Then by train, bus and vaporetto to Venice…..

For reasons I am still not entirely sure of it was not possible to get a train direct from Vienna to Venice and instead we had to take the train to a town near the border then change to a bus for the balance of the jourmey. Once again it all went smoothly and the train journey through the Alps was very beautiful.

We arrived late afternoon in the train station near Venice and a vaporetto ride had us at our hotel within an hour. We were fortunate enough to book a newly renovated very old residence on one of the canals (complete with rather slopey flooring and exposed beam ceilings- the shuttered windows of our room opened directly onto the canal) and an easy 5 minute walk from Piazza San Marco. We wandered out in the early evening and found our way to a little restaurant for dinner – complete with a dog at the next table!

Our kids, all seriously missing Jasper at that time, went all ga-ga for the dog whilst Dad bristled at the idea of a dog being inside the restaurant. But hey, when in Rome......(or at least Venice!)

I was awake early the next morning so took myself out for a sunrise photographic expedition – Venice in the predawn morning is pure M.A.G.I.C- so whilst the family peacefully slept I wandered and snapped away.

When I returned to the hotel we had a buffet breakfast and then headed to the Doges Palace and did the tour. In the afternoon we took Callum to find his model knights – his pre-planned souvenir from the trip. The balance of the next couple of days were spent exploring Venice, wandering the streets, the Rialto Bridge and late one afternoon doing a gondola ride through the canals.

One morning the kids saved some bread rolls from breakfast and we headed to Piazza San Marco to hand feed the pigeons- it was brilliant. Having only visited Venice during the day before it was a pleasant change to see the city without the overload of tourists (yes, I know, we were tourists!!! But you know what I mean). On our last evening we walked across to the front of the Doges Palace and took advantage of the dusk lighting for some more photo magic. We were surprised by a visit from Santa complete with an elderly St Bernard and a sleigh. Santa gave Riley a plaster nativity scene and a certificate (in Italian) with a picture of the Pope and a wax seal . Riley rushed back to ask for one for his brother "pleeeease" and so Liam was thrilled he got one also.

Early then next morning we took a vaporetto back along the Grand Canal and headed to the train station once again.