Another #RideWithGWD story is ready to be told, with destination Venezia to attend Biennale di Arte 2017 in collaboration with Land Rover Italia & Valstar Milano 1911.
Leaving Milano
Coming back from Dubai a couple of weeks ago, we drove from Milano to Venezia with the amazingly designed Range Rover Velar; we thought this new model from Land Rover would be the perfect match to put us in the mood for the Biennale d’Arte in Venezia.
On our way to Venezia, we decided to stop at Lake Iseo to discover the beauty and wilderness of the pre-alpine lake in this inspiring period of the year, testing the Range Rover Velar capabilites.
Hotel Baglioni Luna
After a short but very exciting taxi boat trip, we finally arrived at destination!
For our two-night stay we chose an hystorical five star luxury hotel in San Marco district, Hotel Baglioni Luna.
Like a character from a Donna Leon novel, the Baglioni Hotel Luna is cloaked in history. A stone’s throw from St. Mark’s Square, the palazzo dates to 1118, and throughout the years has undergone transformations from a convent into an aristocratic palace and even a shelter for the Knights Templar. Today’s hotel brims with original details, like ornate stucco walls, Murano chandeliers, watercolor paintings and gold fixtures.
In the Marco Polo ballroom, reimagined as a spectacular dining room, the original ceiling frescoes are attributed to pupils of Tiepolo, the 18th century Venetian painter.
The view from our suite, San Giorgio isle.
Dining at Canova Restaurant
Right before dinner we experienced a delicious aperitivo served at the hotel bar tasting a Ferrari Maximum Rose’ paired with Prosciutto Crudo di Parma, Bresaola della Valtellina and aged Parmigiano Reggiano cheese slices.
Once finished the aperitivo, Executive Chef Alberto Rossetti welcomed us to dinner at the Canova Restaurant to savor the chef’s creations on the innovative à la carte menu enjoing a judicious combination of traditional Venetian cuisine with a modern twist and a dash of fresh creative verve.
Styling for Valstar Milano 1911
We chose to collaborate with Valstar Milano 1911 because we loved the brand aesthetic and its very Milanese heritage celebrated in more than one hundred years of innovation and craftmanship.
The first outfit featured a revisited version of the varsity jacket in red, paired with grey trousers, pullover and coppola.
For the second outfit we chose a powder blue suede jacket paired with blue corduroy trousers and navy blue turtleneck.
The third outfit was about green and pink shades, featuring the iconic Valstarino jacket.
Biennale Arte 2017
The 57th International Art Exhibition, titled Viva Arte Viva, was curated by Christine Macel and organised by La Biennale di Venezia chaired by Paolo Baratta.
The Exhibition included 86 National Participations in the historic Pavilions at the Giardini, at the Arsenale and in the city centre of Venice. Three countries participated for the first time: Antigua and Barbuda, Kiribati, and Nigeria.
The Italian Pavilion at the Tese delle Vergini in the Arsenale, sponsored and promoted by the Ministero dei Beni e delle Attività Culturali e del Turismo, Direzione Generale Arte e Architettura Contemporanee e Periferie Urbane, this year was curated by Cecilia Alemani.
We really enjoyed in particular two artworks, the first is from the Georgian artist Vajiko Chachkhiani named “A Living Dog in the Midst of Dead Lions” and consists of a small, abandoned wooden hut, which as been found in the Georgian Countryside. The hut contains all the objects that could be found in a typical dwelling, such as furnitures, and images of daily use objects…and it rains inside!
The second one is from Lisa Reihana a New Zealander artist who presented her work “Emissaries“. The vast panoramic video is a filmic reimagining of the Neoclassical French scenic wallpaper Les Sauvages de la Mer Pacifique, 1804—1805, also known as ‘Captain Cook’s voyages’.
Beautiful Venezia
Everytime we visit Venezia we get mesmerized by her magic touch, her melancholy feeling pervading every little calle; hereafter a selection of the beautiful views we enjoyed during our stay.
Scala Cantarini del Bovolo
This time we discovered a real hidden gem of this amazing city, Scala Cantarini del Bovolo.
Hidden in a maze of streets and canals, very close to Campo Manin, along one of the main tourist routes in Venice (railway – Academy), appears an architectural gem characterized by a style that is among Renaissance, Gothic and Byzantine.
Libreria Acqua Alta
Another remarkable place to visit is Libreria Acqua Alta an incredible book shop with a unique atmosphere and a great selection of books.
Driving back to Milano
On our way back to Milano, we stopped in Trieste and we had some shootings with the Range Rover Velar.
Another #RideWithGWD experience has come to an end, but be ready for the next #TravelWithGWD story in Bergamo. (19-21 December).
With love & style Charlene and Fabrizio.
