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GIVEAWAY – it’s all about VENICE

19th September 2021

Giveaway – it’s all about VENICE, 3 beautiful titles to transport you. Will you be taking a trip to the Lagoon City in the foreseeable future? You need these books to really get you in the mood! Or have you been and want to revisit your experiences through the written word?

UK entry only. The winner secures all 3 books.

GIVEAWAY - it's all about VENICE

Palace of the Drowned by Christine Mangan

In Venice, Frances Croy is working to leave the previous year behind: another novel published to little success, a scathing review she can’t quite manage to forget, and, most of all, the real reason behind her self-imposed exile from London: the incident at the Savoy.

Sequestered within an aging palazzo, Frankie finds comfort in the emptiness of Venice in winter, in the absence of others. Desperate to rediscover the success of her first novel, the one by which all her other work has been judged, she attempts to return to the page – ignoring the strained relationship with her best friend, the increasing phone calls from her editor, demanding the final book of her contract, and the growing fear that the end of her career is imminent.

And then Gilly appears.

A young woman claiming a connection from back home, one that Frankie can’t quite seem to recall, Gilly seems determined for the two women to become fast friends. Frankie finds herself equally irritated and amused by the strange young woman before her – but there’s something about her that continues to give Frankie pause, that makes her wonder just how much of what Gilly tells her is actually the truth.

Those around Frankie are quick to dismiss her concerns, citing her recent fragile state and what took place that night at the Savoy. So too do they dismiss Frankie’s claims that someone is occupying the other half of the palazzo, which has supposedly stood empty since after the war. But Frankie has caught Gilly in numerous lies, has seen the lights across the way, has heard the footsteps too-and what’s more, knows she isn’t mad.

Set in the days before and after the 1966 flood – the worst ever experienced by the city of Venice – the trajectory of the disaster that forever altered the city mirrors Frankie’s own inner turmoil as she struggles to make sense of what is and is not the truth, ultimately culminating in a tragedy that leaves her questioning her own role and responsibility – as well as her sanity.

Venice by Cees Nooteboom

With this treasury of his time spent in Venice over a period of fifty-five years, Nooteboom makes himself the indispensable companion for all lovers of “the sailing, amphibious city”, and for every new visitor.

Because he is a master storyteller with an inexhaustible curiosity, and always with a suitcase of books (to which new discoveries are added), he brings vividly and poetically to life not only the tumultuous history of the Republic but along the way its doges, its villains, its heroes, its magnificent painters, its architects, its scholars, its skies, its canals and piazzas and alleyways, and on his expeditions its “bronze voices of time”.

Those who know and love this city and its literature will recognise Nooteboom – in Laura Watkinson’s fine translation – as the dazzling heir and companion to Montaigne, Thomas Mann, Rilke, Ruskin, Proust, Brodsky, and Donna Leon. His homage to Venice is a generous introduction, learned and enchanting, and worthy of its magnificent subject.

The Book of Venice edited by Orsola Casagrande 

With its gondola-filled canals and beautiful architecture, the floating city of Venice is unlike anywhere else in the world. It is a city where apparent opposites intersect; at once aquatic and terrestrial, past and present, east and west, spiritual and carnal, imaginary and real. It is this mystery and mulitplicity that has long offered inspiration to writers and storytellers; from Thomas Mann and Proust, to Elizabeth Wharton and TS Eliot. In his 1882 essay ‘Venice’, Henry James famously wrote that there was nothing new to be said about Venice. The short stories gathered in this anthology each written by writters based in or from the city challenge this notion, offering new perspectives on one of the world s most coveted destinations. Translated by Orsola Casagrande and Caterina Dell’Olivo.

HOW TO ENTER:

You need to be a member of TripFiction. Simply go to www.tripfiction.com and scroll down to the JOIN NOW tab. And we do check!

