VENICE !!!!!

Paris to Venice via over night train:

And Venice : 

It was a dark and stormy Night, a shot rang out as the train entered the tunnel. Oh wait this is not the Orient Express, or a Snoopy novel, just the over night train to Venice from Paris. 

At about 1935 hours our train showed at the departure platform. We made our way to Platform L and made our way to carriage #93 and settled into our double sleeper room 36 and 32. The room is about 8’ X 4.5 “ . There are three sitting spaces and it will later be converted into bunk beds. There is a sink cabinet with a sink and toiletries  provided. 

The train leaves from Gare de Lyon at 1959 hours and is scheduled to arrive in Venezia Mestre at 0930 ish. Our sleeper room is First Class and includes a continental breakfast of beverage , plain or chocolate croissant and juice. Given the size of the room it is comfortable. There are overhead luggage storage racks which are quite ample. 

For our evening meal we opted to picnic in our cachet,  Sandwiches on fresh baguette , a drink and a pastry. Enjoying watching the French countryside pass. 

At Passport Control your passports are collected and will be returned one hour before your arrival at your destination. At this time you are also given a card for your breakfast  and a card for an evening  drink in the restaurant/bar car. When you go for your drink you ask for your beds to be turned down. 

Hey it is our anniversary!!!!!!!

I found the beds rather comfortable and fell asleep as the train rocked. We were awakened at about 0500 by a border crossing dog. The officer asked our nationality and the dog sniffed my socks and shoes. They then moved to the next room. We napped till 0600 when we dressed and went to the dining car. We received our breakfast. We enjoyed breakfast as the train made it’s way to Milan.   

We left the train at Mestre, and walked across the street to our Hotel. Very pleased with the accommodations. As we were unpacking we had a knock on the door and were greeted by some of our Cruise Friends. (I will never post anyones names unless they give me permission to do so.) 

We were all ready for lunch and walked to local pizza pasta place. I had a great pasta Bolognese  with a very nice spicy olive oil, Lynn had a pizza, All was very good. Full, we decided to make our way into Venice by train and purchase water taxi and bus passes for a 48 hour period, this will work perfect to get us to the cruise terminal on Monday. 

We grabbed a water taxi with three goals in mind, # 1 was to find the last Gondola Garage. This is a location where the gondolas are worked on and maintained. Check - Found it. Next was San Marco Square, not really had to find, so Check #2 down. The last was to find Harry’s Bar, a Hemingway haunt. Check - Found it. From there we decided to take a water taxi back to the bus stop. During this ride the skies darkened and it started to rain shortly after we got on a very very very crowded bus. The bus is very convenient as it stops right in front of our hotel. So now we are in for the night after a nice day in Venice. 

Trying to find a replay of the Tour on the television, so may have to go to the Internet to get todays Stage results. 

We will be at Breakfast at 0700 and then back into Venice to see the arrival of the Disney Magic.   

Issues posting pictures etc so will try in the morning