Magical Venice

We arrived in Padova (actually a smaller town 7km from Padova) on Saturday night after a beautiful drive through Austria and the amazing fall colors and mountains. WOW! It was fun to drive to Italy! (sounds so weird still!!)

Sunday morning we took a train from Padova to Venice (about 30 minutes) We had SO much fun!!!! We wondered through the city getting lost on all the little back streets, alleys, bridges etc... It is everything I imagined and more. A truely magical city that I hope everyone can see one day (if you haven't already) We took a gondola ride (worth every eurocent!), which was so neat for the kids and us. We also saw the beautiful San Marcos Church and Square. I could go on and on about Venice... one amazing thing is how the city floods at certain times of the day depending on the tide. When we were in San Marcos Square (HUGE), they have to have these platforms up that people are walking on to get into the church etc... due to flooding. Crazy!

We went back to Venice again today and took a great walk to pick up the Ferry to Murano Island. This is where they make all the beautiful Murano glass. We bought some nice things had a great panini lunch and then headed back on the boat to Burano Island. This one is a little further out - about 30 more minutes. SOOOO worth the trip!!! This was the big lace producing area back in the 16th century and on. Supposedly there isn't a lot of lace still made on Burano, but we did see some really elderly women still making it. The incredible part of Burano is that most of the buildings are painted in vivid and bright colors - just incredibly colorful and happy. Even on a rainy and windy day, I was all smiles taking pictures and enjoying the scenery!!!

We ended up back in our hotel room tonight after 2 trains and a small walk back to our hotel. I figured I should blog a little before the end of the week while I have WIFI at the hotel.

Tomorrow we are headed to Cinque Terra area, which is on the west coast of Italy - North of Pisa. I have wanted to see this area for 15 years now - when I first read about it. They are 5 small towns built into the mountain coast that you can hike between. I guess they are about 7km apart -- some of which are strolls and the last 2 are really good hikes. I am so pumped!!! We were hoping the weather would cooperate as apparently it isn't a great place to go in rain/wind....supposed to be better tomorrow and then really good on Wedneday - so we are going!!

Thursday we will head to Florence ....with a stop to see the leaning tower of Pisa. We will begin heading back on Saturday ... don't know if we will stop or just drive all the way home.... we'll see.

More soon... and pictures when we get back!