Getting rich in Venice

Some say Venice is the most expensive city in Europe but for us it seemed cheap. it all started with Benthany's unique tallent. Where ever we go she sems to find the odd coin on the floor. There was the 1 pound in London, 10 euro at airport in Bristol and today a small envelope in Venice. Usualy we yell at them not to pick up rubbish but this time she did her best finding 220 euro!. From now on she can pick up anything!

Getting to Venice was fantasitc- a 5 hour train ride through snow capped mountains, past little villages each with their own church tower - and even one with an open air ice rink. Ariving in italy the country side changed with the first sign of vineyards, a loan castle of villa atop a hill and rows of olive trees. Then on to Venice - what a unique city. teeming with vaporetti, barges and gondolas. We spent the morning walking around the sestiere of Venice - San Marco with its elegant basilica and piazza. the Basilica built from 1094 had the most amazing mosaics cealings made from millions of individual pieces making up intricate pictures from old testiment stories.

Afternoon spent wandering along narrow lanes each opening out to a sun filled square or campos. It does not take long to escape the mass of tourists in San Marco to find yourself alone marvelling at the little canals that thread their way all over the city or exploring the local markets. A walk back along the promonade and dinner of pizza, noci and ravioli. The next moring we continued our exploring getting on and off the boat that travels along the grand canal making the most of this amazing place. But all good things have to come to and end so time to pack our bags (ALL of them) and get readt for another train trip to Roma.