We’ll explore a different destination for each Book Club, and a lucky Silver Travel Book Club reader can win a free copy of that month’s book.
This month for our Silver Travel Book Club we are stepping into the enchanting world of Venice in 1486 with The Glassmaker by Tracy Chevalier.
Time flows like the exquisite glass crafted on the nearby island of Murano. At the heart of this story is Orsola Rosso, a woman defying societal norms to save her family from ruin. As she secretly navigates a male-dominated craft, Orsola’s journey unfolds against the backdrop of war, plague, and the complexities of love and loss.
Through her perseverance, she creates stunning beads that adorn the necks of empresses and courtesans from Paris to Vienna. Yet, despite her brilliance, will she ever gain the respect of those she holds dear?
Tracy Chevalier’s masterful storytelling offers a vivid, spellbinding portrait of a woman, her family, and the city of Venice, making The Glassmaker a captivating read that explores the themes of resilience and the pursuit of perfection. Join us as we delve into this beautifully crafted tale and discover the strength of a woman whose artistry transcends time.
Venice Awaits: Explore Its Hidden Treasures
Venice captivates visitors with its blend of rich history, timeless traditions, and stunning architecture. From the grandeur of St. Mark’s Basilica to the hidden charms of its winding canals, this iconic city is a treasure trove of unforgettable sights and experiences. Explore its labyrinth of alleys, discover the art of glassmaking on Murano, and lose yourself in the romance of a gondola ride.
Discover Venice
Venice is a city like no other, vibrant and rich in artistic expression. Its architecture reflects centuries of glory as a trading power, blending influences from across the Mediterranean. Explore iconic treasures like the Basilica di San Marco and Palazzo Ducale, or wander atmospheric backstreets to uncover hidden gems, from marble-clad churches to priceless artworks by Bellini and Titian.
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Paris to Venice
Begin your journey in Paris aboard the iconic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, enjoying exquisite cuisine, elegant dining cars, and stunning views of the Swiss Alps. Relax as the train glides through the Italian Dolomites, before arriving at Venice’s Santa Lucia Station. This luxurious experience is perfect for celebrating special occasions or simply indulging in an unforgettable holiday.
City Break in Venice
Venice’s canals, golden squares, and waterside palaces form a maze perfect for curious wanderers. Arrive by vaporetto to a skyline of gleaming palaces and marbled piazzas, then explore the hidden backstreets with quaint cafés and shops. Beyond the city, discover Murano’s glassblowing, Burano’s lace, and the Venice Lido, home to the renowned Film Festival.
How to win a copy of The Glassmaker
Comment below and tell us what would be top of your do-to list on a trip to Venice?
A winner will be chosen at random in early December 2024.
The competition closes on 30 November 2024.
Read more about all our Silver Travel Book Club reads.
63 Responses
People watching in St Marks Square
Gondola ride on the Canals
A nice meal
Doges Palace then gelato in St Marks Square
Sit with a cup of coffee and people watch in this stunning city.
A gondola ride!
I haven’t been to Venice since I was a child and I would love to take my daughter. I would eat pizza and watch the glass blowers. Seeing molten glass become tiny delicate animals is magical.
I went to Venice many years ago on a school trip. Would love to go again and retrace my steps and the sights.
Just soak in all the sites and dounds
It would have to be a gondola ride. It’s absolutely iconic!
A Gondola ride with my husband would be wonderful.
A Gondola ride, have to do it 🙂
I would love to watch the glass blowers and then go on a trip of all the great architecture.
Shopping, eating, drinking (not necessarily in that order)
A romantic gondola ride with my hubby to be. We are hoping to go to Venice after our wedding next September
Shopping for treats in the back streets.
A browse through the streets and replace my glass decorations that have been broken over the years
A visit to Venice is a long held wish,
my gondolier would be a dish,
wander around the streets all day,
then rest my legs at a street cafe.
Visit the beautiful Doge’s Palace.
A gondola ride with a cornetto 😅
I would visit the island of Murano to watch how they make Murano glass, and Burano for their lovely lace works
Ride down the Grand Canal under the Rialto bridge
I would ride a Gondola under the Bridge of Sighs and wander the quiet streets
It would be to take an early morning photo and have it published.
Top of my list on a visit to Venice would be to see inside St Mark’s Basilica.
I would leave straight away,one of the most horrible places I have ever been.Queues and rip offs ,and don’t even start me on the miserable gondola men! You would have to pay me to go there!
