From Nice to Venice

Today is another travel day. We rose early at Chateau St. Martin to pack and get ready for our trip to Venice. It seemed that we had a lot of little things to do – but, in reality, it was very simple. Got the car, got to the airport, checked the rental car back to EuropCar, found the shuttle bus to Terminal One, checked in for the flight and went through security. ALL EASY. And, we flew Baboo Airlines. It was a wonderful flight – though a small airplane. Clean, attractive and wonderful little sandwiches, fruit and Caffé. They finished the lunch meal with Chocolat Mousse. NO PEANUTS.

At the airport, we were met by two people from IDI, a travel company here in Venice. They arrange a number of services for travelers while in Venice – and they took us to a special section of the waterway, where we had a private water taxi to take us to the hotel. There was another section where travelers had to stand in line for public water taxis – and then they had to lug their baggage over the bridges to their hotels. Not a pleasant thought.

Our hotel, Hotel Colombina, is on the Calle del Remedio – a bridge and a few steps from Piazza San Marco. Wonderful little hotel – with windows on the canal – and gondoliers passing by, quite regularly. One even featured a singer serenading the passengers.

We rested awhile and then did an afternoon walking exploration of San Marco and the area to the west, up to the Rialto Bridge. A lot of tourists and a lot of tourist shops. Piazza San Marco is impressive, but overcrowded. It’s best in the early morning or just before closing. A lot of other churches in the area – free to explore and say Mass. Also, a lot of gondoliers along the canals looking for customers.

We made it back to the Piazza at near closing time and the orchestras were starting to entice people into their cafes. BUT we were on a mission - to Harry’s Bar for drinks. It’s really a small, little café with seating for probably 30 people, but the waiters were elegant. Jackie had a Bellini (for Paula...and Harry's Bar was where the Bellini originated) and I had my usual vodka martini – stirred, not shaken. Next to us at the table were three fellows talking about their travels from Rome – and one was from Tampa with a sister that just graduated from SMU. So we ordered more drinks and had a delightful conversation.

After a short respite back at the hotel, we ventured out to find a good restaurant for dinner. We walked east from the Piazza along the San Marco Canal and first found the Hotel Danieli – a wonderful hotel facing the Canal. The bar area was old Venetian, but the piano player was early Pittsburg (played Sinatra off key and had a terrible Elvis impersonation).

So we walked further along the Canal until we came upon huge yachts moored at the side of the Canal – and found a great little restaurant in front of three of the most awesome yachts I’ve seen, up close. Two were from Panama and one was called the Red Lion. I guess some people have tooooo much money on their hands.

After a nightcap at the hotel, we started planning a walk tomorrow to the Venice Art Fair.