Day 30-32 Florence and Venice

Day 33 – In Venice

Well we woke this morning in Venice – bit strange after all our experiences so far.

We walked to Rialto bridge which is very famous and then tried to find a church on the other side of the canal – after getting lost and walking way past it we eventually found it – hadn’t realised how big Venice was and what a maze of streets there is. One minute you are walking with hundreds of tourists – take a turn and you are by your selves as if miles from everywhere. Prices certainly rose the closer to St Marks Square you got. There are cool shops everywhere on the island!( Shona addition)

We eventually went to St Marks Square – but it was pouring so everybody was under the shelter or had umbrellas up! We walked heaps – dodging the showers and hawkers selling bags! Great city you could obviously spend days exploring. Rain was very threatening at times – see our photo! (Shona again – so much for doing my hair!)

On the way back it was fine for a little time so all the gondola boats came out carrying people – one man was singing to them while he pushed his boat along. It sounded neat in the narrow canal.

Now recovering in hotel. ( Shona again – I don’t think I have done so much walking in my life!- Unfortunately internet has been down for a couple of days (they have the technicians in) so not sure when this will get posted!

Hopefully it will be fine so we can go and get some pizza and pasta for dinner! Tomorrow we might get on a water bus and visit some of the other islands of Burano and Murano – will depend a bit on weather!

(Shona again- this place is FANASTIC!!) Shops and eating places everywhere! Heaven!

Day 32 – Florence to Venice

Well a lazy start to the day – no pressure to arise! Wandered the streets looking further at the sites of Florence – found this amazing streets of market stalls just behind our hotel as well as market places full of fish, meat and fruit – bit smelly in places and the stands of some internal animal organs didn’t impress!

Off to the train station early – then the train was late! But all okay about 30 minutes of tunnel when we left Florence then very flat land until we got to Venice itself.

Caught our water taxi and discovered our hotel wasn’t that far from the rail station – but probably a bit far to walk! ESPECIALLY with our heavy bags and us not really knowing where we were going!!!!

Then Shona was in shoppers heaven with stall after stall within 50 metres of our hotel.

( Shona here) it was really really cool. And we have only gone one street from our hotel which is the other side of the big canal. FORGET the other side I say!!!!

Did stop for a wine – I ordered again and ended up with white wine again!!!!! was so sure I had it right too They don’t understand red! So we said Merlot -- they repeated it ! BUT wine came – must work on my Italian!!! Shona was not impressed – she ordered when we had tea later!!! ( Shona here again) I said NOW yes we do want wine! BUT not white The lady said they will probably understand more if you say it in English!!! YEAH right !!!! It made us laugh though. I think neat time I will bring pictures!!!

This is a wonderful fantastic place and can see it is going to be difficult to explore this place in only 2 days! We shall see.

Karen our travel agent you have done really well. Hotel fanastic!!

Hope you are all well at home XXXXXXXXXXXXX Shona and Barrie.

Day 31 – San Gimingano to Florence

Well last day in San Gimingano – a great place to visit. (view out our bedroom window - coolaye!)

Had a ride back to Florence about 9.30 after saying goodbye to Darren.

Once in Florence we all headed off in our different directions. After visiting our hotel (just 5 minutes from the railway station and Duomo) we went on a walk and visited many of the spots we had been to 16 years ago.

 Including the Duamo, Ponte Vecchio (shopping bridge), and joined the dozens of other tourists. Climbed the tower by the Duomo (all 410 steps – whew!) – like being in a plane from the top.

Had planned to go to the top of the cathedral but the tower is just as high so that was enough steps for one day! Feeling a bit zapped today – still getting over the cycle race I think and all the walking we did yesterday, so back to hotel relatively early for an early night – just as well since it poured just after we got back. Hopefully better weather on the other coast!