Then, tell us in the COMMENTS below, let’s chat about Venice! What comes to mind when you think of the city? Do you have any top tips that you would like to share with our readers? Have you been?

Enter by midnight, 2 October 2021 and the winner will be chosen at random. UK only

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Comments

  1. User: Tina Hartas

    Posted on: 03/10/2021 at 9:23 am

    And the winner is…..

    Pengwen!

    Comment

  2. User: Catherine Clapperton

    Posted on: 02/10/2021 at 9:27 pm

    What a wonderful prize! For me it conjours up thoughts of culture, romance and delicious food. A place I’d love to visit one day. It also makes me think of Spiderman Far From Home!

    Comment

  3. User: Katherine McDonald

    Posted on: 02/10/2021 at 9:14 pm

    I’ve never been, but I’d love to go! I’d like to see the waterways, ride in a gondola and look at the beautiful architecture…and eat some delicious food too!

    Comment

  4. User: lcorrall88

    Posted on: 02/10/2021 at 6:08 pm

    I’ve never been, but obviously the gondolas are a must!

    Comment

  5. User: Shirley Ann Lumley

    Posted on: 02/10/2021 at 3:32 pm

    Oh , the next best thing to a visit !

    Comment

  6. User: emilycomp

    Posted on: 02/10/2021 at 10:40 am

    I have never been, it was supposed to be the city break of 2020, so yeah, didnt happen!

    Comment

  7. User: Sheena Read

    Posted on: 02/10/2021 at 10:29 am

    Gondolas, waterways and historic buildings.

    Comment

  8. User: Andrzej Szymanski

    Posted on: 02/10/2021 at 12:00 am

    I visited Venice during a school trip to Italy. If I’m ever in love again, I’d want to return to this beautiful pace, go on a gondola ride, eat some wonderful food and see the sights.

    Comment

  9. User: Jennie Stallard

    Posted on: 01/10/2021 at 9:58 pm

    I’ve never been but the first thing i think about is the fact that it floods and how they have to raise things in the square – it must be difficult for them at times.

    Comment

  10. User: mumliz

    Posted on: 01/10/2021 at 7:40 pm

    the fact that ive never been and would love to!

    Comment

  11. User: Patricia Avery

    Posted on: 01/10/2021 at 6:47 pm

    If ever I could overcome my fear of flying then Venice would be top of my list for places to visit for the history and of course the canals.

    Comment

  12. User: mrspale

    Posted on: 01/10/2021 at 4:33 pm

    I’ve never been to Italy but always wanted to go to Venice, I always associate it with the gondola-filled canals!

    Comment

  13. User: janine atkin

    Posted on: 01/10/2021 at 3:15 pm

    i think of gondolas

    Comment

  14. User: Whizadora

    Posted on: 01/10/2021 at 3:08 pm

    I’ve always wanted to go to Venice, I always associate it with the canals!

    Comment

  15. User: Kay Gerken

    Posted on: 01/10/2021 at 3:06 pm

    Visit the Doge’s Palace – fascinating. But remember to book tickets before you go.

    Comment

  16. User: Ray Skarratt

    Posted on: 01/10/2021 at 2:34 pm

    I think of coffee in the squares and boats. I have only been to the airport 3 times Never to the town.

    Comment

  17. User: Michelle Turner

    Posted on: 01/10/2021 at 2:00 pm

    I’ve sadly never been to Venice although I have always wanted to go. I’d probably need to visit at least twice though as as much as I would love to visit during Carnevale, I suspect much of it’s charm, along with it’s traditions and culture, has been lost to tourism and I really want to see the ‘real’ Venice. Having said that, I have heard that only the extremely wealthy can afford to live in Venice now so I am not sure that the Venice of old that has always fascinated me even exists anymore. Probably part of the reason I haven’t already been – I’m afraid to be disappointed.
    I’d love to read these books to find out more from an insider’s viewpoint as perhaps this will allay my fears and I will get to fall back in love with Venice after all.

