Friday, November 1st

We had a smooth flight from Atlanta to Frankfurt (October 30 - October 31). Like most flights to Europe - you leave around 6 p.m. About an hour-and-a-half into the flight dinner was served (chicken and rice or vegetable pasta). Following dinner, some watched movies, some read, and some slept. Throughout the night, at various intervals someone was coming by asking if you wanted juice or water. Then, when you think you are in a deep sleep, the lights are turned on and breakfast is served - about 2 hours out of Frankfurt. With breakfast out of the way, we got ready to get off the plane. 





In Frankfurt we had to walk to our flight to Milan. It was quite a walk! We had plenty of time - over 3 hours before our flight! Several read during our layover. Others slept. At the Lufthansa gate there was a free coffee/cappachino machine - we all took advantage of it!
 When it was time for our flight to depart for Milan - we were ready to go. Boarding the flight we found ourselves in seats scattered around the plane! Few couples were sitting together. We thought we could handle it thinking it was an hour and 10 minute flight. The plane could not take off due to technical difficulties so we sat for about 45 minutes for some repairs to be made. 
     The flight to Milan was uneventful (thank God!). We had a sandwich for lunch and it wasn't long before we were landing in Milan. Departing the flight we made our way to baggage claim and then on to the bus that would take us to the hotel in Venice - a 3-hour drive through the lake district of Italy. Our tour guide, Jon Bouillot met us and shared a little bit of info regarding Milan on the way to the hotel. Among his information, "Milan works and Rome eats!"  
    By the time we got to the hotel (6:30 p.m.) we were exhausted but we still made it downstairs for dinner at 7:30 p.m. The Italian dinner was pasta, sliced pork, peas, new potatoes and a slice of apple pie with a hint of lemon. Following the meal it was off to bed - a place folks were looking forward to!
     November 1 - Up at 7 a.m. Breakfast at 8 a.m. Depart at 9 a.m. The hotel sat next to a walking park and in the distance you could see Venice Island. We departed the hotel via bus and drove about 15 minutes to a port where we boarded a water taxi to carry us to Venice Island. Approaching San Marco square from the water was breathtaking. The weather was beautiful!
     We had about 30 minutes to wander around Piazza San Marco before our tour of the Doge's Palace - which included the Golden Staircase and the Bridge of Sighs.
   Today was All Saints Day so the Basilica San Marco was closed part of the day for services. The lines to get in to the Basilica were quite long.
    Following our tour, we had free time until 6:30 p.m. For lunch, some brought a sandwich they had made from bread, meat and cheese from off the breakfast bar. Others stopped at a cafe. Some had gelato for lunch. At 2:30 p.m., an optional excursion was offered - a gondola ride! About 18 of the group took advantage of this opportunity. The gondola ride took us to some of the back avenues of Venice Island. We had an accordion player and a singer who escorted us with music the entire ride. It was a true Venice experience!

     At 3:30 p.m. another excursion was offered - a trip to Murano to see a glass blowing demonstration, etc. 
     At 6:30 p.m. we gathered for dinner at Taverna dei Dogi - a restaurant on the island. We had short pasta with meat ragout, roasted chicken with buttered spinach, a mixed salad, creme caramel and bread. It was a lovely meal. In the restaurant were 2 other NAWAS tour groups. 

     Following dinner we made our way back to the water taxi and then on to the hotel for the evening. Today was quite a day in Venice!!