Today we moved on from Milan to Venice. As in the past we took the train however this time we were on a Rail Europe Train rather than a Trenitali, the Italian national train service. EC 37 originated in Geneva, worked its way thru Switzerland and northern Italy ending in Venice. A swift, smooth ride every announcement was made in four languages, Italian, German, French and English. What was interesting was how the name of each stop was pronounced slightly different in each language, sometimes matter of fact, sometimes with a little passion.

We have now taken up residence in Venice at one of our favorite hotels in the world, Hotel Palazzo Stern on the Grand Canal. Kim and I stayed here in 2008 and we managed to get the same room that has a porch overlooking the Grand Canal. We were here in October 2008 while the financial crisis was peaking. Those events seared the trip deep in our memories and we are experiencing major déjà vu feelings being back.

Milano Centrale

Sydney ignoring the Italian country side…

The taxi ride in Venice.

Hotel Palazzo Stern

Sydney on the Accademia Bridge.

Kim & Syd at the Bridge of Sighs

In Piazza San Marco