Alex Arrives in Italy!!

Following the usual series of crazy connections and exhausting flights to Florence, our daughter Alex joined us in Italy on June 27!  Yay!!













She spent her first two days just catching up with Michael and exploring the Tuscan countryside.

On 7/3 Alex and I headed to Florence  for some of the more interesting sights of the city.  

We went through the Pitti Palace, trekked through both Piazza Signoria and Pizza Repubblica, and finished our day out at Piazza Duomo.

On Monday July 1st we drove the 3 hour road trip from Impruneta to the magical city of Venice.  After parking the car on the mainland, connecting with the shuttle to Piazza Roma, and then taking the hour long water ferry over the leisurely sea route to Piazza San Marco, we at last set foot on the island. Using my Android phone’s GPS we navigated the narrow canals and side streets to the Hotel Locanda Canal.  The building on the right with the two white signs is where we stayed.

 It was great fun exploring the torturous, winding routes of the city, and the bridges necessary to cross each canal to a new destination.

On Tuesday we spent our morning exploring the Doges Palace.  Pictures are not permitted of the beautiful rooms and frescos inside the palace home, however, we were able to take pix of the outside as well as inside the courtyard. 

Venice isn’t only all about the tourist highlights you read about online.  Along the way you encounter quiet piazzas in the heart of the city like Campo Santa Maria Formosa, thankfully absent of the crowds of San Marco.

When traveling either from or back to the train station at Piazza Santa Lucia, there is no mistaking where on earth you are as your water taxi takes you through the canals.

Our time in Venice with Alex was wonderful!!  With so much to see and do here, we are looking forward to our return visit with our friends Janet and Joe when they arrive at the end of the month!!