Whirlwind in Venice and On to Rome

Phew....we are glad to be back online after suffering from no internet access in Venice. We left Vienna on Sunday for a 630 km trip to Venice on the train.

The Austrian country side was truly a sight to be hold. There was vineyard after vineyard, and quent little Austrian houses all along the way.







Even though I was quite tired from getting up at 4:00 a.m., I could not let myself fall asleep and miss any of the scenery.

Once we were in Italy it really started to remind us of home with the mountains in the background.

We arrived safely in Venice late in the afternoon to 33C temperatures and throngs of people.






We had to take a water taxi to our hotel as it was near Piazza San Marco and looked onto the Bacino di San Marco. It was an enjoyable ride down the Grand Canal. No cars or bicycles are allowed on the island.

Jim and Joey sat in the back of the taxi to enjoy the sights and sounds.

We enjoyed some pasta and retired early to prepare for our full day on Monday.






We started on Monday with a visit to Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace).



This picture was taken in the court yard.























Once we finished, we were in serious need of some lunch so we stopped at Cafe Florian, which looks onto Piazza San Marco (for those of you who do not like pigeons this is not the place to stop). Little did we know that while we were being serenaded by the little orchestra that there was a 6 euro/person charged tacked onto your bill for that musical enjoyment.





Next....we went to see the Basilica of San Marco, and paid the 4 euro/person charge to head up to the terrace and enjoy the view down the Piazza.

Then, we headed over to the Rialto Bridge. This was probably the most expensive walk we have taken on the trip. As you wind through the narrow walkways there is store after store filled with Murano glass and mascaraed masks (from the mass produced to the elegant ones completed with Swaroski crystals).



Here is a picture of Joey wearing one of the masks that we bought. He picked this one out for himself.










We could not leave Venice without taking a Gondola ride, so we broaded near our hotel, and took the 30 minute 'mini' tour down the canal ways.

Here is a great shot of Joey on the front of the Gondola as we pass under the Bridge of Sighs. The Bridge connects the Doge Palace to the prison.






Here is a fantastic shot of the Grand Canal from the Rialto Bridge.

We attempted to visit the vegetable and fish market but it was closed on Mondays.








We finished the evening off with....you guessed it....more pasta and gelato as we watched the sunset over Venice.

Another fantastic city and experience.

Today, we rode the train from Venice to Rome. It was the EuroStar Italia high speed train, so it only took a mere 4.5 hours.

This is a shot looking up the Spanish Steps. Our hotel is at the top of the steps.

We capped the evening off with drinks on the 6th floor terrace of our hotel watching the sunset on Rome, and look forward to a full day of sightseeing tomorrow....and yes...more pasta!