Day 7 had us leaving Florence and heading to Venice via Bologna. Okay so we could have skipped Bologna, it was eh. I think they have us stop so we get to Venice after check in time. Bologna does have the worlds oldest University, but Barb, Tracey and I opted to sit out an outdoor café and shop rather than tour. We heard we didnt miss much.
We stopped for lunch at a place on the main highway between Bologna and Venice, surprisingly I had a yummy tortellini.
Then it was time to see Venice
OMG!!!! I just fell in love with this city.



I am so glad this was the last city, as all the others would have paled in comparison. This city is just UNBELEIVABLE!!!!
The first night was the optional gondola ride and then the whole group had a welcome to Venice dinner at the hotel.
First we checked in and while the rooms were small, I loved it.
I had said if showers came in sizes, I would have asked for one size up, I think my butt may have been sticking out a bit when showering.
The hotel is like a jigsaw. Barb and I were so excited that we had rooms near each other, 324 and 318. WELL, hold on.
We got off the elevator and found a staircase that I had to go up, Barb continued down the hall and found another staircase, going down. As it turned out, my room was directly above Barbs, but we were on the same floor? LOL!
Barb hanging our her window directly below me
I loved my view, I was on the Grand Canal and could see the top of St Marks in the distance!
Those going on the gondola needed to leave and take a boat ride to St Marks square right after checking in.
About half us went off for the gondola ride. OMG, you cannot go to Venice and not have a Gondola ride.
It was 6 to a gondola ride so we had the tour director keep the backseat girls together and we added another solo traveler Bill to our gondola. We had become Bills harem as whenever there was a table for 6 etc. we had Bill join us.
We had 6 gondolas for our group and one had musicians serenading us. Each gondola had a bottle of champagne, which yes even I had a glass,
I am so glad I did this, I cant believe some opted not to.
Me and Tracy
Steph and Barb
We then went to St Marks square and as we were standing there the bells started to ring. I had goose bumps. I was finally in Venice, in St Marks square and listening to the bells. It was surreal. I just drank in the moment.
With that it was time to take the boat back to the hotel for the group dinner.
Camille, Steph and Tracy on the boat back
Dinner was delicious, chicken, string beans, carrots, yummy potatoes and some sort of tart for dessert. We had Bill join us again as it was a table for 6.
After dinner the back seat girls went for gelato and to walk around a bit.
When we got back we decided to hang in the bar for a while. The bar had outdoor seating right on the grand canal and a great musician that entertained us.
It was such a wonderful night, wonderful people and of course Venice.
I finally stumbled up to bed near midnight. I was on the top floor and it was so gorgeous out I slept with the window opened.