    Comment

  18. User: LeeN637

    Posted on: 01/10/2021 at 1:49 pm

    The gondolas, and their Gondoliers.

    Comment

  19. User: Claire Mitchell

    Posted on: 01/10/2021 at 11:46 am

    Travel like the locals and take the Linea 1 vaporetto all the way from Piazzale Roma to the Lido. You’ll get to see all the best parts of the city including the Rialto Bridge and Piazza San Marco.

    Comment

  20. User: Boxfords

    Posted on: 01/10/2021 at 11:06 am

    Despite it being on my bucket list I’ve never been to Venice. It looked so weirdly beautiful during the lockdowns and to have wandered the empty streets would have been a dream. One day I’ll get there but I think it will probably be a little bit busier than during those sad days of lockdown.

    Comment

  21. User: Leah Tonna

    Posted on: 01/10/2021 at 10:58 am

    I never got to see Venice tho’ I should have done back in the 90s. I’d bought tickets for my daughter & myself for a full day excursion from Rimini where we were staying. Straphanging on a busy local bus my purse was stolen along with the tickets, our money, ID etc, spent the journey time at the Police Station instead.

    Comment

  22. User: claramarthawil

    Posted on: 01/10/2021 at 8:54 am

    If you stroll beyond St Marks Square – not only does Venice become much more reasonable on your wallet but you get a real “neighbourhood” vibe. We found many cosy, friendly restaurants in the Dorsoduro area which we loved

    Comment

  23. User: Erica Hughes

    Posted on: 30/09/2021 at 4:58 pm

    I got engaged in Venice (we are now divorced), but I still love the place.

    Comment

  24. User: Angela Kelly

    Posted on: 30/09/2021 at 2:59 pm

    My Mum said Venice was ‘smelly,’ but she judges places by strange standards! I wouls like to visit one day.

    Comment

  25. User: Leslie Evans

    Posted on: 30/09/2021 at 3:59 am

    Sitting by one of the Canals Drinking Lager and having some food watching the world go by.

    Comment

  26. User: Xanthe Davies

    Posted on: 29/09/2021 at 6:36 am

    When in Venice, the iconic, spiritual home of opera, make sure you experience a performance at the Grand Teatro La Fenice.

    Comment

  27. User: MANDY DAVIES

    Posted on: 29/09/2021 at 6:16 am

    Venice is the iconic, spiritual home of opera and where better to enjoy a performance than at the atmospheric and beautiful Gran Teatro La Fenice.

    Comment

  28. User: Rosiej

    Posted on: 28/09/2021 at 2:28 pm

    My parents were a very elegant couple and visited Venice every year and whenever I go to Venice I see their ghosts I every corner of the city

    Comment

  29. User: Caroline Shepherd

    Posted on: 28/09/2021 at 11:10 am

    Love Venice! We went there on honeymoon and it’s our fifteenth anniversary coming up next year so would love to go again. My tip is to use the traghetto gondolas to cross the Grand Canal – a cheap and fun way to get the Venice experience.

    Comment

  30. User: Helen Yendall

    Posted on: 28/09/2021 at 8:47 am

    I went to Venice on a very romantic trip with my, at the time, new partner (now husband) about 15 years ago. It was Valentine’s weekend but sadly the gondoliers were on strike! (I kid you not), so I definitely need to go back to have a gondola ride. My top tip would be, splash out, if you can and take a private water taxi across the lagoon from the airport into Venice. We did ours at night and it was magical.

    Comment

  31. User: shane weir

    Posted on: 27/09/2021 at 9:11 pm

    I would love to go with my wife

    Comment

  32. User: Mandy

    Posted on: 27/09/2021 at 7:47 pm

    Love the idea of a gondola ride.. with a cornetto

    Comment

  33. User: C rooney

    Posted on: 27/09/2021 at 6:09 pm

    Settle on a balcony with a book, looking out at the boats and beautiful buildings, every time u glanced up from your book.

