Lost in Venice with a taste of Turkish Delight and Souvlaki

[love_the_life]

Great reading about the trip. Hope the pedestrian is OK - what a horrible way to end the hoho bus trip!
Weather looks to be fantastic. You'll find it hard to come back to winter!

 

[Pushka]

Weather is hot again. Went for an hours walk this am before checking out and drenched. Have never drink so much WATER , sweated, but not needed the loo.

Our sights last night - typical tourist having a lovely gyros with sauce dripping down the hands watching buskers.





Yesterday afternoon we tried the chillpots. Mine was chocolate and Sir was white chocolate. We declined the fruit.

 

[Pushka]

This morning to the wealthy area near Government House.

 

[Pushka]

Then Parliament House. The two soldiers guard the tomb of the Unknown Warrior. They change every hour. Around 15 minutes before the soldiers are inspected and their uniforms corrected and then people are invited to stand next to them, hats off, no touching, to have photos. I thought this a bit disrespectful so took a photo on their own.



This man inspected the uniforms and wiped sweat off their faces before photos.







It's hot just watching them. Their uniforms take several months to make.

 

[amaroo]

View attachment 33045

We're booked in here for three nights prior to our Turkish odyssey and Anzac 2015 dawn service. They tell me the bar/restaurant is top shelf Pushka - might be worth a visit!

 

[Pushka]

It looks fabulous Amaroo. Too $$ for us to try. On the hoho bus they say that's where all the DYKWIA's stay. Royalty and suchlike.

Currently standing in a queue waiting for checkin to open for flight to Venice. Free wifi.

 

[Pushka]

Back in Venice. This time we were the only ones in our shared taxi. And a lovely taxi it was.

First few shots before arrival. Beautiful market gardens.





The taxi with highly polished timber floors



The Canals. Again.

 

[Pushka]

Planes fly straight over the water taxi area.



And some bridges you need to duck for if standing.



People on the bridge take photos of us as we take photos of them

 

[Pushka]

Our hotel. Traditional Venice.
Right on the lagoon which is fantastic.





Last nights meal was disappointing. We dined at the hotel restaurant which had excellent reviews on TA plus as guests we were told we had a 20% discount which was good as their prices were high but on the lagoon.

Nice drinks. Received bread we didn't order. And didn't eat. The pizzas - the crust wasn't cooked so thick and floury in the middle. I got thru half and MrP only a 1/3. We didn't complain as we didn't want the angst on our last night. Then when we got the bill we were told no discount on pizza! Not happy Jan as we were not told that and we would have gone to a traditional local place if we'd known.

Then realised we were charged for the bread.

All they said was sorry but refused to correct it. Going to bite them on the backsides with an appropriate Trip Advisor report. Which I know they do read.

 

[RooFlyer]

Our hotel. Traditional Venice.
Right on the lagoon which is fantastic.

<snip>
Last nights meal was disappointing. We dined at the hotel restaurant which had excellent reviews on TA plus as guests we were told we had a 20% discount which was good as their prices were high but on the lagoon.

Nice drinks. Received bread we didn't order. And didn't eat. The pizzas - the crust wasn't cooked so thick and floury in the middle. I got thru half and MrP only a 1/3. We didn't complain as we didn't want the angst on our last night. Then when we got the bill we were told no discount on pizza! Not happy Jan as we were not told that and we would have gone to a traditional local place if we'd known.

Then realised we were charged for the bread.

All they said was sorry but refused to correct it. Going to bite them on the backsides with an appropriate Trip Advisor report. Which I know they do read.

Yeah, I learned the charge-for-unasked-bread trick the hard way the first night I was there. Was forever sending it back after that.

Am about to start my Trip Advisor reviews for the month long trip I just did. None of the Italian hotels we stayed at (all Accor MGallery) will come out well.

 

[love_the_life]

Many Italian restaurants have a 'pane e coperto' charge which, in effect, is a service charge (only with the bread thrown in). In translation it is 'bread and table wear'. Have had to pay it in Rome and Florence before.
As for the quality of the pizza, that's a real shame as you have had some great ones on the trip as evidenced by the photos!
The hotel room looks fantastic!
Prepare for cold weather when you get home. There is an arctic blast on the way. :mrgreen:

 

[Pushka]

Many Italian restaurants have a 'pane e coperto' charge which, in effect, is a service charge (only with the bread thrown in). In translation it is 'bread and table wear'. Have had to pay it in Rome and Florence before.
As for the quality of the pizza, that's a real shame as you have had some great ones on the trip as evidenced by the photos!
The hotel room looks fantastic!
Prepare for cold weather when you get home. There is an arctic blast on the way. :mrgreen:

We got a service charge as well! So two, make that three nice surprises!

I hear there is snow forecast for Adelaide. Canberra will be worse.

RooFlyer you'd think with Trip Advisor that Hotels/restaurants would give that some thought.

Venice drizzly today.

Cunard QE is here! And Pulmantur whatever line that is.

Waiting now for transport to start the trek home.

 

[love_the_life]

Two service changes? That's a bit over the top. No wonder you were under-impressed! Safe travels home.

 

[Pushka]

Emirates values Gold. Skipped a huge queue to go straight to the front for checkin. Done with 2 minutes. Then given a priority card to skip passport and security queue. The lineup for that was so long they had security directing people to the end of the queue as it was impossible to see where that was.

Now in the Marco Polo Lounge. Very quiet and peaceful in an otherwise chaotic airport.

 

[Pushka]

And another quick queue bypass to board.

Now in Dubai lounge after 6 hours from Venice. The 12 hour flight to Adelaide imminent.

The lounge is huge. Moët quite pleasant.



I'd thought Emirates wasn't flying over Iraq but the flight plan says differently.



Someone asked whether the small spirit bottles were dispensed. I had to check.

 

[TomVexille]

Shame about your last night. Hope your flight home is good.

 

[ellen10]

Loved your photos and trip report.
Thanks for sharing.
Safe flight.

 

[OATEK]

I have really appreciated this report. I have learnt so much ahead of our planned trip to the Aegean next April. And despite your last night in Italy it seems you have had a marvelous time.

 

[drron]

Thanks for taking us along.definitely a worthwhile read.

 

[Ric]

Thoroughly enjoyed this TR. Many thanks for your efforts!