Hooked on Venice!

I am hooked! I want to come back! Despite having been here many times, we have not visited this magical place for over 25 years. This morning we walked and walked through tiny alleys, over little bridges, across the Grand Canal as the city came to life. Being Sunday morning, the church bells pealed periodically, and most of the shops were shuttered. Dogs in various shapes and sizes were being walked, many of them with doggy coats – really?? I guess it is winter, but cold it was not.

Rather than take the vaporetta back to Piazzale Roma and onward to the Cruise Ship Terminal, we decided to walk – it was actually faster! My trusted and most used little red suitcase has reached the end of her life with a life threatening crack around one of the wheels, and I wasn’t sure we’d make it, but we did!

The embarkation process and boarding was very fast and efficient, and we are now in the Adriatic on our way to Bari, Italy.

A birthday in Venice

The ride from Piazzale Roma via water bus was not too shabby despite gloomy weather.

 

Dennis spent his 45th birthday here many moons ago, and now for my turn. Typically for the end of November, it was raining and cold, but we made a dash for a local osteria where we enjoyed a glass of wine before going to a nearby trattoria ‘San Toma’ for dinner – perfect on both counts.

Firenze .. Second day

We planned on taking a free walking tour of the city, but with inclement weather forecast, we took bus #12 from the station up to Piazzale Michaelangelo to see these terrific views of the city that I remember from 40 odd years ago!

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I love this 2fer!!

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Firenze … First day

Easy arrival at Hotel Grand Cavour in central Florence. Dennis and I set off on immediate exploration of surroundings to the river and Ponte Vecchio, where the lighting was excellent.

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A super dinner at a small trattoria that I thought looked appealing, and coincidentally Sandy had read about in her guide. Had we arrived 30 minutes later, a table would have been impossible to have.

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After dinner a stroll by the Duomo…

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Chianti region

Aaah! Chianti! A little over an hour’s drive through luscious hills covered with grape vines and olive groves. Our attempts to find some out of the way restaurants were fruitless, but once we got into Greve in Chianti and into its delightful main square – we forgot our quest. After inquiring at the small tourist information office about the best place for a late lunch, she spread her arms expansively and said we could go anywhere! So true. I had the best buffalo mozzarella I’ve ever had in my life – the mild flavour just exploded in my mouth, and delicious creamy milk seeped from the center, and to top it off, it was served with fresh figs, balsamico and oil!!!!! Aaah! To wash it down, a Chianti Classico! Life is good…..

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