Hotel Terme Posta Abano Terme

... and shout in minimum 100 different languages. Yes, everything became usual again... <br><br>At that time we hurried to the Square, we had to manage to visit at least the Doge's Palace. <br><br>First we tried to enter San Marco church BUT the queue!!!!!!!!! It was so big, we had no time.. <br>By the way, I learnt that the first coffee shop in Europe opened exactly on this square. Venice was then the biggest trading town in Europe, so it ...

... to sing Happy Birthday to him. He is gone from our world now and we miss him. Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday deaaaarrrrr John and Grandpaaaaaaa, Haaappppyyyy Birrrtttthhhdaaay ttoooo yooooouuuuu!!<br>Love<br>Mick and Lisa<br>XXXX<br>OOO

... 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 ...

... me, I love to start a conversation. Anyway, we met a guy from Detroi, two other guys from Washington, a girl from Arizona, a girl from Philladelphia and then a couple from Springfield. I was in talking heaven. We came back to our room, played cards and drank Budweiser we found at a grocery store here on Lido. Then journyed back for an evening stroll in Venice which turned into another evening "FALL" FOR ME!! Yes ...

... over 5 miles. <br>A lot of people told us we'd visit Venice regularly over the next few years while we are stationed in Aviano....and I think they might be right. Venice is an enchanting place, and the food is pretty darn good as well.<br>Allen and I are hopeless romantics, so this place seems to suite us well. ;)<br>

Mestre is just one station before Venice station - good spot out of the traffic of people to stay and commute into Venice either by train or bus. Venice is amazing and a good spot to visit in winter when the crowds are not too bad. Did a walking tour and also a canal tour - both highly recommended. Took Ferries all around and in particular over to Lido -

... the tight corners of the side canals and pointed out many historical sites. He also took us under the Bridge of Sighs and out onto the Grand Canal, which was beautiful but quite choppy. All in all, the gondola ride was a very romantic, once-in-a-lifetime experience. The whole city looks different from one of these boats and I highly recommend it. Afterwards, we went against every recommendation and decided to eat in a restaurant near St. Mark's Square, which ...

... from place to place. And since we no longer live in the era of horses these carts are powered with their own two feet. The two things that I will say about Venice are that 1) very beautiful and 2) very expensive. Oh yeah I guess that I should mention that between Florence and Venice we had a short stay in Siena. This has to be our favorite town. It has only about 50,000 people in it, but we had the best food and ice ...

... trip to catch all that we did not have a chance to see. Thankfully, being excited for Austria is making us forget that we have to leave Italy, and that we will be home in less than two weeks....wah wah! OH well, at least we get to see everyone and PREPARE yourselves, we are armed with pictures and video that may last well over an hour (that is without commentary of course) More later, Ciao! Kaylea and Matt

Hehe, I'm in VENICE!!! AHHH! I'm so excited. Just got here a while ago on a hellish train ride. I only have a few minutes on the net here at my place, but I will tell you about it later. This will be short. Made it to the train station in just over 6 hours, and half found the right way to the hostel. I gave up on my written directions and asked a passing priest the way to the church I was supposed to cross a bridge near. Yay! Found the church but didn't need to ...