Italy - Return to Venice~

We had reservations for a direct train back to Venice.  Courtney called the Taxi company & told them when we needed to be at the station.  This time, we'd ordered the tickets on-line, so had no hold-up at the station.  Boarding the train, it was the most luxurious we'd been on.  Very few people on-board on an early Sunday morning.  Relaxing just to sit back & watch the scenery go by.

Along the Coast~

With no further connections to make, we arrived in Venice in good time.  I'd wanted to go ahead & take the commuter train over to Hilton Gardens, where we'd spend our last night.

Venice Train Station~

Courtney had some last minute shopping she wanted to do.  Lunch was sounding really good too, since we'd not had breakfast.  We checked our bags at the station, the line was long, but eventually we had our claim ticket.  

Another beautiful Cathedral~

The day was the warmest so far & more humid than at the coast.  On the streets, the town was the busiest we'd seen it!  We originally were going to walk back to the Hard Rock Café store, but after trying to make time through the crowds, we changed our minds in favor of lunch.

A tall girl standing outside a restaurant caught my eye & in English - said; "The food is wonderful!"  I asked if she had something in a quiet corner & we were soon seated.  A very savvy business owner, to have someone who spoke English to bring in customers. 

Another amazing piece of art~

The above painting was my view from our booth.  The usual great food, if a bit pricy, since we were on a main thoroughfare.

On the streets~

With so many people in town, the shops were as busy as the streets were full.  

Coming down the steps from one of the many bridges~

Those who know me, know I'm not big on crowds.  It was a sudden change from the quiet of Cecina & the beach.

A very busy place~

Courtney did some shopping while I stood against a wall in the shade & enjoyed what I knew would be my last Italian Gelato.

Street Vendors~

Courtney found the last of her gifts for the kids & we went back to the train station to recover our bags.  We bought tickets, but nowhere did the ticket give a bin number or destination?  Courtney went to the Trenitalia booth twice.  Finally, scanning the departure boards, we thought we had the right train & boarded.  This commuter train was to cross the bridge over the waterway to the mainland..  People were getting on right up until the last minute before the train pulled out.  The train was so full all the seats were occupied & it was standing room only.  

We saw our stop coming up, the train slowed, but didn't stop!  We tried asking fellow commuters, who told us it would stop at the next station.  That would be one past where we'd wanted to disembark.  I was very glad I'd listened to my daughter & we'd stayed in town to eat & shop, rather than go to the hotel & try to return to town.  The area the train was traveling through became more industrial.

We made the decision to get off there.  After all, we could catch a train the other direction, but I was done with trains!  The Hilton assured us we were close, but they didn't have a shuttle available.  It was getting late in the day.  We walked the short distance to the nearest local hotel & caught a cab.

Hilton Gardens~

Checking into the Hilton Gardens, I was glad we'd spent our first days in the Italian hotels. Our room was spotless & comfortable.  Courtney went to do laundry.  David had called a couple times.  First to say my seat had been upgraded, then that the seats had remained the same, at the back of the plane.

I called Delta, determined to find a way to get seats that might be more comfortable.  I was dreading a repeat of the flight here. I spent over an hour on the phone. The Delta representative did her best, but explained, when they sell seats to Expedia, they are unable to make changes. I offered to pay more, but no luck, the plane was full.

Our last evening, still full from lunch, we nixed dinner. Both tired & anxious to get home!