A Special Venice, Italy Trip - Nov 14-17

Our next trip was to Anthony's homeland - Venice, Italy. This would go down as a very memorable weekend, both because Venice is a beautiful place and renowned as one of the most romantic cities in the world and also because Anthony had a surprise planned for Amy that was the result of intricate and tricky planning. For more detail on THE SECRET STORY, please see the blog entry with that title.

On Friday afternoon, we set out to head to the Gatwick Express (a train to take us from the heart of London to the airport).



We landed in Venice, Italy around 7pm on Friday. The only form of transportation to the island of Venice is a short taxi in a long skinny and short boat, which we took from the airport to our hotel - the Hotel Gritti Palace. It was a nice boat ride in the dark.



We checked into the hotel and dropped our bags off. The room was decorated as only the Venetians could - blue everywhere with ornate decorations throughout and a dome on the ceiling above the bed. A bit strange, but nice nonetheless.



After check-in, it was time to walk around and explore Venice a bit before dinner. We walked through San Marco square which was spectacular with the lights all around the square. There was even a full moon that night.



After a few pictures, we headed to a very authentic Italian restaurant with only 22 seats called Alle Testiere. The food was fabulous (although nothing beats mom's home cooking!).



A nightly tradition of our Venice trip was to come back to the Hotel Gritti Palace and sit on the outside porch overlooking the waterway and have a night cap. Amy questioned Anthony's "Italianess" given his disdain for Grappa.



We woke up the next morning and headed to San Marco square. It was an absolutely perfect day - 65 degrees, sunny and not a cloud in the sky (unseasonably warm in Venice for mid November). This weather was in stark contrast to the last time Anthony was in Venice with his family in December 1995 when it actually snowed. The city on this Saturday was bustling with activity. Gondola riders lined the street and the Italian captains of these canoe like boats were heard yelling at eachother in Italian over fares and over congestion in the canal.



San Marco square was full of people (and pigeons). There is a notorious picture in the Civale family from their 1995 trip which depicted Anthony's brother, Mike, with his arms outstretched and pigeons up and down his arms and on his head all scrambling for some of the bird seed Mike was feeding them. Despite Anthony's multiple requests and pleas, Amy had no interest in following Mike's example. Instead, she read a passage aloud from our Venice travel book, "15% of Venice's pigeon population is infected with salmonella, a little known fact Venice's tourist population doesnt know." Amy also suggested she was afraid of birds due to an unfortuante incident with a rooster when she was younger (Anthony smartly decided not to ask any follow-up questions to the rooster comment). OK, Amy, no pigeons, but at least take a picture with Anthony outside San Marco Church.



After touring the San Marco Church, we walked next door to the Palazzo Ducale which was interesting as well. It had art, an armory with old weapons and dungeons.



After the Palazzo Ducale, we headed to lunch at Quadri which is a well known restaurant in the middle of San Marco square. Given the high tides, the restaurant was flooded and since it was a nice day, we decided to eat outside. Amy kept her eye out constantly for those filthy pigeons which were all around us.



Amy had previously been saying that the trip we took last weekend to Paris was her favorite of our time in London thus far. Feeling true Italian pride, Anthony was determined to ensure that Italia would win in the battle against France. So, Anthony was continually signing the praises of Italy and continually asking Amy whether she was enjoying her time in Venice - hoping to change her vote of best weekend. Little did Amy know, Anthony was setting her up as he was going to do something that would forever ensure Amy's love of Venice and Italy. Click on the video below of Amy at the end of lunch on Saturday at Quardi in San Marco Square.



After Quardi, we walked back to the Hotel Gritti Palace where a boat was waiting for our boat tour. Amy had requested a boat ride in Venice and Anthony told her that he thought it was "lame" to go on a boat ride and too "cheesy", but he conceeded to her wishes. The boat was very nice and was stocked with some good cheese, fruit, crackers and champagne.



We first headed to the San Marco square area. It was a great view from the water and our friendly Captain was kind enough to snap a few photos (without worrying about navigating the boat in the busy canal).



After the San Marco area, we headed around the Canale della Giudecca. This was a more industralized view of Venice so while the sights were not as interesting, Anthony used this as an opportunity to continue to press Amy on how great the weekend in Italy was. Of course, Amy used this as an opportunity to exemplify her sarcastic ways. The video says it all.



