Comments on: Oltre il Giardino, Venice

By: Lizzy

Lizzy — Mon, 31 May 2010 15:04:22 +0000

MM, this place looks great, would be the perfect place to stay next time I’m in Venice, God willing there’s a next time. I’ve been lucky to have visited Venice twice and it’s one of my favorite places in the world. My first visit was when I was fresh out of college on a budget European tour with my two sisters. I don’t even remember the name of the hotel we stayed at, it was arranged by the tour operators. It was decent enough and had a private bathroom, one of my minimum requirements, lol. On my second visit twenty years ago, my husband and my three-year-old toddler stayed at what was then called the Bauer-Grunwald Hotel, right on the Grand canal. It now goes by just Bauer Hotel and I couldn’t think of staying there now at the rates they charge. We had a wonderful suite with a balcony overlooking the canal and all my little boy wanted to do was sit out on the balcony, his legs dangling between the balusters, (which were thankfully safely spaced for him not to slip through) and watch the boats and gondolas go by.

The islands of Murano and Burano are worthwhile visits if you’re in Venice. Murano for hand-blown glass from family-ran factories, their techniques handed down through generations of glass-blowers; and the island of Burano for exquisite lace.

From my memory, food in Venice is generally superb, if expensive. I had a very memorable meal at the Trattoria al Gato Nero in Burano. Incredibly fresh seafood prepared the Italian way.

Really enjoying these posts, MM. Thank you so much.

By: KUMAGCOW

KUMAGCOW — Wed, 26 May 2010 20:56:45 +0000

I had tons of mulberry when I was in high school. Trinity College had those trees and I was probably one of the few eating them. Its sweet but stained like hell if you got it on your shirt.

By: alicia

alicia — Wed, 26 May 2010 14:00:06 +0000

This is absolutely beautiful! I must keep this for future reference. SO up my alley! The last time I was in Venice we stayed at the Hotel Gritti Palace (sister hotel of your iconic hotel:-), which came highly recommended and has whatever number of stars, yadayadayada… and I must say from your pictures,I am loving your hotel more! I now enjoy luxury boutique hotels much more than larger grand ones.

By: corrine

corrine — Wed, 26 May 2010 13:26:00 +0000

Such cozy place. I had a nice vacation in Venice years back. I get wistful when I see the different places in Venice in movies and photos. May I know how much per night the room costs? It’s looks so nice!

By: Charina, Manila

Charina, Manila — Wed, 26 May 2010 13:13:57 +0000

Thanks Mr. and Mrs. MM! You just saved me a ton of research :-)

By: Jack Hammer

Jack Hammer — Wed, 26 May 2010 12:31:10 +0000

For three years I have been planning to Visit Italy, Spain and Portugal and something or the other comes up and God laughs at my plans.

This year Sept/Oct for Sure !!!! Venice here I come.

By: j

Wed, 26 May 2010 12:28:22 +0000

Those are indeed mulberries, they have the feel of a slightly overripe blackberry, but the middle is a little tougher. They are sweet and mild- I would say bland. Other than the blackberry look and feel, they certainly do not taste anything like it… My neighbors have them in their front yard (the sidewalk actually), and they make quite a horrendous mess during the summer months…

By: Pecorino1

Pecorino1 — Wed, 26 May 2010 11:47:30 +0000

I was astonished and very impressed with most of the bathrooms I encountered in Italy. They were mostly modern like in your photos above and functioned perfectly, despite being housed inside centuries-old buildings. Not for naught then are the Italians, since the days of the ancient Romans, known for their hydraulic engineering, plumbing, and bathroom fixtures design.

By: chinachix

chinachix — Wed, 26 May 2010 11:22:34 +0000

Very nice!

By: marilen

marilen — Wed, 26 May 2010 11:16:44 +0000

Rediscovering all the wonderful experiences of Venice – the tourist areas and the unexpected little pleasures of off-the-beaten-track. Thank you MM, always delightful to vicariously travel thru your posts and re-live one’s own experiences of the city.