.

Today we had the type of experience I have learned to love while in Spain. Patrice has had a cough so we stopped by a pharmacy to see if we could get some medications. I was fascinated by a machine that they had in the pharmacy. The pharmacist explained that they have two robots upstairs that deliver the medication after he types the command on his keyboard.

The chute where the medication comes down after the pharmacist gives the command.

I mentioned I was a doctor in the United States and it was as if I said the magic word because what followed was truly magical. The pharmacist took us upstairs to see the robots in action. He then took us to meet the owner of the pharmacy. Next we got to see a floor dedicated to veterinary mediations, orthopedics supples, and holistic treatments. Finally we got to see the robots in action. In addition the pharmacist told us about the history of the pharmacy including showing us pictures of the aftermaths of the the building being bombed in the Spanish civil war.

We were about to leave the pharmacy when I asked if I could take a picture of him. He then gathered around his staff to pose for the picture. He beckoned Erica to join him and also asked a surprised customer to pose with them. It was truly an incredible visit.

Pharmacist, Jose, flanked by two of his co-workers, Erica and an unknown customer. Just like a visit to CVS or Walgreen’s, no?

If you would like to see the robot in action click the Robot Video Link below. I think it is fascinating. Patrice says it was boring. Click on the Robot Video Link and you be the judge

Tomorrow we head for home. I have lots more to say but need to pack and get ready for our flight home.