    Comment

  34. User: joanneb

    Posted on: 27/09/2021 at 12:35 pm

    I’m planning on a trip to Venice next year and have been advised to get a speedboat transfer from the airport. I think of canals and gondolas when I think of Venice. There’s so much more to see though.

    Comment

  35. User: Sushka

    Posted on: 26/09/2021 at 11:37 pm

    Gondola tour! I would love to do that!! I haven’t been there yet

    Comment

  36. User: becksta75

    Posted on: 26/09/2021 at 11:29 pm

    I went to Venice with my mum and best friend. My dad had given us money to splash out on a gondola ride when we visited and it gave us some wonderful memories.

    Comment

  37. User: Linda Rumsey

    Posted on: 26/09/2021 at 10:46 pm

    I haven’t been to Venice but I’d love to go as it looks so romantic!

    Comment

  38. User: Tess P

    Posted on: 26/09/2021 at 5:35 pm

    What comes to mind for me is that my Dad went to Venice on BOTH his honeymoons. On the first (with my Mother) he refused to pay for a gondola. He’d learnt his lesson by the time it got to the second.

    Comment

  39. User: Rich Tyler

    Posted on: 26/09/2021 at 11:49 am

    I’ve been once, I’d love to visit again

    Comment

  40. User: galadrial

    Posted on: 25/09/2021 at 5:36 pm

    I have never been to Venice but it is somewhere I would love to visit.

    Comment

  41. User: Pengwen

    Posted on: 25/09/2021 at 4:11 pm

    I have never been,but would love to see the waterways,the arched bridges over the water and, while being seated in a gondola, admire the classic architecture and scenes.l look forward to seeing the beautiful glassware there too.

    Comment

  42. User: Laura Pritchard

    Posted on: 25/09/2021 at 2:11 pm

    I’ve never been, but would love to do a Gondola tour!

    Comment

  43. User: claire woods

    Posted on: 25/09/2021 at 9:58 am

    Gondolas!

    Comment

  44. User: Krys Pitt

    Posted on: 25/09/2021 at 9:12 am

    Beautiful architecture, romance – would love to go to Venice one day.

    Comment

  45. User: AnnieGones

    Posted on: 25/09/2021 at 6:25 am

    I’ve never been but a member of our work book group has – these titles would certainly give the rest of us a flavour of Venice!

    Comment

  46. User: Heather N

    Posted on: 25/09/2021 at 5:26 am

    I was lucky enough to visit Venice many years ago and it was an amazing place. I’d love to go back for a longer trip to properly explore everything.

    Comment

  47. User: Sheena Batey

    Posted on: 24/09/2021 at 9:42 pm

    I thought it was a truly magical place

    Comment

  48. User: Joy Turner

    Posted on: 24/09/2021 at 7:19 pm

    Don’t bother to buy a drink in St Mark’s Square unless you’re planning to take out a second mortgage!

    Comment

  49. User: HLS19

    Posted on: 24/09/2021 at 7:14 pm

    I think of first realising I was in love with my partner, we’re now hoping to get married on Torcello

    Comment

  50. User: lakes

    Posted on: 24/09/2021 at 6:22 pm

    We loved Venice, but it can be cool and breezy. The glassblowing is amazing on nearby Murano. Our gondolier sang to us, but was also having a cheeky cigarette. It can get really busy with tourists. It was lovely in the evening having a walk around the streets and over the bridges when it was quieter.

    Comment

  51. User: TP21

    Posted on: 24/09/2021 at 5:44 pm

    Gondolas & beautiful glassware

    Comment

  52. User: purplepeepers

    Posted on: 24/09/2021 at 4:14 pm

    I think of, and remember, getting lost in the calli and alleyways of Venice like in the film “Don’t Look Now” because I always do get lost and cant find my way around once you leave the Grand Canal.