We then swung around towards the nortern part of the Grand Canal near the Ponte degli Scalzi. Finally moving away from the scrap heaps and the fishing boats to the more romantic Grand Canal.



Anthony had a very special surprise for Amy and his cue for when to begin to prepare was when we passed the Ca 'D'Oro water taxi stand on the Grand Canal. That meant that we were getting close to the Rialto Bridge which is where Anthony had planned to get down on a knee and ask Amy to marry him.



After passing the Ca 'D'Oro water taxi location, many photos were being taken to commemorate a truly life changing moment.

And at the moment the Rialto Bridge was just around the bend, Anthony began taking another movie.



But, apparently, our Captain wasn't in on the secret of the pending proposal as right before we were set to head under the Rialto Bridge, he diverted into a near by small canal. Anthony, who was preparing to ask the most important question of his life, quickly regrouped and tried not to act panicked...."We're planning on going under the Rialto Bridge, right Captain?", Anthony innocently asked. "Yes, Sir." Phew. After darting in and out of a few canals, we found ourselves back in the Grand Canal, passing the Ca'D'Oro water taxi stand again. OK - this time its for real....



We were standing up in the back of the boat for most of the trip. As we were passing under the Rialto Bridge, Anthony ducked underneath into the cabin, got the ring box (made from only the finest fabric from Fifield), got on one knee, poked Amy in the stomach asking her to come sit down. She complied, looked down at Anthony's hand where he was holding the ring box. Amy's jaw dropped a bit realizing what was happening. Anthony expressed his feelings for Amy and asked her to marry him at 3:30pm on November 15, 2008. Amy quickly said yes, the ring was put on Amy's shacking hand by Anthony's shaking hand. Amy then proceeded to tackle Anthony, who ended up sitting on the cheese platter. (While we don't want to jump too far ahead, Amy's tackling form was quite impressive, so we might be in for a world class defensive lineman football player in our future!)

So, WE ARE ENGAGED and very happy!



And, wouldn't you know it, Amy has a renewed view of how great a country Italy is and her new favorite trip since we've been in London is Venice. Click on the movie below for some post engagement happiness (this is 5-10 minutes after the proposal).





We both couldn't really tell you what the Grand Canal looks like after the Rialto Bridge as we were both totalling focused on eachother and a little dazed. We arrived back at the Hotel Gritti Palace and disembarked from our boat. We headed up to the room to call our family and friends and pass along the good news.



Amy even began to practice something new she will need to master....her first signature with a different last name.



After getting the word out, we got ready for a fantastic meal at Da Ivo which is a famous Italian restaurant in Venice. While this pains Anthony to admit, Tom-Cat has been known to frequent this establishment. The menu was pre-chosen for us, the champagne cold and wine tasty. Amy even wore Anthony's favorite outfit - the blue dress and yellow heels - which went quite well with the new engagement ring.



We then returned back to our hotel for one final surprise of the night for Amy. The meaning of "Stopping to Smell the Roses" can be seen below.



On Sunday, we awoke and had some breakfast. Amy was still flying high from her surprise. Anthony was still very proud of his trickiness (see THE SECRET STORY blog entry).



Sunday's weather was just as nice as Saturday - back to back beautfiul days. Sunday's plan was to walk along the Grand Canal, so we took the opportunity to walk back to the Rialto Bridge to "return to the scene of the crime".



There were stores everywhere - up and down the Rialto Bridge. One, in particular, caught Amy's eyes. Anthony was heard to say "One thing at a time, Amy".



After our walk around, we headed to Harry's Bar which overlooks the Grand Canal for lunch. Yet another great meal in Venice. We spent the afternoon in museums - the Galleria de Academia and the Guggenheim museum. One piece of art caught Amy's eye. "Yes, Amy, you are as skinny as that sculpture."



After a bit of relaxation, we prepared for our final meal in Venice - this time at Antico Martini, another great spot overlooking a nice quaint square. This time it was the tasting menu. Yum.



We woke up early Monday morning to leave the fantasy land of Venice and head back to London.



Amy took to her favorite reading material again - this week's edition of the Economist ("Redesigning The Global Financial System") - Anthony better watch out for some heated debates. All Amy was left to do was ponder all the planning and fun celebrations to come....



But, there was one thing that was for sure - Amy and Anthony's favorite trip thus far has been to Venice, Italy....as this is where our life's adventure truly begins. We look forward to celebrating in the months to come with all of our family and friends.