Time to leave our home in Florence
On Friday, May 6th, we left our temporary home in Florence and headed for Venice. Christina, our B&B host, had booked a porter to meet us at the station and help us board the correct train. No-one seemed keen to fulfil that role, so I left Susanne to guard our cases while I went searching. Thank goodness our man was booked, as there was a rush on the only two porters available and ours turned up with little time to spare. As before, the platform information appeared two minutes before the train was due to arrive and almost immediately depart. As soon as the doors cleared of the crowd getting off, our man charged on board, hefting our two big cases into the only storage spaces provided at the end of the carriage. We thanked him, tipped him well and settled into our seats.
luggage perched precariously above us.
Everyone else had to heave their cases, no matter how large, up onto the overhead lockers which were ridiculously inadequate and dangerous if the train swerved or stopped suddenly. Modern Italian trains are elegant, fast, and great for anyone travelling for a few days between Italian cities. For overseas tourists, especially those from Australia, USA, or anywhere requiring long flights (and presumably luggage for at least a month) their system is hopeless. In my usual style, I complained to the head staff member. He simply shrugged his shoulders and insisted that the poor American fellow in front of us push his large suitcase under his feet and travel with his legs up around his ears for the next two hours. Customer satisfaction is obviously not part of their staff training.
I was nervous about arriving in Venice, so I had asked Marco, the very helpful concierge at the Hotel Bauer, to organise help for us getting from the train, across the water and into the hotel. The quote sounded expensive, but it was worth it, especially for
On board our luxurious water taxi
Our charming taxi driver
the excitement on my sister’s face when we boarded our private, spacious and very elegant water taxi and took off along the Grand Canal. It was heaven.
These photos remind me of a jigsaw puzzle I had when I was eight. I decided then that I must visit Venice.
Goods delivery on the canal
Gondoliers line up for tourists
We saw the equivalent of a delivery van as goods were unloaded from the water; and as we approached our hotel, gondoliers were lined up, ready to transport tourists from other hotels nearby.
We arrived at the Hotel Bauer and were escorted inside
Comfortable beds in a quiet room.
Everything in Venice is expensive, but with only three nights here, I wanted five star luxury. The Hotel Bauer was all we could wish for and the service was excellent. Our accommodation was comfortable and quiet. After four days running around in Florence, we unpacked, sent messages and photos on Facebook. ordered room service and went to bed early.