Visiting churches
We’ve just returned from our 12th trip to Venice, all but one taken in Oct./Nov. when it is less busy. Once again the weather was kind to us with blue skies and warm sun every day. In the past we’ve only taken a water taxi from or to the airport when there have been at least four of us and we could share the fare but this time we were extravagant and the two of us arrived at speed and in style (although our return was on a slower Alilaguna boat). In future I’d use a water taxi again if I possibly could.
Ride a gondalo with my daughter a special experience.
wander round the backstreets
Nothing fancy for me – just the chance to stroll the winding warren of streets finding little local places to stop for morning coffee, hearty pasta lunches and a warming late afternoon wine if I was really lucky!
Venice is a glorious place to catch a Vaporetto and wander in ‘Venice Time’. I have had fantastic food there, from the lightest, crispy-based pizza, to seafood that’s to die for. Art is everywhere, renaissance of course, but I particularly love the Guggenheim, with it’s olive tree presented by Yoko Ono. I must visit Murano next time I go. My first port of call would be a fabulous vintners, which is accessed via a plain wooden door. Once inside there are enormous glass vats of local wine, and a ‘bring your own’ empty bottle policy means you can fill up a litre water bottle for a few Euros. Fantastic! If I can’t get to Murano anytime soon, as a fan of historical fiction, I would love to see how Tracy Chevalier immerses us in this special place.
I would love to visit Caffe Florian where Casanova used to frequent. It looks amazing.
I’d visit the lovely, old fashioned, Hotel Flora and indulge in an Aperol Spritz in their garden – just love Venice!
We would love to go back as there is so much to see and do. We travelled before on the Orient Express and returned via Paris, where we celebrated our Ruby Wedding.
A gondola ride.
I’d love to do another boat trip around the islands – in particular Murano for it’s glass making factories and Burano for its colourful houses lining the canals. Such unique areas of Venice often overlooked!
If the timing was right, then the Art Biennale would be top of my list.
To return to St Mark’s Square for coffee and listen to a concert. When I was last there in the 1960’s, I had my most expensive cup of coffee I have ever had! Also I would like to go on a gondola again.
Try to visit the places we did not have time to see on our first visit.
Discover the hidden gems in the backstreets and stop for good food & wine!
Definitely a gondola ride before we’re too old. Afterwards a cool glass of wine in St Marks Square.
I’d leave the tourists in the popular busy areas and find myself a quiet street with restaurants frequented by locals where I’d feast on some Venetian specialties like Bigoli in salsa and Baccalà mantecato whilst watching the world go by. And if there was a bottle of something chilled on my table, well that would be even better.
A long anticipated gondola ride would be wonderful.
Love to see the canals by gondola and walk the golden squares and see the amazing waterside palaces and visit the backstreet cafe’s and shops and maybe finish up at the Venice Lido
Just to sit sit watch and take in the beauty of Venice the the bridge of sighs
Venice how wonderful and especially Murano glass, thank you for the chance
Would very much like to visit Murano as we did not have time on our last visit. I loved sitting in St. Marks square in a beautiful cafe having a great cup of coffee.
Simply walk and walk, basking in the sight of those wonderful buildings and canals and, when completely exhausted, stopping for coffee and watching the world go by.
After a visit to St Mark’s Square and a romantic gondola ride with my partner, it would have to be a trip out to Murano for the glass. This is a trip on my bucket list.
Exploring the islands of Murano and Burano and soaking up the different way of living.
Just sitting and taking in the surroundings and being in the moment.
Just being in Venice is enough but to sit in St Mark’s Square and have a coffee whilst watching the crowds would be a great start.
Visit the many churches with their wonderful works of art
Never been on a gondola, so that is the first thing that I would do!
Gondala ride followed by Bellinis
I would love to hop on a Gondola to visit the glassblowers at Murano and bring home a beautiful souvenir.
Love to go on a gondola ride then have a look at all the architecture it’s such a beautiful place
I would love to browse the mask shops and end the day with a Bellini at Harry’s Bar.
It simply has to be oohing and dithering over the purchase of a piece of Murano glass. Surely!
I would love to go to St Mark’s Square and see the Doge’s Palace with it’s fabulous works of art, beautiful apartments, and also the prison there.
Take a boat trip across the lagoon to Murano and Burano. If it is overcast the lagoon can be quite eerie and the islands are beautiful, a lovely break from the bustle of Venice.
You can’t go to Venice without enjoying a trip down the Grand Canal on a Gondola, stopping off at a coffee shop for a drink and a delicious patisserie.