Today was the most wonderful day, partly because most of what happened was unplanned. We left our apartment with just the sketch of an idea to try and see a grand palazzo from the inside and have a drink on the Grand Canal - side patio at the Bauer Hotel. First we went to the Rubelli fabrics showroom, a worldwide Italian fabrics conglomerate housed in the Palazzo Corner Spinelli (the grand palazzo connection). It was a recommended stop for the Biennale but it was a working showroom and they did prefer customers to gawking tourists. However, we were left alone to look at fabrics and admire the palazzo which was amazing and well worth the visit. It is located just across the Grand Canal from the entrance of the smaller canal which leads to the palazzo where Jenny's family will be staying in the summer. All of a sudden though, Carol was overcome by the heat of the day and had to sit. In an instant the two ladies working there came to ask if everything was ok, offering us water and cookies and staying with us until Carol felt better which took maybe 15 minutes. All the while we chatted about the weather, the friend of one of the ladies who had to go to Edmonton to find work and the Rubelli empire. They were really sweet and caring. When we left we noticed a few tables outside the five star Sina hotel next door and we decided on the spur of the moment to have an espresso there. What a lovely quiet spot to spend a half hour, watching the traffic moving up and down the Grand Canal. A bonus: no tourists. It was all ours.
Next we wandered off to the Bauer. It was so much better than we expected. You cannot get a better spot to view the entrance to the Grand Canal, period. It is a must do.
We had a glass of wine with lunch at a ring side table, enjoying all the passing gondolas, many with accompanying music. Tres romantique!
Finally, our obligatory tiramisu stop. Only I had a Guinness and three meatballs.
On the way home I deliberately got us lost again so that Carol could not find the store in which she had noticed a nice top during a previous walk through the area. :^)
Tomorrow, Murano and Burano. Ciao.
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