For weeks I wandered her smallest alleys in search of the tiniest architectural details—a curve of tracery here, a fading capital there. I began to obsess over her history and her art. The more I found out, the more I wanted to know. And so I have been studying Venice now, in books, in art, in music, on every street and canal of the city herself, for 4 years—not as an academic, but as someone completely in love with the place, someone who wishes to get to know the city and her story as intimately as possible, someone who wants to know the significance of every stone of Venice.
I have been six times to Venice since first falling for her. Each time my understanding became wider and my affection deeper. I even set part of my second novel there. A Roman doctor was one asked why, during an outbreak of plague, he did not leave the city. “I would rather die in Venice, than live elsewhere,” was his answer. A bit dramatic, but this about sums up how I feel about La Serenissima.
My excitement over the perfection of her art and the magnificence of her history—and the wisdom and the value of the lessons which Venice holds for us all—is such that I have always implored friends to visit me whenever I’m there. I have always wanted to share Venice with them; I wanted to show them Venice.
On my last visit, in November 2015, I was showing two friends around a rather splendid art gallery when I realised that I was not only showing them Venice, but teaching her to them—after another day I found that I had made them fall in love with Venice.
I want to do the same for you.
After months of research and experimentation, drafting and restructuring, I have crafted The Stones Of Venice Tour into a complete historical portrait. Over the course of two days I want to acquaint you fully with Venetian history and to show you the truths of Venice that will give you a lifetime of intellectual, creative, and spiritual nourishment.
Now…. Why Venice?