On Our Way to Venezia

Villa Dolcetti

We left our lovely, and very quiet, location in Chianti for Venice—without breakfast and coffee.  This morning was overcast but not rainy.  As we head north, we stop in Florence for gas and to buy more food at the COOP.   We continue past Bologna.  Using our trusty Rick Steves’ book, and plugging in an address to “Beatrice”,  we eventually find our next accommodation at Villa Dolcetti.
It’s a tastefully remodeled house that was built in 1635.  To say our room is opulent is an understatement.  I feel like I’m sleeping in a castle.  The walls are covered in a beautiful blue and gold fabric and the furniture is white, trimmed in gold.  Thank goodness the windows are double-paned with outside shutters because we are located on a busy street next to a canal.  It’s about a 25 minute ride into Venice by bus.  It costs 28 euros to park in the city. 

After dropping off our luggage and getting a cup of coffee, we take the bus into Venice.  Instead of taking the vaparetto (metro on water) in Venice, we decide to walk to Piazza San Marco following the signs on the buildings.  Traversing the narrow streets and bridges over the canals, and looking for the next sign proves to be a bit much for Steve.  He grabs the map to see where he is on this island ("where am I on the ground?")—the military side of him.   Upon arriving at San Marco, we listen to the orchestras in the piazza.  Free entertainment in a beautiful setting.  Since we’re not sure when the next bus leaves to go back to the hotel, we start walking back to Piazalle Roma—the central bus station.   The next challenge is watching where we are going on the bus at nighttime and making sure we get off at our stop.  Using the GPS to help guide us, we find our stop.  Yea, the grandparents made it back!