Just Like the Real One in Vegas

Venice, Italy – it’s just like the real one in Vegas, but with more pigeons. We arrived here yesterday and turned in Lucille (and the car she is attached to) at the airport and then took a water taxi to our hotel near San Marco. This all happened in the middle of a thunderstorm with lightning and driving rain, but it was still exciting to see Venice (Italy) for the first time. Our hotel was a really nice surprise. When you book a room off the internet, you never really know what you are going to get. This time it turned out rather well. Our room has a balcony and overlooks the San Moisé canal. It comes complete with a pink and powder blue Murano chandelier.We can hear the gondoliers singing all day as they pass under our window. This can be either romantic or annoying depending on your mood. Some gondoliers are better singers than others.

The tourist horde has apparently followed us here from Tuscany but, like Siena, the streets here are almost deserted at dawn and it has been fun for me to get out early and explore. Carol does not share this view. As she points out, the stores are not open at 6am. Later in the day, we took the complimentary water taxi to the island of Murano where we received a complimentary tour of the glass factory. This was followed by the mandatory tour of the glass showroom where we valiantly resisted the suggestion that we purchase a set of water glasses at €110 each (minimum quantity 6). Carol was inspired, however, to add glass to her shopping requirements.

Meanwhile, Bruce and Carla are driving to Florence, with stops in Chianti country on the way. Carol and I really enjoyed the time we got to spend with them; it was sort of like having wine group every day.