Our sojourn (sorry I couldn’t help it…as Seabourn’s second new ship is the Seabourn Sojourn, to be delivered next year) began with a very comfortable flight on Lufthansa to Frankfurt…which abruptly became a bit of a hassle because some passenger decided he needed to have his flu treated in Germany rather than the United States and our plane was diverted to the distant areas of the airport. However, both ourselves and our luggage, made our connection to Venice.

A short water taxi to the Ca’ Sagredo Hotel and we were already wowed. The staff greeted up by name as soon as we stepped of the boat. We have a lovely corner room overlooking the Grand Canal and have been spoiled not only with the beautiful room and incredible views, but a welcome bottle of Prosecco and a plate of chocolate and fruit treats.

The Ca’ Sagredo has, in every respect, earned mine so far. The staff is warm, friendly and efficient. The room is magnificent and the views are “to die for”. I am very impressed and look forward to my return here even before I have left.

Though tired, after settling in, we took a stroll found a fairly nice little restaurant on a side canal. The main walks were just so crowded and the restaurants just screamed “tourist”…with, of course, some bolding posting “turisto menu” at their entrances. I had some lovely sardines followed by angler fish in a wonderful tomato and olive oil sauce and bruchetta and spaghetti carbonara for my wife, with a bottle of Prosecco, and we were officially in Italy…and ready for a nap.

Now it is time to get ready to meet some of my favorite clients, who also just arrived in Venice for the Maiden Voyage on June 24th.

To be continued.

Posted by Eric at Sunday, June 21, 2009