Venice and another day of travel

Ah Venice! We arrived safe and sound Wednesday morning at the Venice trainstation. I wandered ahead to figure out vaporetto passes and after some general confusion with their system of entryways (which are quite simple once you get the hang of it), we crammed into the #1 route, which drives straight down the Grand Canal (making eeeevery stop) to the south end of the island. Our first attempt at using the "roadmap" was confusing as the "roads" are teeny alleys (no cars!). We found the hotel and our tour guide had agreed to meet us at the hotel (we were running late!). We grabbed a quick lunch (sandwiches so cheap compared to Rome, and delicious!) and headed to San Marco (while the adult males raced ahead to get tickets to the Palace).

Saints Marks is amazing! Our tour guide was much better than our Rome guide, and everyone enjoyed him more. We got the full tour of the Ducal Palace, and we were shutting the place down since we were so late.

On the way home, we set a home base and sent the kids off in groups (to return in 90 minutes). It went smoothly and we enjoyed another group dinner. Most folks stayed in the hotel (Schaffers went out wandering- learning the vaporetto system and paths). Then another late night of cards at the hotel!

Thursday was generally a free day, with the students in groups and wandering Venice. Everyone hopefully will share their own stories!

Friday morning came early to make our train. A vaporetto strike made it interesting, but we are at the train station waiting for our track!