Water, water everywhere...

All flights too somewhere are wonderful, the return...not so much. To every rule there is an exception. Swissair, soon to be bankrupt Swissair. A terminal that is a painted spot on the tarmac and a bus to take us there, thus our journey starts. Not with a whimper, but without luggage and a big splash. Our water taxi crossed wakes on the way to the hotel and only one person got wet, yep, Grace. So with no sleep, no dry clothes and no luggage enter Vanni, stage left! Dock actually. After such a terrible start things can only get better, right? Mezza mez on that. The luggage is found and delivered...thank you Vanni. I eat mussels (allergic!) and spend evening indisposed in the world's grandest toilet. Grace and Vanni water-taxi and walk all over Venice to find (successfully) an open pharmacy. Two immodium and a few hours of sleep later we leave my second favorite city in Italy, go figure!

Vanni is our guide, he not only our guide but the company lead guide and he proves it time after time. This trip has started and will proceed to Padua, Pisa and to our next stay, Florence. Free advice if Vanni tells you about a Bistro, Trattoria, ristorante or any other place to eat, proceed, not stopping at go directly there. He enjoys food as much as I do and he lives in food heaven.

OK, how do I follow my start in Venice? Lose the tour, pretty cool eh? Afterwards, loonng afterwards we could laugh about it. But we were staying outside the city so find a cab and pay the piper.

In the hotel just long enough to do a quick clean and change and off on the bus to dinner under the stars and the Duomo. Good food, laughter, music, wine and what ambiance. Things are looking up. The bus is high enough up so that your view of life changes or it could be that this isn't Kansas, Toto! Speaking of Toto, there he is on that scooter! Pretty girl and her dog out for a ride on their Vespa! I love this place!

The stay in Florence is 3 days and then off south. Siena next for a few hours. We visit the first church of the day and then have Vanni get us a cab to the next one...not going to get lost here. The Campo in Siena is the site for annual horse race (Palleo). Do  a visit to youtube for more on this incredible ride. On to Assisi. Out in the wonderful countryside, this is simply a stunning location.

The end of this day's trek brings us to the beginning of a love affair. Roma! Enter through the Piazza Republica and on to via Cavour and our home for the next few days. 0600, it's me and the cats at the collosium, I'm lost again. This is a different lost, one that I haven't ever recovered from. Or want to! I cry as we leave. So does Grace. It's now a tradition! But, we also cry as we arrive, different reason though. This is the halfway point for trip one. A good place to rest. Will follow with Pompeii,etc at a later time.   Ciao!