This is my fourth trip to Italy, but the first time in Venice. After the ticket mix up at the Amsterdam airport, we arrived safely and on time. A speedboat took us from the airport to the Molino Stucky, a pasta factory once owned by the richest man in Venice now converted into a charming Hilton Hotel. The speedy ride down the Grand Canal was a spectacular way to enter the city, despite the rain. There is no other city in the world like Venice.

We enjoyed dinner at the hotel restaurant and a nightcap in the Skyline Bar with the highest viewpoint of the city. My wife was sleepless most of the night, so I got up early and quietly went to the fitness center to get my daily miles out of the way. Outside, the snow was blowing sideways, so there was little incentive to get an early start on sightseeing. The first shuttle to San Marco is 10:15 and then hourly. My wife was not happy that I woke her up after a tough night, but she will be excited to see the city, even through tired eyes. She’s already made it clear that this will be the last trip we’ll take in March to Europe. It’s a good thing we have our winter coats. 

Ciao!