[2019]

OUR FAMILY HOLIDAYS

9985 Venice - Regatta1993

In many respects, though, the highlight of our time in Venice occurred when we were leaving.  Thus, the day we left was the day of the regatta.  Fortunately we'd learned about this in advance and I was able to take the take our bags across to the coach station the night before, since all movement within Venice -- except by foot -- was barred because of the regatta.  It was a marvellous sight, with tens of thousands of people lining the Grand Canal.  We got a good position, right on the side of the canal, to discover the President of Italy walking to his barge only ten feet away.

The historical barges which led the regatta were by themselves duly impressive.

But it was the regatta itself - with all the various contestants rowing past - that offered the real the highlight. 

It showed us Venice at its lively best; as, for once, it seemed to be much more than a film set and really came alive.

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