We left Igls at 7:30am, bound for Venice, but first the most breathtaking drive through the Brenner Pass. 
Gerry, in one of his cheesier moments, had the soundtrack to “Sound of Music” playing as we drove through Austria – sounds ridiculous now, but at the time there was something remarkably fitting about a bus load of tourists, humming along to “The hills are alive……” and taking in the alpine views!!! Loved it! As we got to the Italian border the soundtrack became suitably Italian…..
Even though we are now in Italy, the scenery it much the same – alpine villages, pine trees, brilliant green grass and a background of snow topped mountains.
It doesn’t come more beautiful than this! We saw baroque-style churches, characteristic for their “onion-topped” spires - yes, Gerry has been teaching us about architecture too! There were farm-houses with the barn attached to the house, as the cattle need to be kept warm and close by during the Winter, during the Summer they are freed up in the mountains to graze.
Slowly the countryside began to change, becoming flatter. We stopped at a service stop (toilets and shops to stock up on food and drink) and tried out the Italian Gerry has been teaching us. I had my first ever Brioche – a custard filled croissant basically; very, very good! (Why does it seem that when it comes to me, this tour is largely about the food and drink???)
We arrived in Venice, on the mainland and had to take a water taxi (piloted by the most delicious looking man I have ever laid my eyes on…..)to Venezia.
Venice is spectacular. 
After lunch we wandered some more, buying a couple of souvenirs and taking in the very unique atmosphere of Venice. Tonight Andrea Bocelli is singing in St Marks Square and while we were waiting at our meeting point in the square the orchestra was practising. “Time to say goodbye” was one of the songs they played and I am sure that I will always be transported right back to Venice every time I hear it from now on. Hearing that beautiful music in that special place gave me goosebumps.
We then headed off for a gondola ride. Our group filled 9 gondolas altogether, complete with bottles of Prosecco, a musician and a singer. So there we were, gliding along the canals, sipping chilled Prosecco, being serenaded in Italian. Wow! This, people, is the life! At one point the singer had us all join in singing “Volare” – such fun, so funny!
We then had a water taxi ride down the main canal, fantastic photo opportunities. It’s all just SO beautiful.
Finally it was back to reality – a short bus ride to our hotel in Marghera. Here we had much needed showers (Venice was HOT!), a typical Italian supper and bed.
Gerry, in one of his cheesier moments, had the soundtrack to “Sound of Music” playing as we drove through Austria – sounds ridiculous now, but at the time there was something remarkably fitting about a bus load of tourists, humming along to “The hills are alive……” and taking in the alpine views!!! Loved it! As we got to the Italian border the soundtrack became suitably Italian…..Even though we are now in Italy, the scenery it much the same – alpine villages, pine trees, brilliant green grass and a background of snow topped mountains.
It doesn’t come more beautiful than this! We saw baroque-style churches, characteristic for their “onion-topped” spires - yes, Gerry has been teaching us about architecture too! There were farm-houses with the barn attached to the house, as the cattle need to be kept warm and close by during the Winter, during the Summer they are freed up in the mountains to graze.Slowly the countryside began to change, becoming flatter. We stopped at a service stop (toilets and shops to stock up on food and drink) and tried out the Italian Gerry has been teaching us. I had my first ever Brioche – a custard filled croissant basically; very, very good! (Why does it seem that when it comes to me, this tour is largely about the food and drink???)
We arrived in Venice, on the mainland and had to take a water taxi (piloted by the most delicious looking man I have ever laid my eyes on…..)to Venezia.
Venice is spectacular.
The doges palace
St Marks Basilica
St Marks square was amazing, but what I found even more enchanting were the little streets and the smaller canals. We saw a glass-blowing demonstration and then had free time to wander about, in and out of little shop-lined passages.
We had lunch at a canalside restaurant near the Rialto bridge. Paula ate her first genuine Italian pasta – she’s waited a long time for this! Rox and I had pizza which was good, but what really blew us away were the Bellinis! I could grow very used to those!
After lunch we wandered some more, buying a couple of souvenirs and taking in the very unique atmosphere of Venice. Tonight Andrea Bocelli is singing in St Marks Square and while we were waiting at our meeting point in the square the orchestra was practising. “Time to say goodbye” was one of the songs they played and I am sure that I will always be transported right back to Venice every time I hear it from now on. Hearing that beautiful music in that special place gave me goosebumps.We then headed off for a gondola ride. Our group filled 9 gondolas altogether, complete with bottles of Prosecco, a musician and a singer. So there we were, gliding along the canals, sipping chilled Prosecco, being serenaded in Italian. Wow! This, people, is the life! At one point the singer had us all join in singing “Volare” – such fun, so funny!
We then had a water taxi ride down the main canal, fantastic photo opportunities. It’s all just SO beautiful.
Finally it was back to reality – a short bus ride to our hotel in Marghera. Here we had much needed showers (Venice was HOT!), a typical Italian supper and bed. 