Centrale Hotel Malcesine

... I was walking and imagining how people used to leave here for centuries starting from Medieval times when Venice was the center of the Europe. Walking through that almost empty and peaceful tiny streets I could feel all the history of this gorgeous town. This was the REAL Venice. <br><br>I was just walking through this tale enjoying the morning when at about 10 o'clock 1000 of noisy, loudy tourists filled this wonderful place and began to ...

We are traveling today to Siena and won't be able to communicate for awhile so wanted to give a big shout out to our friend John Ruppe. Have a good one bro, we love you!! We also wanted to tell the Heavens above to give Mick's Grandpa Ted a kiss and hug and ask to ...

... lemon veal<br>(VERY modern bathroom). Walked past shops in via 22 Marzo to La Fenice Opera<br>House, Bacino Orseolo with lots of gondolas parked, St Mark's Sq, all the way<br>to Santa Maria Formosa where Guido grew up in Calle del Paradiso (very old).<br>Ice cream in San Lio. Walked to Rialto &amp; took vap to San Marcuola to<br>S&amp;Gs. Rested &amp; ate dinner at Pontini's ...

... into Mick I spilled the wine ,right? But get over this the guy took the picture of us with the wine spilled anyway I am attaching both and you will see. Met a lot of nice people today, (Americans) because we were wearing our Cardinal stuff. I did not know there were so many Americans. You are afraid to talk because right away you get the cold shoulder from the Italians so you just stop talking to people and you ...

We made our first trip to Venice today after a failed attempt of getting on the wrong train and going all the way to Slovenia! We were happy that we got it right this time! And since it is January, it was a bit on the cold side. But we had fun exploring and getting lost. I had no idea Venice was so big. We must have ...

... t a city I would have visited alone. Books: 1776 by David McCullough. A very detailed look at the state of affairs in the American colonies during that one year when so many momentous events occured, focused mainly with Washington's new army, his leadership, and the first few battles for independence. A great way to see again how fragile and undetermined things were at that time and even the very divisive public view of the conflict.

... can make comments back, but maybe its better this way since they cant understand English (or at least they act like they don't). Oh John K, this is just for you - there are lots of beautiful Italian women here. Tomorrow we are off on a couple of tours in Venice and a night ride of the canals which are really quite unique. We certainly are glad so many of you talked us into visiting Venice. Off to try load some photos.

... as the ride from Lucerne, was still full of excellent views of the snow-capped Alps and green valleys below. I had to change trains 2 times while still in Switzerland: first in Spiez, then again in Brig. Finally, I was heading across the border to Milan. I knew right away that I was in Italy; there were palm trees growing along side the villages. The terrain in the northern part of Italy, aside from the palm trees ...

... amarone, risotto that has soaked up so much amarone wine it is heavenly. Then on to southern Switzerland for the last 2 days. We stayed in a little village on Lake Lugano. Late afternoon swimming in the pool surrounded by palm trees, an afternoon ride up a funicular to the top of a mountain with incredible views, a ride around the lake on a cruise boat and lunch at the MacDonald's in Lugano (complete with gold gilt moldings and crystal chandeliers).

... and India and spirituality. Apparently, he wants to become a Buddhist, and has a guru, has become a vegetarian and is practicing abstinence. More information than is really necessary, but we finally manage to pull away and scoot up the stairs to our room on the second floor. Coming up: 16. Of secret itineraries and ghost walks... 17. The glassmakers and the lace makers...(Or Marco our Gondola man) 18. Michelangelo's David