Day 1 - Tuesday - 24 November 2015 - Venice, Italy

After two uneventful flights we arrive in Venice about Noon after leaving Boston at 8:00 pm last night.   We had no trouble finding the Aliliguna boat dock for our ferry (Eur 15,00 each) to the Rialto Bridge  -- from there a ten minute walk over flat surface takes us to Palace Bonvecchiati on Calle dei Fabbri.

Dave, Phil and Patte waiting for vaporetto at the airport.

 The hotel is very European -- modern interior with all the amenities:  wifi -- flat screen TV -- beautiful bathroom and a king size bed.   Located on a small canal, it is  walking distance to St. Mark's Square, good restaurants, shopping and several vaporetto stops.  Venice's public transportation consists of water buses or vaporetti  (singular - vaporetto).    After checking in and taking a tour of the hotel, its sister property (Hotel Bonvecchiati), and shared restaurant (La Terrazza) we are on the move to take a look around before having an early dinner and to bed.

Gondola just outside the back door of Palace Bonvecchiati.

The last time I was in Venice was 1969 -- Phil, Patte and Dave have never been, so we are all novices when it comes to figuring out our way but we manage.  I read that the best way to see Venice is to get lost wandering the streets and taking in the fabric of the city.   Well -- we have no trouble getting lost so we take in the fabric of the city -- and find our way back to our "neighborhood" before dark.

Phil standing by one of the many canals in Venice!

We realize we need a plan for the next two days so as we stroll along Calle dei Fabbri -- we come upon Trattoria-Pizzeria da Gioia and are encouraged to come in so we do.   What can I say we are all tired -- we order some wine, pull out maps and plan what we might do for the next couple of days.   We thought we might eat here but decide against it.  We end up at ristorante La Terrazza in our hotel.  They are serving pizza, a drink, and a coffee for 13 Euros.  

It was the right thing to do --- we get three different pizza's -- all are delicious.

We had a good first day -- getting acclimated, getting lost and figuring out a plan.

Thanks for Reading.

Pat