Gratefully greeting 2026 in Venetian light

Murano glass, Venetian glass, known the world over. A mark of quality, craftsmanship, and continuity. Griffon, cast in silver, represents courage, strength, majesty, and guardianship. These symbols resonated with the ambiance of our magical new year celebrations.

In general, we live a life of extremes. Black or white. On or off. We are not people to do things in halves. New year can as easily be seen in at home with a bottle of bubbles, alone, just us two or in some far-flung land racing cars. There is very little in between. Traveling on the new year is a hard stop no. 2026 literally broke every single ‘norm’, in my mind, a fortuitous way to start a new year.

An unexpected call from recent friends brought a generous invitation,“Come, be our guests for the new year in Venice.”

Anyone who knows me, knows my response. No questions asked, “yes, thank you.” Anyone who knows my husband, knows he can be, reluctant to move. He takes the idea of minimum effort for maximum effect to champion levels. He has turned down more invitations to exotic places, fabulous parties, wonderful outings, and wondrous adventures than ten people combined. On this occasion, we were completely in sync, for the first time in our nearly 20 years he said, “yes, thank you” as quickly and as gratefully as I did. Auspicious mark of a new era.

Our trip was charmed at every turn, and our hosts were the most charming of all. Simply being themselves they gave us a gift beyond measure. From the minute we arrived we were invited to feel like guests in the truest sense of the word. Every meal shared was a feast enjoyed with ease, storytelling, debate, and raucous laughter. Every moment of free time was another kind of feast. Venice in its most glorious winter lights, a gift beyond compare, three magical days, as guests, to begin the new year.

More than a decade living in Russia and Turkey taught me the honor and respect of the word guest. In both cultures, the guest is a gift, and hospitality overflows. Visiting friends in Syria in 2010 we experienced this hospitality even with total strangers, inviting us into their homes for coffee. Living in Europe for nearly 20 years, I am most often the hostess. We love to share meals in our home with friends, and having a guest for me is a sacred gift. For sure, we are lucky enough to be guests, all over the world, with equal frequency and our new year experience in Venice found me overwhelmed with gratitude, nearly speechless even, being a guest.

On top of all the other generosities of our hosts, the very chance to be in Venice in winter, for me the most magical time, was astounding. The play of light is its own universe, and I took every chance to be in this light. Below are various photos attempting to share the light. As well the joyous, magical moments of our time shared.

30 December, a kaleidoscope of light and good cheer with our guest companion Stefania

Fish shopping with a native Venetian make a trip to the fish market an adventure on new year's eve morning

Thanks to Stefania, our fellow guest, for sharing her wish to visit the San Rocco school of art.

She opened for me whole new vistas

Watching light change before my eyes in Venice for my personal new year eve ritual. Specifically on the Zattere side opposite the Giudecca. I started out at the very tip, the port of San Basilio, and traversed to the Church of St. Mary of the Rosary.

New year's eve 2025 - the luckiest woman on earth - the light playing on the water

Then there was dinner! Laura and Sandro treated us to aquatic delicacies combined with delicious wines on a table set with elegance and thought. The best part, the company. In five, stories flowed like wine, laughter shone like candlelight and the whole evening was a joy. Welcome 2026!

First morning of 2026 more glorious light on a frosty walk through nearly empty streets. Then a return for a wonderful first lunch of the year.

Farewell for this time Venice, thank you for everything.