Leaving Siena with car to Florence and then Arriving in Venice!

Wow we are on a Roll all right!  Woke up nice and early and got dressed packed and out we went on the road back to Florence!  We had to return the car by 11 am but of course we could return it sooner - so lets go Nico!

We enjoyed the hour ride back to Florence and found our way to the Train Station where Nick dropped me off with all the suitcases and then he went off with the car to return it to the rental agency.  Everything went smoothly and he was back within 40 min - and it was only 10:30 ~ good timing!

Nick went to the Ticket counter to inquire about Venice...while I waited in the coffee shop with all the luggage!  Team Work! 

He came back with 2 tickets yes - there was a train heading our at 12:15!  Good - way to go!  No problem booking these things right then & there!  We were always told "you have to book ahead during the busy season" BUT we have not had any problems with anything at all traveling as we have this past year...booking when we felt it was time to move on...to the next thing or town or whatever we were planning to do!  We would advise it for anyone...not to worry about scheduling everything ahead...it has definitely not been a problem with our travel plans.  We have also not had to pay more because of doing things this way!

So we relaxed - had a cup of coffee...and sat and waited for the train!  Nick had booked the faster train the Frecctargento



Frecctargento Train -    It was not as roomy as the InterCity train and it also did not have a lot of storage for luggage surprisingly...the vacationers had it stacked in this area and they kept having to jam in more suitcases as people got on board.  We were a bit surprised about that but we did want to experience this "sold called fast train" & it happened that it was the next train available to Venice! 40 Euro each to Venice - a 2.5 hr ride. 

We enjoyed the ride...looking out to the countryside and realizing we are going to  
Venice!  

        "VENEZIA" 

My oh My!!!

All at once...we were on a bridge,like we were crossing some water...but it opened up to more water ...and more water....and I said...Nick - I think we are getting  real close now!!! Could it be??????

 There in the distance...does that look familiar Nick??????

 Oh my...it is....it is Venice!!!!  Can you believe it...look..right on the water..NO a city in the water!!!!

 We have arrived in....

...Venice here we come!!!

 The Travelers...keep trekking! 

 Look how cute....Tickets for Train and  "water-bus" meaning of course the way to travel through Venice by boat!  Ha! Yes they have "taxi-boats" too! 

It was busy busy at the train station...many trains arriving and many trains departing!!!  People everywhere...it looked more like a airport!  .....AND THEN...WE WALKED OUT THE DOOR...AND COULDN'T BELIEVE OUR EYES....YES LOOK CLOSE...THERE WAS THE CANAL OF Venice right there - just outside the train station...you could walk over to the water, grab a taxi boat and off you go to your hotel!!! 

 We could not believe this scene!

 Do you see the water????  What an amazing sight to see when you first walk out of the station with your luggage huh?  We did not realize the train brings you right into Venice...right there on the Grand Canal! 

We did not have success the previous evening to find a BnB through Airbnb.com and figured we would deal with it when we arrived in Venice!  Well I parked my "bippy" right there on the platform outside the train station JUST TAKING in this marvelous sight...


and Nick wandered off...down the corridor to look!  He came back in about 20 minutes saying again..."we have a room"...with a BIG grin on his face!  And Oh My did we ever have a room....it was a wonderful old Venice hotel right on the Grand Canal...yes!  And it was a delight to roll our suitcases down the little street to it...maybe just a block down...and enter into the Lobby...LOOK how pretty! Hotel Continental ~ Venice
 

We checked in

The attendant brought our luggage BOTH AT THE SAME TIME...right up to our room on the 2nd floor! Ouch! We were both feeling "his" back!

 Down the hallway we went.....

Right into the first room on the corner, which gave us a darling view down to the cute street!
 

This girl couldn't have been more happy....it was a dream...we both were thrilled & beside ourselves!

The little shops down below..and this guy saw me taking pictures and waved up to me & gave me a big smile! Cute!

In the evening the lights went on and just standing there by the window and seeing all the action below was already a treat!  People wandering along...continually all day & eve...so fun!

So much to look at and such fun to listen too...down below in our hotel there is live music every evening...and she sings quite well...with popular songs....

"Hotel California" oh how funny - here we are in Venice and we are hearing that song again!




The last time we heard it was on an island in Thailand! 














We were excited to go for a stroll out after a rest from our travels!  We had been going since 7 am and we knew we had 3 days to enjoy Venice!
But as it got darker...the beautiful City of Venice became more beautiful! 

 People just sitting along the water enjoying the scene! 

 Right there is our hotel & dining area!  Can you believe it???? I can't!!!!!

 Yes and the Gandola's were busy taking couples out...and an evening ride....what a darling sight it all was!!!!!

 See our room?  Yes right there by the "TAL"

We enjoyed a glass of wine and Nick had a beer and we just sat there watching people stroll by and we could still not believe we were really really in Venice....but little by little we were getting convinced!!! The wine helped to take it all in! HA!

What a day we have had...and what a wonderful surprise to find ourselves right on the Grand Canal...we were thankful that we could not connect with the BnB - yes we were!

And now to get some sleep...could we possibly do that????  Well Nico can..always...but I kept looking out of my window below...and people continued to stroll about till late at night....& of course we can understand that too.....

                       ......they are in Venice!!!!

Goodnight with Love from...Venice, Italy!