    Comment

  53. User: Annette Oliver

    Posted on: 24/09/2021 at 4:09 pm

    There are lots of hidden gems in the back streets, churches, bridges, theatres and cafes

    Comment

  54. User: rebeccaelaine

    Posted on: 24/09/2021 at 3:20 pm

    I think of beautiful weather.

    Comment

  55. User: AdiLee

    Posted on: 24/09/2021 at 3:08 pm

    I would love to visit Venice,it’s on my wish list, with a few other places,lol.

    Comment

  56. User: bopper

    Posted on: 24/09/2021 at 2:46 pm

    having been, and got there late, I remember the torrid time I had in trying to get across to Giudecca for my hostel bed accommodation – I’d definitely give myself more time in future – it was a lovely place though

    Comment

  57. User: Kara Harrison

    Posted on: 24/09/2021 at 1:54 pm

    I’ve never been, but I think about wandering over bridges next to the canals, hand in hand with my partner

    Comment

  58. User: Natalia S

    Posted on: 24/09/2021 at 1:46 pm

    I love that Venice may be so different. There’s main tourist’s Venice, and there are islands of Murano, Burano and Lido beaches. Also absolutely love the boat from the airport!

    Comment

  59. User: Mrs Carol Brennan

    Posted on: 24/09/2021 at 1:43 pm

    Absolutely love Venice, it is a wonderful place to get lost (and we did literally)!

    Comment

  60. User: Plumbobmummy

    Posted on: 24/09/2021 at 1:07 pm

    When I hear Venice I immediately think of gondolas down the canal, I dream of visiting with my husband one day.

    Comment

  61. User: Rebecca

    Posted on: 24/09/2021 at 12:50 pm

    It has to be the canals and architecture of the city!

    Comment

  62. User: Valerie Brown

    Posted on: 24/09/2021 at 11:53 am

    I really loved a visit to Venice. For readers there is a great series of books by Donna Leon – author of a series of crime novels set in Venice, Italy, featuring the fictional hero Commissario Guido Brunetti.

    Comment

  63. User: Marycarol

    Posted on: 24/09/2021 at 8:13 am

    Venice was amazing! I think of beautiful buildings, narrow streets, bridges and canals and of course gondolas

    Comment

  64. User: kathleen hooper

    Posted on: 24/09/2021 at 7:51 am

    when i hear Venice i think GONDOLAS!

    Comment

  65. User: Suzanne

    Posted on: 24/09/2021 at 6:30 am

    Love the unique waterways of this stunning city, the food, people and fantastic culture.

    Comment

  66. User: denise bracken

    Posted on: 24/09/2021 at 6:05 am

    Beautiful

    Comment

  67. User: Aesop58

    Posted on: 24/09/2021 at 4:42 am

    Avoid the tourist areas and seek out the local venetians in the bars and cafes

    Comment

  68. User: Sarah Parker

    Posted on: 23/09/2021 at 9:55 pm

    I loved the museums in Venice 🙂

    Comment

  69. User: Laura

    Posted on: 23/09/2021 at 9:35 pm

    I’ve never been to Venice but I always think of gondolas and romance when I do

    Comment

  70. User: LollyP

    Posted on: 23/09/2021 at 9:00 pm

    Probably not what the Tourist Board would like, but the film Don’t Look Now!

    Comment

  71. User: redfox5

    Posted on: 23/09/2021 at 8:55 pm

    I would love to have a Gondola ride. This is what I think of when I think of Venice. I hope I get to go someday.

    Comment

  72. User: I like reading

    Posted on: 23/09/2021 at 7:33 pm

    Hello, I haven’t been to Venice but I would love to. I think of canals when I think of Venice, I just think they are amazing! I saw a really interesting programme about resturants in Venice and it looked so elegant and interesting!

