https://www.isoladiburano.it/en/ Archives - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

Now we’re coming out from behind our cloths it’s poignant that the City of Masks, Venice is unmasked.

The time was when we’d only come across masks in the shops in the City on the Lagoon.

Those ornate, beaked souvenirs you bring back with you from Italy.

But since Covid broke out two years ago we’ve all taken on the appearances of theatre nurses.

Read our lips

Water, water everywhere: The grand hotel

There will, of course, be a period of adjustment as we become comfortable again showing off our pearly whites in public.

And not feel self-conscious or socially irresponsible when we forget our masks for Sunday Mass.

The test, of course, is when we’re jostled together in tight alleyways on holiday.

Now there are few places as huddled as Venice’s alleyways, unless you’ve been in a Marrakech soukh.

And it was that which spread the disease during the Black Death and saw the rise in masks.

And dandies turning adversity into masked balls.

Isles with style

You can, of course, escape the hustle and bustle by getting on a boat out to Murano and Burano.

And if you do need the sand between your toes then the Lido is also on your doorstep.

A beach bar you say, but away from the crowds… well, you’ll want to try the Buddha Beach Bar at the San Clemente Palace Kempinski.

Venice: Let;s catch a gondola back to Padova

You’ve probably stared longingly towards the isola from Rialto.

Once a place of isolation for monks and an asylum for those Venetians to hide away those they wanted to keep out of view.

Buddha Beach Bar

It is now a private island boasting the 5* San Clemente Palace Kempinski.

And now the gastronomic destination with three gourmet restaurants and bars, this season, the San Clemente Palace Kempinski is adding an exciting new dining concept.

San Clemente is opening a new Buddha Beach Bar, of all things.

You’ll be surrounded by palm trees (yes, really).

And the poolside Buddha Beach Bar offers an enticing blend of neo-Asian and Italian cuisine accompanied by music and cocktails.

Just a ten-minute boat ride from Piazza San Marco, San Clemente Palace Kempinski and its Buddha Beach Bar is Venice Unmasked.

And the good news is that it’s reopening this Spring.

So check out their offers.

Romantic Escape in the Special Suites of San Clemente

What about a romantic stay in suites with private transfers by water taxi from Venice Airport?

And a dinner for two at Acquerello Restaurant, inclusive of three-course menu.

And among the extras are a Kempinski Lady in Red Service and a €50 Spa treatment voucher, per room, per stay.

Is it just me or do you think Venice’s €5 entry fee is a bridge too far?

Because the very idea of charging to be allowed into any city feels anti-libertarian.

Yes, we all know the arguments… over-tourism, the city sinking, but is economic selectionism really the answer?

Make no mistake here, Venice truly is one of the world’s great cities.

And I was entranced from the moment I emerged from the throng off the train into its alleyways in the early Noughties.

City’s hidden delights

Now to put this into context… I’m just a city boy, born and raised in Jordanhill (apols to Journey).

And I love the energy and life Venice brings.

Like everyone else I have taken in the must-sees St Mark’s Square, the Bridge of Sighs, the Rialto Bridge and the Campanile.

And why wouldn’t you?

But I also spent our first evening exploring the Arsenale and went onto branching out from the packed centre.

While I also sailed out to the island of Murano, where glass-makers ply their trade just like their forebears did centuries ago.

Neighbouring Burano is known for its brightly coloured fishermen houses which acted as a beacon, and its lace traders.

And I also took in the Isola di San Michele where Venezians buried their dead.

In The Ghetto

But it is the Ghetto in Cannaregio which really captured my attention.

The Ghetto is where the city’s Jews were kept out of the city

And it was here (the foundry area) where the Doge Leonardo Loredan and the Venetian Senate sentenced the Jews to live.

They were only allowed to enter the city at certain hours.

Rules, rules, rules

Now there is no suggestion Deputy Mayor for Tourism Simone Venturini is motivated to exclude any of us for anything other than over-tourism reasons.

‘The aim is to discourage one-day tourism, hit-and-run tourism,’ he explained.

‘Arriving in one day and leaving in the same day, tiring and stressing the city, and encouraging slower tourism instead.’

And to debunk a myth there won’t be turnstiles, you’ll book ahead online.

Watch your back

Venice fans: With the gang from Padova trip

But still how will entry to the city be manned and how do they plan to control congestion at the entry point?

I’m worried here, and have been for some time, that the ’emergency’ restrictions foisted on us all over Covid will persist as we emerge out of the pandemic.

Because isn’t that just the way of our leaders.

And as I often try to remind people wasn’t Income Tax brought in as a temporary charge to cope with the Napoleonic Wars.

Who is that masked man (and woman)? The Biennale

All of which neatly brings us around to the man who ended the restrictions for the inhabitants of the world’s first ghetto, Napoleon Bonaparte.

Now we know that the City on the Canal has its own unique challenges and that during the Black Death they pioneered masks.

You know the bespoke ones they sell throughout the city’s alleyway souvenir shops.

But Venice’s €5 entry fee is a bridge too far.

So what do you think? Let us know and we’ll share.

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Venice unmasked