Ciao Mickey, This is NOT Disney. The real Europe visited...8/16 - Day 9.11 & 9.12

[MEK]

Oh Scott - ugh, I feel your pain in booking the train from the wrong station. That stinks. You tried so hard to do everything perfectly and missed the fact that there were two stations. Bummer. I'm sure everyone forgave you!

Those masks are so cool! Just beautiful!

And those pastries look magnificent.

I really enjoyed the pictures of the church. All the altars are gorgeous as is all the amazing art work. Between your TR and khertz's I am really seeing so many beautiful sights in Italy!

 

[jenseib]

Oh no! I would be so mad at myself too. I will tell you though, some towns have 2 cruise ports and when trying to find out which port the ship is out of it's not always easy either, so I can see how your mistake happened. At least you got to see the beautiful church.

 

[scottny]

As others have said don't feel bad about the station. The trains in Italy about gave me a nervous breakdown. They are confusing, and it is very hard to get good information on them.

And if it makes you feel any better, I scheduled our flights out of Venice without realizing that the Venice airport isn't actually in Venice. It is in another city completely. So that was a fun experience. At least you were in the right town.

Thanks.
I did know about the airport because I knew you can take a boat to Venice. I guess I researched the wrong thing.

Fantastic shots inside the church.

Thank you.

I'm sorry you had a problem with your scheduled train, but as PIO said, when I traveled through Europe there was no internet and schedules were silly. We showed up when did and we had no reservations anywhere, we just walked up to places and said, "do you have a place to stay?" Albeit we were 30 years younger or so, but it was an adventure back then. Evidently before the internet travel was much easier because all you had to do was show up at the train and get on, not make so many advance reservations. I hope you were able to get where you wanted to go, but at least you got some more time ti check out where you were!

it does seem like it was easier back in the day. I remember it fondly. We do get there but still have a little more time in Venice.

Oh Scott - ugh, I feel your pain in booking the train from the wrong station. That stinks. You tried so hard to do everything perfectly and missed the fact that there were two stations. Bummer. I'm sure everyone forgave you!

Those masks are so cool! Just beautiful!

And those pastries look magnificent.

I really enjoyed the pictures of the church. All the altars are gorgeous as is all the amazing art work. Between your TR and khertz's I am really seeing so many beautiful sights in Italy!

I am sure they did but it was really frustrating.
They really were and I should have bought one.
They did but we had breakfast not too long before so that was not doable.
The churches in Italy are amazing.

Oh no! I would be so mad at myself too. I will tell you though, some towns have 2 cruise ports and when trying to find out which port the ship is out of it's not always easy either, so I can see how your mistake happened. At least you got to see the beautiful church.

There is always a silver lining.

 

[scottny]

After the tour of the look around of the church we walked some more to have a beverage.

Looks like we crossed a bridge which is not shocking there. LOL.

I think they should hands free rule here too. LOL.

Then we came upon a bigger shopping area.

Then we found this place and we sat for a coffee.

The group minus me.

I had an iced coffee but in this place they put a scoop of ice cream in it. It was D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!

I believe Jeffrey and I wanted a piece of pie but they had run out. Not sure but I think that happened here. Anyway after the drinks we started heading back to the hotel. We saw these peppers.

We saw misters out to cool you off. I thought it was very nice.

Some decorations as we walked.

More food porn.

An alley as we walked.

Then we passed where I had gotten some Nutella gelato the night before. They offered “smurf” gelato.

Then we were back in the hotel. We gathered our bags and then sat around to kill a little time. I took photos.

They were ready to go.

I thought this vase was pretty.

As we waiting they rang the bells in the tower. I took a video so you can hear it but the picture is of a wall. LOL
https://www.flickr.com/gp/126058014@N04/T94H66

Now they had this spot where you can go up and take a photo. it did not come out so good so I made it b&w.

A selfie with Barbara.

And with that I am going to stop.

Up next,

We go to Florence...

 

[jenseib]

That pepper shot is really cool.
And the gelato looks so pretty and colorful.

 

[scottny]

That pepper shot is really cool.
And the gelato looks so pretty and colorful.

Thanks. The gelato was so good as well as pretty.

 

[scottny]

This update will be boring but I will post it anyway. We are traveling to Florence.

Away we go.

One last look at venice as we begin to speed away.

Okay one more.

Vinny and his rash as we head out.

Then some of the scenery along the way.

Then we came to this stop. I guess we didn’t leave yet. LOL.

Moving along.

We did see some countryside.

Here is a map of the progress we were making.

Crossing a bridge.

A station along the way.

Then one more shot.

Then there were no more photos. We soon arrived in Florence and this time we found our way to the hotel. It was along narrow sidewalks and then cobblestone. The ladies declared that going back they were taking a cab or at least one person would with the bags.

Up next,

Check in and dinner then sleep. LOL

 

[KatMark]

Scott, somehow I lost my subscription to your TR, but I am now all caught up.

I would have walked with you...I don't drink wine.

Pretty picture of the Rialto Bridge.

The kids same the same thing when they went to Ireland last year...not enough Disney stuff with Ireland on it.

It's funny you ended up at the same place for dinner that you ahd lunch.

Lovely views at night.

Mistakes could happen to any one of us...don't take it so bad. And you got more walking time in Venice with beautiful view AND coffee with ice cream in it.

Beautiful pictures of the church.

Nice train ride to Florence.

Wishing you and Vinnie a very Merry Christmas.

​

 

[PrincessInOz]

Yay! We're heading to Firenze!

That's a nasty rash. Hope it cleared up.

Merry Christmas.

