Viva Venezia & a New Poll

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My five days in Venice, from where I returned yesterday, were wonderful. Without the stifling throngs of cruise shippers and international group tours, the place was far less overcrowded than before the pandemic. That was my main reason for going there now. There may never be another such time again, so I grabbed the chance. It wasn't like there were no other tourists, but just steps away from the main tourist drags between the train station, Rialto and Piazza San Marco, it was easy to find enchanted and idyllically empty little squares and alleyways. It was lovely to just get lost in those …

For the first three nights I stayed in a residential part in the north of Venice, in the Cannaregio district, which is the least touristy part, where the majority of locals live. It is also in those parts that you see those posters as in the photo above, which make quite clear what the Venetians who live here think of those cruise ships that used to plague Venice until the pandemic hit. I'm fully with those locals. If I could have it my way, all those monsters of the sea would be permanently out of service, or, better still: scrapped for good.

Apart from simply enjoying Venice's unique cityscape without the usual throngs, I also slotted a few dark elements in, as described in more detail in the new blog post that went up earlier today and which includes many new photos. Instead of repeating anything here, I'd rather direct you there to take a look. It's worth it!

And now for the new poll. Again I'll give you a choice of four themes that a future blog post could pick up. Last time's runner-up (ash) is fielded again, together with three new ones. Please vote by either posting a comment on the latest blog post or by replying to this newsletter email.

Here are the four choices:

a) dark tourism and ash

b) dark tourism and flames

c) dark tourism and cars

d) dark tourism and villas

Please cast your votes over the coming seven days, so that I can announce the winner next Sunday.