Venezia...Once is enough

(Bridge of Sighs)

Venice was my least favorite of the "big" Italian cities...it was much too crowded for my liking and it's next to impossible to get around.   

Don't get me wrong...it's stunningly beautiful but it's so small that you almost feel trapped...and if you wanted to take a water taxi to get from the "front" of Venice to the "back" you'd be waiting in long long lines to catch one.  (and that's really the only way to get around)

(Doge's Palace)

(St. Mark's Basilica)

Our hotel was on the "back" side of the city so after the water taxi dropped us at the hotel we stayed on that side for the night.  We did a little shopping that evening then found a wonderful Trattoria for dinner.  I took the opportunity to practice my very broken Italian on the most adorable waitor ever...he laughed but then kindly corrected me when I spoke the words out of order while ordering my wine.

(Panoramic view of the city...see, too many people!)

Tom's grandfather told him, 'you only need to see Venice once'...boy, he sure knew what he was talking about!

Arrivederci Venice, Pronto Florence!