 

[MEK]

 

[scottny]

Scott, somehow I lost my subscription to your TR, but I am now all caught up.
Glad you got back here.

I would have walked with you...I don't drink wine.
I had 4 glasses tonight. I felt no pain.

Pretty picture of the Rialto Bridge.
Thank you.

The kids same the same thing when they went to Ireland last year...not enough Disney stuff with Ireland on it.
They should really market to the area they are in and make more. I would have bought a t-shirt, keychain and more if they had it.

It's funny you ended up at the same place for dinner that you ahd lunch.
Yeah! It turned out to be a good decision though.

Lovely views at night.
Thank you.

Mistakes could happen to any one of us...don't take it so bad. And you got more walking time in Venice with beautiful view AND coffee with ice cream in it.
I am over it but I do feel bad but we did see more of the city.

Beautiful pictures of the church.
Thanks.

Nice train ride to Florence.


Wishing you and Vinnie a very Merry Christmas.
Same to all of you.

​

Yay! We're heading to Firenze!

That's a nasty rash. Hope it cleared up.

Merry Christmas.

Nope. He has it for a while now. I think he is finally go see a dermatologist.
merry Christmas to you.

Thank you. Merry Christmas!

 

[scottny]

When we last left off we were walking to the hotel after arriving in Florence. We made it to the hotel.

Vinny went to check us in and I looked around the lobby.

Looking down from the register desk. The doors at the end is the room where breakfast is held.

A little sitting area.

Our room was ready so we went up to drop off our bags.

They had this which had the tv and a desk and chair. The 2 sides were for luggage.

The bathroom. The only thing I hated here was the hose for the shower was so long that it would just bang on the wall the entire I showered.

Here is the ceiling.

After we got situated Vinny and I went to TIM mobile store. We had them install the card in phone and then we went back to find everyone but not before getting lost. LOL. We did find our way and soon we saw them at a cafe having wine. We stopped and joined.

After this we went back to the hotel and then I think someone asked about a place to eat. We were told where to go and off we went. We found this place.

Here is how the restaurant looked.

When we were ordering drinks Jeffrey asked the waitress if he could get a bottle of wine. She said they only had a carafe well between that and something else they both got confused and lost in translation and she ended up walking away from the table. We thought it was funny, Jeffrey not so much. Needless to say she got a little extra in her tip.

Here is what I had, Tuscan soup. It was FABULOUS. I think that is what it was. I remember having it somewhere and I think it was here. Whatever it was, delicious.

I played a little with my phone. I found this where I put Lorraine and I into a heart. LOL.

Group photo but bad lighting.

Then we finished up eating and walked back to the hotel and called it a night. I think I went downstairs and sat in the lobby a bit. Then it was bedtime.

Up next,

A day off but we do not just sit around.

 

[PrincessInOz]

What a great room and hotel.
Food looks great. I could do with a bowl of Tuscan soup right now.

 

[dizneeat]

Nice updates again!

Iced coffee here always has ice-cream in it. I really prefer it to the US version of just coffee and ice-cubes.

That is a really pretty hotel room in Florence. The restaurant looked nice too.

 

[scottny]

What a great room and hotel.
Food looks great. I could do with a bowl of Tuscan soup right now.

The hotel was very nice. We never had a bad hotel.
It was very good and I could go for some too.

Nice updates again!

Iced coffee here always has ice-cream in it. I really prefer it to the US version of just coffee and ice-cubes.

That is a really pretty hotel room in Florence. The restaurant looked nice too.

Thank you.
me too. It tastes so much better.
They were both very nice, thanks.

 

[GAN]

Here is what I had, Tuscan soup. It was FABULOUS. I think that is what it was. I remember having it somewhere and I think it was here. Whatever it was, delicious.

That would be Ribollita. And, yes, it is fabulous!

 

[scottny]

That would be Ribollita. And, yes, it is fabulous!

 

[scottny]

This day finds Mark & Jeffrey gone for the day doing a tour of the Ferrari museum, vinegar factory and a cheese tasting, unfortunately I have none of those pics. The rest of us took it slowly and went touring Florence.
Here is the time we got started.

Waiting for someone.

Then we were on our way. Here is a pic of looking both ways on the street outside the hotel

Then we were walking. I know we wanted to see the Duomo but no particular plan. We did find a $1 store. We did not go in.

Tables set up outside a restaurant.

Then we saw the back of a church.

Look at this car. I want one.

Here is the church we saw on the other side.

Longer look at it.

Then we went into here. A museum where no photos were allowed except in the courtyard.

I went down and looked at the pieces. it was nice and someone got yelled at for taking photos (it wasn’t me). I think the person did not understand because he kept saying, no flash.
Some more of the courtyard.

After touring the museum below we went into the church. Again no photos.

It was very nice inside but I have no proof. LOL.

Then I saw this truck. I loved the different signs. Okay the ones I am talking about are not shown. LOL.

Waiting for others. Potty break.

Brotherly and sisterly love.

Then we were walking again.

[

And I think I will stop here.

Up next,

The Duomo.

 

[PrincessInOz]

A vinegar factory and cheese tasting tour? I think I would have loved that! And the Ferrari museum as well.

So far, looks like you are getting about in Florence. Pity about the no-picture rule....
Looking forward to the Duomo.

 

[scottny]

A vinegar factory and cheese tasting tour? I think I would have loved that! And the Ferrari museum as well.

So far, looks like you are getting about in Florence. Pity about the no-picture rule....
Looking forward to the Duomo.

I would have liked the cheese tasting but we have a fabulous lunch later so all was good.

I hate no picture rules.