    Comment

  73. User: Margaret Gallagher

    Posted on: 23/09/2021 at 11:10 am

    Absolutely loved VENICE – The culture the food the gondola ride – cant wait to go back

    Comment

  74. User: Lynne Elsisy

    Posted on: 22/09/2021 at 8:52 am

    Venice is the place I have promised myself I will go when the pandemic is over. The thought of it sustains me on difficult days.

    Comment

  75. User: Lisa

    Posted on: 21/09/2021 at 2:00 pm

    When I think of Venice I think of The Carnival of Venice with its elaborate masks and costumes. I also think of gondolas, the Grand Canal, and St. Mark’s Square and Basilica.

    Comment

  76. User: Lesley Morton-Evans

    Posted on: 21/09/2021 at 12:21 pm

    With each visit to Venice there is always something new to discover. It is fabulous to see the famous sights but it’s just as wonderful to explore the side streets. Walk over a bridge and see where it takes you. The coffee and food tastes just as good without prices inflated for tourists. I love everything about Venice but the most memorable and thrilling experience is arriving by water taxi .

    Comment

  77. User: Annie T

    Posted on: 20/09/2021 at 1:48 pm

    I’ve been to Venice a few times and it’s the place I would go if I was told I could only ever go one place again. My three top tips would be: arrive by water taxi at least once. It’s the closest you’ll get to being in a Bond movie. Ditch the pricey walking tour of St Mark’s and go to a service. It’s less crowded and the lights are on the golden mosaics all the time. Walk, walk, walk. Buy a walking guide book and self guide – it means you can take all day to go only three blocks and stop wherever takes your fancy for a “Select” (Venice’s own version of Aperol).

    Comment

  78. User: Andrea Hedgcock

    Posted on: 20/09/2021 at 11:42 am

    I’ve never been to Venice. Part of me would love to go but I also don’t want to be just another numbered tourist. We saw how beautiful it looked during lockdown, shame the hoards of tourist will swarm the place again.

    Comment

  79. User: Sue Barton

    Posted on: 20/09/2021 at 11:36 am

    When I think of beautiful Venice, I dream of arriving by water taxi and seeing the beautiful dome of the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute appear in the haze above the water. Then later, relaxing in the Piazza San Marco.

    Comment

  80. User: Michelle Ptak

    Posted on: 20/09/2021 at 7:27 am

    Have never been to Venice but a place I would love to visit one day. I have heard it is best going in either Spring or Autumn when it is cooler. I would love to go and sit in St Marks Square with a glass of wine and just listen to the music and people watch!

    Comment

  81. User: eshaah1

    Posted on: 20/09/2021 at 12:38 am

    The water pollution problem

    Comment

  82. User: philatel

    Posted on: 19/09/2021 at 7:38 pm

    I visited Venice in 1966 – a very long time ago I loved it and, apart from visiting the Murano factory to see the glass objects being made, my lasting memory was our last night when we sat in St Marks Square listening to the music and drinking the most expensive cup of coffee I have ever had. I would love to go back one day.

    Comment

  83. User: enice

    Posted on: 19/09/2021 at 7:14 pm

    I have been to Venice 4 times and adore it. when I think of Venice i think of romance, moonlight over the Grand Canal, beautiful carnival masks and Amore amore ! I would highly recommend exploring ( and maybe staying ) in the less touristy areas, ie Cannaregio , Santa Croce,or nearby.

    Comment

  84. User: Rachel Hall

    Posted on: 19/09/2021 at 6:11 pm

    Nathan Sutherland making Federica a Spritz Nathan in the Phillip Gwynn Jones books! I have never been but have read a few books set in the city.

    Comment

  85. User: Julie ryan

    Posted on: 19/09/2021 at 5:40 pm

    Loved Venice. Arriving at the station and seeing the Bridge of sighs. Fab

    Comment

  86. User: Kathleen marsden

    Posted on: 19/09/2021 at 5:39 pm

    Yes I’ve been and the most beautiful place is St Mark’s Basilica. Really stunning

    Comment