Day 14: Traveling to Venice

Leaving Tuscany, we drove with out trusty Garmin out of the maze that is the center of Florence back to Leonardo DaVinci Airport in Rome for our Alitalia flight to Venice.

Here is Tim at the Alitalia terminal in Rome.

Alitalia was an interesting experience. Their automated check-in found Tim's ticket, but not mine--even thought we had booked them together at the same time. Three different Alitalia employees later, we finally found one who solved our problem. Except that we were not seated together, a problem that he also fixed. But then we had 3 bags to check, and they only allow 2--so we were over the weight limit. Not a problem that 55E couldn't fix. Ouch!

Once on the plane we thought it would be a full flight, but apparently Alitalia sells three prices for their seats. First class, front-of-coach, and rear-of-coach. Since it was just a 45 minute flight we had opted for the cheapest seats. So had all the other Italians going to Venice. From row 15 through 29, with six seats across, the plan was absolutely full. First class rows 1-6, and front-of coach rows 7-15? Absolutely empty. Interesting experience flying with the back half of the plane loaded. But we made it fine.

For the trip from Marco Polo Airport to Venice, we chose a private water taxi.

And away we go!

Zipping across the water to Venice with my hair blowing in the wind. Yes, that is what my hair looks like when it is blowing in the breeze!

 Coming into Venice.

Approaching the Grand Canal.

The famous Rialto Bridge. Graffiti makes me so sad....

Gondolas on the Grand Canal.

We checked into Hotel Al Gazzetino on a side canal in Venice. This hotel in housed in an old building that formerly was the newspaper publishing center for the newspaper for Venice, Al Gazzetino (The Gazette.) The hotel has been modernized and is centrally located within walking distance to all major attractions of the city.

Our room at Al Gazzetino.

View from our room. Now we are set to explore "The Empress of the Asiatic."