Ohhh, Venice!!

Once again, up early to begin another adventure.
A great drive through the Apennines into the River Po country.

Arrived in Venice just after lunch.
This is such an amazing place.  Apparently though, it is sinking and may not be here by the year 2050.
Our hotel is on the old section which is all islands and no cars. We took a boat to the "islands".
We were a little uncomfortable sleeping on an island that is sinking, but I am sure it will hold up for tonight.  Our hotel, The Venezia is really exceptional, and newly built in the last year.  That is very unusual in this country where most everything is hundreds of years old.  The decor is gorgeous and we have most comfortable looking king size bed.  Can't wait to climb into it for the night.

As stated, we arrived in Venice in the early afternoon.  We walked along the boardwalk and over 3 bridges to reach the Gondola boats.  The boat held 6 people and we shared ours with a family from Toronto of all places.  A lovely couple with two young adult children.  It was really surreal riding through the canals on the gondola.  I felt like I was in a dream.

Next we went to St. Mark's Square where there are tons of shops and restaurants and cafes. We had drinks with some of our new friends and then met our guide and had another free drink on the plaza and listened to the beautiful band playing.

Free time for dinner at an Italian Restaurant (of course).  There's no point getting any other kind of food when you are in Italy We had dinner with eight other travellers from our group and then we had to rush to meet the rest of the party for a boat ride on the Grand Canal at night.

The lights of Venice at night on the canals is spectacular. This grand canal is much larger and is the 401 of canals as apposed to a two lane highway.  Transferred to another boat which took us to our hotel on one of Venice's (182) islands.  We are now experts at getting on and off boats!

Tomorrow we are off to Pisa and Florence.