Day 21 - TT European Whirl (Day 4) Venezia

Today was amazing.

 

It started (unfortunately) yet again with that dreaded 6am wake up call.  Getting up at 6am isn't too bad.  It's the getting two teenagers up and packed and have bags outside rooms and down to breakfast by 6:30 that is a challenge.  Especially this morning as Tasha has a runny nose and slight temperature!

 

Our tour guide Sigi asked the rest of the tour if they had anything on them for Tasha to take and let me tell you... between the people on that bus we could have stocked a small pharmacy!  What amazed me was the over the counter medication that is available in some countries!

 

 

Anyway at 7:30 we were on the bus and headed over the Brenner Pass saying a sad farewell to Austria, which I have fallen in love with.

 

At 9:20 we stopped for a short rest break in the middle of some gorgeous country covered in vineyards and hills

 

Then at 11:45 we stopped for lunch - we had a good 45 minute break which was great.  We have been stopping at these roadhouses called Autogrill.  They are great - there is a sandwich counter and a self service area.  We chose to head to the self service as it was much easier.  You pick what you want, point and go line up and pay.

 

In most food places in Italy it can be confusing. They find it rude to have the same person handling the food and dealing with the money.   First you go to the counter and pick what you want.  Then you have to go to the cashier and pay for it (remembering the Italian name for it).  Then the cashier gives you a ticket that you take to the counter and the person behind the counter gets your food.

 

 

Anyway back on the bus and of to Venezia.  I am so excited.  Venice is a place I have wanted to visit since I was a little girl but one that I didn't think I would ever actually see.

 

We got off the bus on the mainland just before 2:00 and got on a private boat to head out to Venice.

Now I had been warned by others that I may be disappointed by Venice - be aware it smells and it is dirty.

 

I have to say it met my childhood dreams and much more.  I loved it!

 

We saw the Bridge of Sighs - so named as it linked the jail to the courts and quite often prisoners would have the last view of their familiy from the windows of that bridge on their way to prison after being sentenced.

 Doges palace was simply beautiful and the pictures do not do it justice.

 We went and saw a glass blowing demonstration by some of the Mureno glass factories which was amazing to watch.  Then we had free time.... to wander Venice....  Oh I loved it.
We wandered through shops, walked along streets and canals and took oh so many photos. 

 Then we met up with our group just after 5 and were split into groups of 6 for a gondola ride through the canals of Venice.  Don't know that you could call it romantic but it was wonderful to just sit and listen to the gondoliers singing as we waved to people walking over bridges and checked out buildings and bridges we would not have seen on foot. 

What an experience - one I will remember forever. 

We had Deana and Leona on our gondola with us and they were so funny to be with - Tasha was in hysterics and still laughs about some of the things Leona said.

 Alas our gondola ride was over way too quick - it took about 1/2 an hour.  So we then boarded yet another mode of transport - water taxi for a trip along the grand canal to look at the 1000 palaces. 

How I wish we could have stayed there for days and I hope to be back again one day.  It is a beautiful place.  I loved having the free time this afternoon to just wander and explore.  Oh and shop.

Miss Jane, you will be pleased to know that as per tradition  I bought myself a bag from Venice.  We saw a bride ( well two actually) and, of course, we had ice cream!

There is no way to describe today - if you get a chance you HAVE to do it.

Today tally

Steps  11701
Modes of water transport used:  3
Hours on bus: 6 hours