Rome to London Chapter 2

Sunday Sept 27
Into Venice after driving from Rome, we arrive to our quaint cozy Hotel El Burchito. Everyone loved this hotel because of its homey feel, filled with comfortable antique furnishings and excellent service as the manager was a five golden key member.
Had time to freshen up and we are off to Venice to experience a Gondola ride with the authentic drivers in their striped shirts and straw hats. We are serenated down the canals with music and champagne.
We then have time for an evening cruise lookin at the rich and famous homes along the canal. Back to our hotel for an enjoyable dinner included with the hotel.
A good night sleep is had by all and we are up for an early start on Monday to see more of Venice by day. We board the water taxi and cruise by some large ships and ferries. They come from the mediterrain and and Adriatic Sea, a four hour ferry to Greece.
Once we land in Venice, we meet our local guide, Guiddo who takes us round the streets of Venice and tells of the most interesting stories of the history of Venice. We cross the famous Rialto Bridge, squares and the residence of where Marco Polo Family lived.
We then come to the famous St. Marks square in time to hear the bells chime that have been ringing for 400 years.
We say goodbye to Guiddo and walk down the lanes and across the bridge into the Murano Glass Company where we see a demostration of glass blowing by master craftsmen. The Venician Glass is magnificent and worth seeing.
Once we leave the Murano Glass shop, everyon has time to shop and have lunch in the square. The ladies were quite pleased as some serious shopping was done. we board the water taxi back to the main land and then hop on our air conditioned coach and head north to the Italian Lakes.
The weather so far on our trip has been magnificent to say the least. The days in Rome and Venice have been 25 to 28 degrees celsius and looks like it should stay like this as we continue on our Journey from Rome to London with Trafalgar Tours, our group of 10 with Deb Peters and other travelling friends that we have met on this tour, a total of 38 passengers.
Our Tour Director, Craig Hill has also been magnificent and we look forward to more exciting days ahead, so stay tuned for the next chapter.

Rome to London

Deb Peters escorted group with Trafalgar Tours

We arrived safely in Rome on Friday, September 25th after a over night flight with Air Canada. Eventhough everyone was tired it was wonderful to be in Europe and for some of us the 1st time. The weather was close to 30 and sunny.

Trafalgar picked us up at the airport and took us through the Ancient Gates of Rome and through downtown to our hotel, The Rouge et Noir.

After meeting our tour director, Craig Hill, we settled into our rooms for a little rest and then it was off to a Welcome Dinner and Rome at Night Highlights.

Everyone slept well that night and we were ready to go after a continental breakfast at the hotel and we were off to see the Collesium. It was amazing. The history with our tour guide Danielle was detailed and very interesting and humorous. After lunch at a Cafe overlooking the Collesium we headed to the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel. The great thing about our tour was we did not have to wait in any line ups. Michelangols masterpiece was magnificient.

The back to our room for a quick change and then to Dinner and the Trevi Fountain. There were many people throwing their coins into the fountain. One coin to return to Rome, Two to fall in love in Rome and three coins to marry in Rome.

Watch for the next chaper as we are off to Venice.