Taking part in the QVC 'Italian Job'

Buon giorno!

I have managed to scrounge a few pictures of the "Italian Job" from my accomplices after my technical faux pas with my own photos! I could really kick myself!
 
I really enjoyed my trip to Italy, although I did feel a bit like Shirley Valentine going off and leaving the family. However, I thought it was only fair to the viewer to leave my guilt firmly at Gatwick!  Such is the selfless work of the QVC reporter!

The beauty of Verona

We stayed in Verona and it is SO beautiful! Every corner you turn the buildings are just more awe-inspiring than in the cobbled street before!

I must confess to having left a message of amore for my loved one (don't tell Paul) on the wall opposite Romeo and Juliet's balcony. I am getting very sentimental in my old age, especially after a couple of glasses of Prosecco and a double Limoncello.  
 
I met up with Ginetta Martini and she took me to one of the workshops where Veronese jewellery is made. It was quite fascinating to see and very much a family business, with family photos all over the place.

My guided tour to Venice and Murano

Perhaps the best bit of the trip was going to Venice and Murano. My guide was Francesca Randazzo (right), our Murano gold expert.

On the day of our visit there was a ferry strike, which was a blessing in disguise as it meant far fewer tourists than there would normally have been.

I loved seeing the brightly coloured gondolas, which I suppose are a bit kitsch but I am a sucker for that sort of thing. I loved all the little narrow streets and bridges. I wouldn't like to wander round there in the dark though, as some of those streets come to a very abrupt end and you could easily find yourself culo sopra il seno straight into the murky waters of the canal, sleeping with the fishes, never to be experience a TSV again.
 
Visting the Murano Glass workshop

On Murano we met Gerado (right) a glass artisan who was working away on our Murano glass TSV in his workshop. I don't think I am giving away too much when I say it is a ring with WHITE gold inside. It is beautiful!

It really hit home just how individual these pieces are. There is no mass production. Just one guy all on his own with only a radio for company and his rods of glass, blow torch and gold leaf.

On the shelves beside him there was a real rainbow of beautiful Murano glass pieces and little plastic bags overflowing with our TSV! Like an Aladdin's cave. Gerado has been working on our ring since February.

Francesca has brought back the very ring he was making when we filmed him so that she can show it on 21st July when it's our Today's Special Value. 

It was just amazing to see this ancient craft in action. Venice and the islands are a real melting pot of the old and new. 

How do people live in these tiny Venetian villas?

On the water taxi ride back I couldn't help but reflect on the practicalities of daily life in this place. It's very beautiful of course and steeped in history. But how do the people who live in those little villas on the edge of the water actually manage? It must be really awkward. Not for the Venetians the hum of the Domino's pizza delivery scooter. Oh no! Their pizzas are delivered by a boy in a BOAT! Honestly! I saw it with my own eyes!

Have you ever been to Venice or Verona?

I'd love to hear your stories?
 
Lots of love,

Debbie x

Comments

[Magda Chetty]

Hi Debbie It looks like you had a great time, good for you. I always wanted to visit Italy and last summer my husband went to India ( I did not want to go) so I called my Italian friend in London and we went to Italy together.
I loved it, we stayed in Milan and took the train to Verona for the day. Like you I went to see the Romeo and Juliet"s balcony and wrote a message on the wall.
I did not visit Venice which is a shame, but my friend said I would love the Italian lackes, so we went and had a great time there.
Thank you for the great blog. All the best.
Magda

[Teresa]

Hello Debbie

Sounds like you had a ball in Venice.

I went there a few years ago as that was my Valentine's present from my husband.

It is a remarkable place and just so beautiful.

Sadly we never went to Murano but I did buy a beautiful dish which has sixteen different coloured squares and it sits on my coffee table and I love it as not only is it a beautiful piece but it brings back such happy memories. I was overwhelmed by the choice of glass but this dish actually "jumped out" at me as I love anything with different colours.

I hope to go back one day.

Best wishes.

Teresa

[Carla A Rossi]

Dear Debbie,
I have been to Venice many times and was actually married there! By the way, I know what culo means but I won't let on. Carla

[Debbie]

Hi Magda
Thank you for your message. You must have had a great time, especially having a native speaker with you! I think that makes all the difference.
I would love to go to the lakes, I bet they are very beautiful!
Love
DebbieX

[Debbie]

Hi Teresa
What a wonderfully romantic husband you have! Perhaps next year for Valentine's you could take him back and visit Murano?
It's lovely to have a really special momento of a trip. I managed to get a couple of pretty Murano glass pendants for the girls while I was there (thanks to Francesca) so I will always remember my trip when I look at them.
Love
Dx

[Debbie]

Hi Carla
I thank you for your discretion!
My Italian is extrememly limited. I can say "Sono allergica ai frutti di mare", which used to come in useful when I was allergic to shellfish. Since that allergy has now passed it's really useless but I still say it anyway!
Baci
Debbie x

[Jane Duff]

Dear Debbie

Thank you for sharing your experiences in Italy with us, it is many years since I went to visit Venice with my sister. I have many memories of the visit and being struck by the absolute uniqueness of the place.

We stayed at a small pensione over looking St Georgio Maggiore, and I remember waking up early one morning and hearing this somewhat strange 'swishing' noise. I laid listening to it for a little while, and then I convinced myself that the riva outside the hotel had become flooded, so I just had to get out of bed and have a look - only to find that the riva was being swept clean by a man with a very wide broom!

Murano is absolutely fascinating, I remember thinking at the time of my visit how beautiful the glass was, but I could not afford to buy anything then, so it gives me great pleasure to buy limited pieces from QVC, unfortunately there are still some pieces I can't afford- but maybe one day - I am not giving up hope.

I always try to watch the shows and have put the July date in my diary.

Bueno Serra

[Debbie G]

Hi Jane
It's lovely to hear about your trip to Venice - it really is beautiful, isn't it?
I enjoyed it so much - but obviously with filming I didn't get to see too much!
Look out for that TSV if you do like the jewellery as it's a really nice ring!
Dx

[doreen cormack]

dear debbie went on a cruise in june and one of the stops we had was venice its such a bueatiful city . took a ride in a gondola which was no mean feat considering i carnt swim but i am so glad i did. hope to visit rome and pisa next year. i must learn some italian soon ciao!luv doreen xx