We had an optional tour of Venice today. Sara and Tiziano, a couple from our "Italian famiglia" here at La Contessina joined us for the train and vaporetto rides. This was Sara's first time to visit Venice too. The speedy train got us up there in two hours and we spent the rest of the day wandering and floating around Europe's only pedestrian city. No cars, no motorbikes and no bicycles to hinder us as we made our way through the alleys, over the hundreds of little bridges on the canals, and along the lagoon waterfront. After the vaporetto (city bus on water) took us down the grand canal we disembarked at the famous St. Mark's square. Following some orientation there, everyone was on his own to meet the group at the train station in a few hours for our return journey. There is no shortage of shopping and dining opportunities in Venice. Some of our group took a gondola ride through the smaller canals. At the appointed time everyone showed up at the station for the train trip back to Florence. It was a long day, but one that will be long remembered! Come along and see Venice with us in the photos today.
