Last night we wound up eating at McDonalds because everything else was closed (including the pizza place that the Frommer's Book said would be open). We tried to go to the cafe in the park after that, but that was closed, too. Apparently, there was a festival and the park was closed to the public. Everyone was drunk and shouting in the streets, "Allez, Allez, Allez ... " or something like that.

After midnight, they kicked us out of the cafe and we went to pick up our luggage and wait for our 2 AM overnight train.

When we woke up, we were in Italy! We had a full day ahead of us! We saw this big church, "Basilica de San Marco" that had humongous gold mosaics on the ceilings and arch-ways. There was a terrific view of the "San Marco Square" there, too.

The square was filled with pigeons. It reminded me of Trafalgar Square in England.

Next, we climbed the bell tower of Venice. Actually, it was an elevator so our legs got a rest!

The view at the top was incredible because you couldn't see any roads! The buildings were so close together.

We checked into the hotel, showered up, and went to dinner (lunch) downstairs. It was expensive, but delicious (muscles and spaghetti!). Then we walked on over to where they were giving gondola rides! We went on one for a half-hour! It was so relaxing. We took a stroll on the "Rialto Bridge" and did some souvenir shopping. We even bought fresh strawberries and ate them by the grand canal!

We walked back to "San Marco Square", walked around at sunset and we saw the "bridge of sighs". Then we walked over to a chamber concert, where they were playing Vivaldi's "four seasons." It was good! The atmosphere was nice. They were all dressed p in 18'th century garb! After the concert, we walked around "San Marco" at night to see it all lit up. It was beautiful. And there were street musicians in front of restaurants competing for an audience. It was really fun.

Tomorrow: Rome!

Day 1/Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Day 13 Day 14 Day 15 Day 16 Day 17 Day 18 Day 19 Epilogue