Our flight was a little late leaving Philly but Tom decided to upgrade our tickets so we suffered along in 1st class (Tom) and business class (me). Very nice! Hot towels and champagne and a seat that did everything but brush my teeth for me. We arrived in Rome close to our scheduled time, breezed through customs, caught a cab and were off. The ride through Rome to Roma Termini was scary (Rome crazy drivers) and fun...we went right past the Forum and around the Coliseum! We had an hour to kill until our train but found a seat and some very strong coffee.
The train was very comfortable and enjoyable as we sped through the gorgeous Italian countryside. Stops in Bologna, Florence (Santa Maria Novella), Padua and Mestre before arriving at 3:30 in Venice. I was thrilled when we stepped from the station out onto the edge of the Grand Canal! It was a spectacular day - brilliant sunshine and 72 degrees. I bought our Vaporetto tickets and off we went. I chose to take the #2 boat around the "back side" of Venice on the Giudecca Canal- not down the Grand Canal - figuring it would be our only chance to see that side. Coming toward San Giorgio Maggiore and then turning the corner to see St. Mark's, the Doge's Palace and that postcard view was dazzling.
Our hotel is perfect - a great location and yet quiet. It is just off the Fondamenta Degli Schiavoni very close to Piazza San Marco. From my window I can see the dome of San Zaccaria and the top of the Campanile in Piazza San Marco. Bella!
We pretty much dropped our bags and headed out to find something to eat around 5:30. This seemed to be a bit of a problem because some restaurants close Mondays and the dining hours for most are 11- 2 for lunch and 7-10 for dinner. We did, however, find a place where we had a glass of wine while we waited for the restaurant to open at 6:30. It is called the Aciugheta, or the "little anchovy"! Tom had the octopus salad and I had the cichetti (chee-keh-tee) which is small portions of food served on the same plate. Fantasic! I will try and describe it later...Ciao!
The train was very comfortable and enjoyable as we sped through the gorgeous Italian countryside. Stops in Bologna, Florence (Santa Maria Novella), Padua and Mestre before arriving at 3:30 in Venice. I was thrilled when we stepped from the station out onto the edge of the Grand Canal! It was a spectacular day - brilliant sunshine and 72 degrees. I bought our Vaporetto tickets and off we went. I chose to take the #2 boat around the "back side" of Venice on the Giudecca Canal- not down the Grand Canal - figuring it would be our only chance to see that side. Coming toward San Giorgio Maggiore and then turning the corner to see St. Mark's, the Doge's Palace and that postcard view was dazzling.
Our hotel is perfect - a great location and yet quiet. It is just off the Fondamenta Degli Schiavoni very close to Piazza San Marco. From my window I can see the dome of San Zaccaria and the top of the Campanile in Piazza San Marco. Bella!
We pretty much dropped our bags and headed out to find something to eat around 5:30. This seemed to be a bit of a problem because some restaurants close Mondays and the dining hours for most are 11- 2 for lunch and 7-10 for dinner. We did, however, find a place where we had a glass of wine while we waited for the restaurant to open at 6:30. It is called the Aciugheta, or the "little anchovy"! Tom had the octopus salad and I had the cichetti (chee-keh-tee) which is small portions of food served on the same plate. Fantasic! I will try and describe it later...Ciao!
The trip sounds fantastic so far!! You don't even mention being pooped!!!!! from all of that travel the first day! You really kept going!
ReplyDeletefun fun fun! will continue to read!
Kit
I love reading this it is like you are right here in the kitchen with me,however I do miss you see you soon.
ReplyDelete