We're now in Venice. Despite what some people may write about this city (that it is tacky, touristy and overpriced) I think it is still wonderful and incredibly beautiful. Yes, you have the crowds, hoards of them in St Marks Square and at the Rialto bridge, but you only have to make a detour here or there and you are suddenly in a quiet alleyway near a canal or in a passage way all on your own. It was another incredibly hot day, but once we had put our things down at our hotel (surprisingly nice for the 40 euros and in a great part of town overlooking rooftops) we set off exploring. There is so much to see, the beautiful faded buildings, canals with gondoliers passing through and old bridges to walk across. Just a wonderful, wonderful place to explore and get lost in.
We did a long walk today, almost as much walking as we did yesterday through the streets of Verona. We spent last night sleeping in a Franciscan abby at the top of a hill. It is actually a hostel, but they gave us our own room with a little kitchen, so we made a dinner and ate under the stars, though we were attacked by about a million mosquitos. Breakfast this morning was very bizarre. There were bread rolls and butter and jam and these big steel pots (the ones you usually use for baked beans and bacon) with dark hot liquid in two and white stuff in the other. These turned out to be tea and coffee and milk and there were these big bowls to make your tea or coffee. Clearly some monk's idea of breakfast!
Tomorrow at one pm we take a long train ride to Chiuso in Umbria to stay on the olive farm. We finally bought EUrail passes so we're travelling first class for the rest of our time in Europe!
Some photos from Switzerland...
Larna our friend Serafina and her mom Mila, wonderful hosts in Lausanne
The glacier express winding its way up the alps
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