Off to a great start in Milan with a visit to the hairdresser for a wash and blow dry then to the station to discover our 2.5 hour trip is on a EuroCity service. That means a fast clean train with food and some luggage storage available (as compared to having to share a cramped compartment with our luggage like Monterosso to Milan).
I solved the problem of what to do with the care pack provided by the Airport authority when our suitcase went missing (t- shirt that was to big for me and too small for Greg, toothbrush and paste, shaver and other bits and pieces). I added unwanted complimentary bits and pieces from business class toiletry bags and took them to the park in front of the railway station and gave them to a homeless couple.
The EuroCity train from Milan to Venezia Santa Lucia was a dream. every seat has power connection so Greg charged up various devices and used the free wifi.
Emerging from the Venezia Santa Lucia train station we found ourselves immediately right on the Grand Canal.
It only took a few minutes to work out the ferry system and we were soon jammed on a vaporetti from Ferrovia (railway station) to Zattere where we are staying. Diana met us at the apartment and showed us round. I knew it was going to be small but not this small but it has everything we need. The kitchen is a ceiling high cupboard behind a set of bi-fold doors, but workable, and the bed can easily be moved away from the wall at night so I can get in and out without climbing over Greg. An extra lounge can be pulled down from above the staircase entrance. The "apartment" is right on the water and there is a passing parade of boats. The first apt we had in Monterosso came with a manual with information & instructions and a map which were very handy. The 2nd apt had a map and various brochures. This one has nothing. I think there should at least be a map.
Night view from the apartment window
Anne & Bob arrived at their hotel few hours before us and we had arranged to meet them at their hotel at 5pm. Greg mapped our route using an app on his phone. We only have to backtrack once and we are surprised at how quickly we reached their hotel. They are waiting for us in the lounge enjoying a glass of wine. Bob organises a bottle of wine and we exchange stories about airport and flight experiences. It's a bit early but we are hungry and A & B are very tired so we set off to find dinner.
The cafes in the area are all very touristy but we are too tired to wander any further so we settle into one in a campo half way between where we are each staying. The food is pretty ordinary but the owner is friendly and we enjoy the catch-up. By 8.30pm we were ready to head to our respective 'homes'.
