Venice

We finally have found some wi-fi service so can now update the blog with our first days in Venice.

After touching down at Malpensa airport we jumped on a train to get to the centre of Milan to catch our 'Frecciabianco' (white arrow) express train from Milan to Venice. Before we left the train had a mechanical malfunction so we had to change platforms. There was a mad dash from one platform to the next with a flurry of Milanese workers jumping on the new train, along with ourselves after we had to ask a kind lady to tell us what was going on. Thankfully we did as the announcement was so brief that we couldn't understand what was going on! Anyway once were settled we took off on the direct 2.5 hours train ride.

We were a little late due to the train but made it into Venice before dark. We stepped out if the station into the chaos of the Grand Canal, and were surrounded by Venice. We made the short walk to the Hotel Al Sole, and while being crammed into the small lift with our porter, he told us that everything was small in Venice, especially the bedroom. He was right, although we were paying inflated prices, the size of our room was not as inflated! It was tiny! The bathroom even smaller. You had to be careful using the toilet to not hit your head in the basin. Mick found the one benefit in this small bathroom, you could rest your weary head while doing your business (definitely needed after 30hrs travelling with little sleep!)

We went out to do a little exploring and fine somewhere to eat. We decided on a little eatery called Osteria dei Cravat, which had all manner of ties hanging from the rafters in the dining room. The food was good and we ate up before returning to the hotel for a well earned sleep.