Venice

Day 1 - SC to Venice: VERY tired from long plane ride, but no hitches en route and luggage ready for us when we got there. Took a water taxi from the airport to the hotel - SO cool. Our first view of Venice from the Grand Canal was very appropriate. Enjoyed some cafes and people watching and absorbing the beauty of the city. Met tour guide, Johnny, and had an OK meal at the hotel. Vino by dusk and met an Irish couple that had shaken hands with JFK... twice! Trying to use a little Italian and told the waiter 'Gracious'. Can I have another?!

Day 2 - Venice: We started the day watching two glass blowing techniques and perusing the Venetian glass which is mesmerizing. A lot of pieces reminded me of the art gallery at Cal's wedding. Next we took a tour of the Doges' Palace - our first taste of the ornate art and architecture. For lunch we enjoyed pizza and calzones at an outdoor cafe - Delish! A gondola ride through the Venetian canals topped off the afternoon (and as promised was way cooler than Vegas!). Made it for a jog that night and ran the ghetto (off the beaten path and not the thug hangout) while watching the sunset over the Adriatic Sea. Dinner was another fabulous meal - and we had definitely worked up an appetite.