Set the alarm for 5-30am before the sun arose over Bellagio. we had to leave early to get John to Linate Airport in time for his flight to Dublin, as it turned out we were early and flight delayed.
This gave us an opportunity to detour to Verona, even though we only had one gentleman and no Juliette.
We did not know what to expect, a Roman amphitheatre and a balcony. What we did see was a very lovely town and cheap parking. The amphitheatre is not as big as the Colosseum but is still in use on a regular basis, the original builders would be pleased and proud that 2000 years later people still enjoy performances. That night there was a "Opera on Ice" extravaganza , now I can see a problem there. Can you imagine Pavarotti on skates? Maybe they are all opera singers from the Tyrrol
There are some lovely parts of the town and the river that runs through is shallow and fast flowing and a nice colour.
Back on the road to Venice, not a great distance and within the hour we were at the hotel in Mestre. This is the largest urban centre of Venice and the hotel is opposite the main rail station and a bus runs outside.
After a wash and brush up we set off for the old Venice, today we took a bus there and back and decided that tomorrow we take the train as it was a very uncomfortable journey, all the drivers seem to have been trained at the Fangio Driver School.
We walked from the bus station via the Rialto or as we renamed it, Retail Bridge, shops on both sides. Had to remind ourselves that where we were is basically the city centre and like all places it's where all the retail is. People were everywhere, which is not surprising given it is Venice and they live on tourists. Made our way to Plaza San Marco and it is truly magnificent, again though there is plenty of stalls selling touristy stuff and several large advertising banners covering part of the square. John told us that we had to sit and have a drink/coffee in the square itself and we did. A surly older waiter in a white jacket told us that we had to pay for the music as well so we did and two drinks and the music was €33, at least we can say we did it.
Decided to leave the touristy things until the morrow and took the vaporetto or public water ferry back to the bus station, I didn't know you could fit that many people on such a small boat.......
stay tuned for photos, net too slow in hotel, too many Americans Skypeing
Now in Sanremo, internet better, will catch up
ps on the way to Venice we stopped for coffee , on the back of a very big truck was a flat pack box marked Bell Helicopters, hope they got the right allen key......
