Sorry, I didn't realize how long this is until I posted it all!
So I can close the book on this trip and start planning for next year, I’m writing a “short” Trip Report to say “I had a great time despite being plagued with illness and injury”. Of course "short" is relative and I do ramble on. I already posting my Packing report. The Trip Report starts in Venice, then moves on to RS Village Italy tour, then Florence and ending in Rome.
Here are the highlights:
Independent Travel:
This is the third time I sandwiched a Rick Steves tour between independent travel. I like the combination. I see what I want in larger cities but have companionship on the tour. I choose tours that take me to areas where public transportation is more difficult or will get me from Point A to Point B.
Days 1 & 2, August 27 & 28, travel:
I flew round trip Phoenix to Rome and back home on United. I prefer United because I’m fussy where I sit and when I board. Flying Economy, I can upgrade to a preferred seat and priority boarding for a lot less money than the cost of Premium Economy. I would have preferred open-jaw but the flights into Venice cost significantly more (+$400) and connection times were too short or too long.
After landing in Rome I took the Leonardo Express to Roma Termini, then TrenItalia to Venice. I booked a Business Area Silenzio ticket a couple months in advance to save money. Because the section only had business class access and was quiet, I felt secure enough to sleep during the 4 hour trip.
Venice:
To say that Venice is my one of my favorite cities is an understatement. I love Venice. This was my third visit in five years. I didn’t plan to do and see much. I just wanted to wander around to see what I missed on previous visits. I originally planned a day trip to Verona, but changed my mind to just enjoy Venice.
Upon arriving in Venice, I bought a 7-day vaporetto pass. There used to be a kiosk inside the train station on the restroom side of the tracks. It’s no longer there. The kiosk is now in front of vaporetto dock Ferrovia A at the manned ticket office. For a Museum Pass, there is a small tourist office across the walkway next to S. Lucia Point Luggage Storage. I bought the Museum Pass on a last minute whim and was so glad I did for easy access to the museums and churches I wanted to visit.
This was my second stay at B&B Corte Campana, a small three-room bed and breakfast in Castello on the backside of San Marco. Hosts Riccardo and Grace are wonderful people, helpful and engaging. I loved that on Night 3, they invited me to dinner at a locals’ restaurant Aciugheta, saying the first stay I was a guest, the second I am a friend, expecting me back in 2026 I will be family.
Day 3, August 29, Venice:
Murano: Shopped for glass Christmas ornaments, looking for shops displaying signage for Homo Faber International Craft Fair. Only true Murano glass shops can display the signs if they are vendors at the fair. I found cheap multi-colored slab glass ornaments at Amurianas Vitrum di Riccardo Todesco. Wandering past the expensive art glass displays in front to the back corners, I found affordable glassware in high-end shops.
Blessing of the Boats (Historical Regatta): Took the vaporetto to Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute at the tip of Dorsodoro. The blessing failed my expectations, no religious pomp and pageantry and it was quite boring.