Venice

A man works on a gondola in a quiet back part of Venice

Saturday, October 25

One of the most amazing drives lies ahead of us as we head for Italy through the stunning Brenner Pass. This is several hours of 'oohs and aahs' as we descend to the Italian plain. 

We arrive at our hotel in style. When we get to Venice, we park at a garage and walk a short distance to the taxi dock, where we get a private taxi into the city center and to a dock near our hotel. This is a fabulous way to enter Venice, and we take the same way out when we leave. 

Arrival in the middle of the afternoon in Venice, two nights at our favorite hotel, the Flora, which has just celebrated 50 years in the Romanelli family. 

What we love about this hotel is that it is centrally located less than five mins walk from the Piazza San Marco and the heart of Venice, yet in a very quiet, tucked away place. It is an oasis of calm in an otherwise hectic, packed city which can sort of get on your nerves after a day or so.

Sunday, October 26  

Venice 

James shows you the Bridge of Sighs, the Rialto Bridge, cruise on the Grand Canal on a water bus (fun!) and later have dinner in Jim’s favorite little hole in the wall on the other side of the Grand Canal from our hotel.  We also get 'lost' in some of the little-explored but very atmospheric back canals and squares of Venice. This is the way to truly experience this amazing city. Bring good walking shoes because we will be doing a lot of it.

Venice is crowded at all times.

The oasis of the Hotel Flora garden

Quiet, back street Venice. Jim takes you there.

Three modes of transportation, a simple water taxi at far left, a water bus and a private water taxi at right.

The Bridge of Sighs

Tuscany Part 1

The Ponte Vecchio in Florence was once the place of craftsmen who lived above 

their shops. 

Monday, October 27

South to Tuscany

Our longest drive of the trip at about five hours but through some splendid countryside. We headquarter in the walled small city of San Gimignano at a B&B there. (Recall that we switched from Lucca to San G. because there is a huge festival going on in Lucca at this time and there was nothing available, plus the hosts that Jenean had in April advised against visiting Lucca during this week due to the enormous crowds)

Day trips from there:

·        Florence to see David, the Baptistry Doors, the Cathedral (outside, as it is rather plain inside) the Piazza Signorela and of course the Ponte Vecchio or old bridge.

·        Leaning Tower of Pisa

·        Enjoying the medieval atmosphere of San Gimignano, which is best at night after the tourists disperse. The town is lit up at night and it is magnificent.

Tuesday, October 28 – San Gimignano

Taking it easy after the long drive the previous day. A day spent on two feet rather than in the van. Exploring the town. People watching in the square. Eating gelato. You can climb up into one of the towers for a cool view.

Wednesday, October 29 – Day trip to Florence

An hour drive to the capital city of Tuscany where we see Michelangelo's David plus the town hall area, the old bridge and more. Lunch in a special place with possibly the best bruschetta in Tuscany.  

 

An artist at work near the Uffizi Gallery 

 The facade of the Duomo