Our train ride to Venice was very eventful. Our hotel in Rome was literally two block from Termini Station...so there were no problems getting to the station for our 10:52am departure. The problems were getting TO the train. No train attendent to tell us where the platform or first class section of the train was. And, no escalator/elevator to be found! Which was difficult for girls who don't travel light. Once we finally made it on the train and got all settled, Ebonee feels a thump under her seat. She realizes her Ipod has fallen out of her pocket and in between the seat's armrest. We tell her to push it out...and that pushed it DOWN further. Determined not to let Italy keep her Ipod, the three of us surround the seat. I'm pulling the cushion back, Danella's under the seat, and Ebonee is doing McGyver like hand moments trying to pull the Ipod out of the cervice it's perfect fallen in. With team work, we successfully retrieve the Ipod!!! ....and this is all before the train leaves.

The rest of the train ride is much more peaceful. It was very scenic, as we passed through the hills and valleys of the countryside. 5 hours later, we were crossing the waters from mainland Italy to the island of Venice. It was about 3pm...so we knew we only had a little bit of daylight left to enjoy.

It was MUCH colder in Venice. The coats, scarves, and gloves we abandoned in Rome, were badly needed here. Leaving the train station, we finally got to see the small town without roads or cars. Venice is a place of only walkways and waterways....tiny alleys that you could miss if you blinked. Luckily, Ebonee didn't blink because she saw the "street" our hotel was located.

Hotel Abbazia was cozy and quaint. It definitely had an old world European flair to it. We think it may have been an old convent, just from the character it has. It was right next door to a monastery, that we later discovered has a bell that LOUDLY chimes every morning at 7am (130 times...we counted).

We were greeting by the front desk attendant.. Faaaaabio, as we call him. Fabio was helpful in getting us settled and in finding food. You know the drill...it's 4pm...we're hungry and its not dinner time yet.

Fabio suggests we got to Cafe Brek, which isn't far away for a snack. I have a delightful wrap and cappucino. Eb has a wrap and her first cup of espresso...which gets a "who in the world drinks this?" rating. Danella stays true to her American roots and gets a Pepsi and a breaded chicken sandwich. All in all we're happy because we're warm and we're fed. The sun is setting on Venice...so we decide to just walk around and check things out. Tomorrow our Naples/Rome buddies are meeting us in Venice. They went to Florence after Rome, but decided to come hang out for a day.

Walking through Venice, you can see this is a place of great craftspeople. Beautiful blown glass from Murano, which is an island right next to Venice. You can get murano glass in anything. I especially like the glass jewelry. Venice is always known for its Carnivale masks...and these masks are extravagantly ornate.

After walking for an hour or so...the cold and the tiredness sets in. Venice isn't known for much nightlife...so we don't feel bad about heading back to our cozy room at Hotel Abbazia. Tomorrow we're ready to take Venice head on and get on the GONDOLA!!!!!!!!