This segment of the trip started off a little rough. We boarded our plane, only to have to disembark because the co-pilot was sick and needed a replacement. Less than two hours later we were in the air, but just as we arrived the Italian baggage workers decided to strike. Seriously. So we had to wait for over an hour at the baggage claim before we could leave. Chris, so calm about most everything but transportation, was about to explode. Thankfully it wasn’t too long before we were on a vaporetto to the hotel, and it is hard to stay upset on the canals of Venice!

After settling in, we went for a walk in and around Piazza San Marco (photos to come another day), which is around the corner from our hotel. We then spent 15 minutes windowshopping/walking to the Rialto bridge (see above) in search of the specific restaurant recommended by our concierge. We were too hungry to wait until it opened, so we found one of a million other places right by one of the canals.

Tonight’s dinner bode well for our culinary experience here! You will spend the next few days hearing a lot about the food. Mmmmm..... I think the winner tonight was Riley’s simple ravioli bolognese. The ragu was reminiscent of Grammie’s, and the gentle waft of smoke in the breeze brought me back even farther to her kitchen in the early 1980’s...the freshest lettuce and tomatoes reminded me of Grampa’s garden....Other winners included Amory’s spaghettini with amazingly fresh pesto, and the buttery prosciutto served with melon. All classic, all delicious!

After dinner, a 4th generation gondolier expertly guided us through parts of 12th century and 15th century Venice. Spots on the tour included homes of Casanova and Marco Polo. We followed with a gelato expedition before bed...more to come on critics’ choice for best flavors!