Day 1: Thursday

A word of advice – don’t use Google Maps in Venice. It took us 1.5 hours to walk from the bus station to our hotel. The return journey, when we used a map, took 35 minutes! Not a great start as it was pouring and I had twisted my knee that morning getting out of our hotel’s shower over bath. We did get out and about though and experienced the Acqua Alta or High Water.

Day 2: Friday

We were woken by the sound of a World War 2 air raid siren at 7 am. Luckily I knew it was the Acqua Alta warning system and not bombers coming. It was a level 5 or very high water. After a lovely breakfast we headed out.  We were staying close to St Mark’s where the water is at it’s highest. Amazing to see how well organised the city workers are in laying out and assembling walkways above the water that allow pedestrians to get around. Again it rained for much of the day but in any circumstances Venice is stunning and you wouldn’t be anywhere else.

Day 3: Saturday

Saturday dawned fine and clear with no sirens. It was a freezing, blue sky winter day. First stop was the Information Centre at St Mark’s where we picked up day passes for the vaporettos or public buses. We headed out to scenic Murano, the famous glass manufacturing island. Unfortunately, as it was Saturday the glass blowing factories were closed but we enjoyed poking around the shops selling all sorts of glass objects.

We followed up our trip to Murano with a tour of the Grand Canal. Sitting outside at the front of the boat we nearly froze to death but it was worth it. What a fabulous experience on a perfect winter day.

Fashions from Venice

To our surprise we found that our hotel was in the street containing the most exclusive shops in Venice. Needless to say we didn’t even go in. We thought you might like to see some of the latest in European haute couture.

These are a few of our favourite pics.

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We returned home on Sunday. Thanks to Ryanair who moved my seat so that I didn’t have to climb in and out of the middle.

Tomorrow we leave for Christmas in a traditional hotel in the Austrian Tyrol.  We will see some snow as well as enjoy visits to Innsbruck and the Christmas markets in Salzburg. We drive to Dover tomorrow where we leave our car and are picked up for what will hopefully be a wonderful 7 day coach trip.

Wishing you all a very happy and safe Christmas.

Love from Jim and Frankie