Train to Florence

We took the train to Florence today. It was a nice trip although the usual rush of getting 22 people and their luggage on the train and into the assigned seating. A very pleasant ride though. Our hotel was not too far from the train station; right by the Medici Chapel down town. Florence is SO old. The streets are all narrow and made out of old square/rectangle cut stone (much larger than cobble stone!)

Our hotel was a great example of OLD Florence. This hotel was highly suggested by Rick Steves and they had three of his family's Christmas cards posted by the front desk. Our room was thin and long with three twin beds in it; it also had air conditioning which all rooms did not have -- I am grateful for this. The first night we had our window open and could not believe the noise outside and how early or perhaps late and early it went on.

We visited the Medici Chapel our first day; beautiful. We walked about the street markets near our hotel and of course had gelato -- a daily or more correctly multiple time daily activity. The Duomo was also very near our hotel. It was great staying down town to get a feel for the city. We walked by many beautiful sights this day.

Venice -- A Trip To Murano Island

Another day of enjoying Venice for all it is worth. We took the time to visit the beautiful chapel just to the left as you arrive at the train station -- good call by our friend Lynda Linford! This chapel is smaller but so beautiful; definately worth stopping in. We then took a private boat trip to Murano Island to see glass made and to shop; Sherrie, Winnie and Karissa went with us. We enjoyed the boat trip out to Murano Island. We were dropped off right at the back door of a glass company and after walking through their gift shop we got to see a glass horse and a glass vase made -- really interesting. Then we shopped on the Island and had a really nice lunch. We had a LONG trip back on the public "Bus" a large boat really -- it must of takin at least two hours! It was then time for some more shopping and dinner.

Venice -- Still All That

Venice is beautiful; it is all about the views, the food and shopping all of which we enjoyed! After checking into our Holiday Inn outside of town we went back into Venice had a late lunch not too far from the train station and then just walked about and shopped a bit. We took the 9ish train back to our hotel.

Shopping / Kong Restauarant / Train to Venice

We did some shopping and met Winnie, Maryam and Karissa at Kong for lunch at Kong designed by Philippe Starck. We ate lunch there the day before after stumbling upon it while shopping after going to the Musee D'Orsay. We just wanted to have a drink or a small dessert the day before but after seeing a waiter walk by with a delightfully presented hamburger (but the name just does not do it justice here) we ordered a second lunch -- life is so hard. We ate here again with our friends and added desert this time -- sigh. Kelsea had the best pick but it was a big laugh about the size of Maryam's desert especially her serving of icecream (perhaps a tablespoon) that she had planned on sharing. I ordered sorbet and was served not a whole lot more than Maryam. Great design thought and I would do it all again.

We boarded the train to Venice for our eight o'clock departure on our couchette - with six of us sharing the small room that made up into six beds. We shared with Karissa, Maryam and Winnie who were all good travel mates. Some of our group were broken up and shared with people other than in our group; but all seemed to fair the somewhat sleepless night ok. We arrived in Venice and had to wait for a couple of hours to take a short train ride and 15 minute walt to our Holiday Inn home for the next two days. The hotel was the best of our trip so far and at a price our group could affort to include Venice in out trip it was worth the train trip to it.

Versailles avec Pierre

Today was our special guided tour of Versailles with Pierre. The flamboyant and fragrant Pierre! I must say that without his being so agressive our tour would have lacked some of the detail that it did. It was also a highlight to find that the Hall of Mirrors opened up only the day before after years of rennovation. Since I had been to Versailles before some of the highlights were seeing the out buldings if one can call them that. The Trianon, The Petite Trianon, The Theatre and The Hamlet.

Musee D'Orsay

My favorite of the museums we visited. It has such a wonderful balance of types of art. I loved seeing the display of Art Nouveau furniture and glass. Also there were wonderful paintings. It is a more doable and enjoyable museum than the Louvre and seems to have some wonderful best of items to see. Highly recommended!

The Louvre

The Louvre was next on our list with a rushed visit to catch the highlights. We went through the royal apartments first. I was not aware that the Louvre was a home to the royals of France before it became a museum. We then hit as many highlights as we could including of course a glimpse of the Mona Lisa, Venise de Milo, Maddona on the Rocks, the Winged Victory etc. One really could spend days there. Perhaps some day we will have more time. We found the place where the pyramyd points downward; that was fun. Also of note was the elevator at the main entrance. It was a cylindar that you walked into and then it rose up free standing to the top.