Venice after Cruise

The Rialto hotel was our home for two nights before coming home. Disembarking off the ship we walked quite a way to the water taxis to get our ride to the hotel and also a return ticket to the airport on Monday. The boat ride was picturesque weaving in and out of the waterways. The taxi stop was right outside the hotel. Kay and I find it hard stepping into a moving boat and not much better stepping out again. I try and get in and out quickly and glad when the exercise is over.

Kay was given a room on the first floor and Bec and I had to wait two hours for the room to be cleaned. We were in for a surprise when after negotiating two flights of stairs we were shown into a room with a great view of the Grand Canal. The room was on the fourth floor but strangely the lift only came to the second floor, hence the two flights of stairs.

      

                                                 Our "room with a view" 

The three of us crossed over the Rialto Bridge which is half under construction and not photogenic at all. We made our way through the masses of people who were crossing or taking photos down the Grand Canal. There are a few shops as well on the bridge that we took a look in after we had lunch. 

        

                                     The Rialto Bridge early morning before the crowds.

       

    

                                            Shops on the Rialto Bridge

       

                               Lunch near the hotel

        

                                               Our room

Unfortunately, the weather in Venice was dull and we had some rain during our stay. It didn't stop us doing anything though and Kay booked a Vavaldi concert close to the hotel in a church which she enjoyed. 

We enjoy walking through the streets of Venice and coming around corners to find a piazza or square that was new to us. We have enjoyed many a meal throughout Italy at little outdoor places and had a lovely last meal in a family run trattoria.

         

                                                 Cosy Trattoria 

         

Our Europe holiday was over. Good memories to last us for years to come. We packed up for the last time and caught the water taxi to Venice airport. A ten minute walk to the terminal from the water taxi and we were getting boarding passes and soon on our first flight Venice to Dubai a five hour trek. The plane was only half full and we knew the next 14 hour flight would be full.  We weren't very happy when we found that the three of us weren't sitting together . Bec was further to the front whilst Kay and I got stuck with a elderly Arabic man who spoke no English and seemed confused.  Not a happy end to our wonderful trip.

Fourteen long hours later we made it into Sydney and pleased to see John and Nathan waiting for Bec and I.

Kay did a wonderful job of being our travel guide, map reading, organising tickets on public transport etc. I wouldn't have seen all that I saw if not for her passion for the cities we visited.

My favorite city was Paris, followed by Rome and Venice. My favorite accommodation  was in Balleseede Castle in Ireland.

Already missing the beautiful sounds of the church bells in Italy and Paris. 

                                                                         Open my heart 

                                                                          And you will see

                                                                         Graved inside of it

                                                                                   Italy

                                                      

                                                                          (Robert Browning)