I stayed at the Hotel Cipriani in 1989 and loved it. (Well, you should, shouldn't you?) Magical to look across the canal towards the old city lit up at night and somehow ringing with echoes of Vivaldi whose spirit sums it all up. Attended a concert of his music in the Vivaldi church, Santa Maria della Pieta. Then to sit out on the verandah for breakfast overlooking the lagoon! And Harry's Bar before dinner with the suave pianist, Massimo, from Mestre, who was an Ivor Novello fan. I remember there was an Olympic -size swimming pool which, at that time, was considered unique for a hotel.

But the food was out of this world. I don't know how they contrived it, unless by high-security marinade recipes and such, because it spoiled the palate for three weeks afterwards. I particularly recall the most divine Scotch salmon and fennel such as you'll never savour elsewhere, I am sure. It remains the culinary highlight of my life!

It seems rather sybaritic to reflect on that now, but I'm glad to have had the experience.