President's Weekend in Venice

President's Venice Weekend

For all those Rotarians who weren't there, you all missed a fantastic weekend.  From the moment that we convened at the Marriott Hotel on the Wednesday afternoon the whole organisation was high quality.  With it being an afternoon start there was no excuse for anyone being late, so we set off on time. The journey was uneventful, and we duly arrived at our overnight stay near to Gatwick Airport.

After a short rest period we met for the short walk to our dinner venue where we all ate a very nice meal together.  Whilst we were out the hotel had checked most of us in at the Airport for the flight the following morning, which was good, since when we assembled for the short trip we were advised that because of a road traffic accident at the South terminal there were huge delays.  This might have meant us missing our flight.  However, by diverting via the North Terminal, we were able to access the departure gate in really good time.

As we were not overbooked on the plane we were spared the indignity of having any of our group dragged screaming from the aircraft.  A new experience of exiting an airport was for all 19 of us, with all our luggage, was to climb into the water taxi to be transported to our hotel on Murano island, just a small hop away.  Nevertheless a few of the group were not wholly comfortable with this means of transport, particularly when the swell from other boats caused an element of pitching.

When we arrived we found the Hotel to be all that it had been made out to be with high quality facilities to match the prices, and after the day spent travelling we were all happy to eat in the hotel on the first night, and most enjoyable it was.

The all-inclusive breakfast offered food to cater for the widest of tastes, and as much as one wanted, which was taken advantage of by us all.  And then we were off on the first organised event which was an escorted tour of Venice, a real highlight of the weekend as it included a tour of the Doge's Palace and the Basilica in St Mark's Square.  Both very interesting and because we all had earpieces for the guides commentary we weren't constantly scrambling to hear her every comment.  As the tour developed around the bridges and footpaths, the benefits of the hearing accessories became even more evident because if one was a few yards behind - perhaps looking at, or scrutinising something more closely, you didn't miss out on the information.

At the end of that tour we finished in the Jewish Ghetto, and as we were all nearly collapsing we split up for free time, with most of us rushing into the nearest open bar for refreshment, whilst some of the more durable individuals moved back to the St Marks area.  In the evening there was a free choice with many of us settling for a very near option, thereby not having to walk too far, but we did have a very good meal.

Refreshed by another very full breakfast on the Saturday morning we were escorted to the glass factory where we were treated to a demonstration of how some of the incredible range of products that they make were made.  Afterwards we were shown the full range gathered in their many showrooms, with the President and his wife leading the purchasers.  When we escaped, the rest of the day was free time and our small band decided to venture back to St Marks and take a gondola trip.  Unfortunately we didn't have a gondolier who could serenade us, or better still Elizabeth, but it was still a pleasant interlude.

In the evening the whole group ate the 'last supper' together which was very nice and very reasonably priced.

On the last morning most had a leisurely breakfast followed by a casual tour of the area which would have merited further exploration had more time been available.

And so back by boat, plane, coach and car all the way back home, except for the luggage of Peter and Anne Davies, which didn't leave Venice that day because the check-in clerk forgot to put the luggage labels on.!!!!  (It eventually arrived on the following Tuesday evening – Ed.)

Here I must say on behalf of the whole group a very special THANK YOU to Brian and Elizabeth for the exceedingly well organised and most enjoyable President’s Weekend. The fellowship and camaraderie were tremendous.  We wouldn't have missed it for anything, and I am pleased to say that I have now arranged a second mortgage to pay for it, and yes Sue and I will certainly come again.

Kevin Greatorex