From Venice to Paris

Con't from previous Europe tour posts in Dec-Jan 2008-09...
Actually, it does not cost that much to travel in Europe. Once you landed there, you can take one of the many budget airlines like Easyjet, Ryanair etc which will take you from city to city.

We took Ryanair from Rome to Venice instead of Train - "Trenitalia". Actually we intended to take the overnight train, but the website so so unreliable and most informations and explanations are in Italian. Hence we explored the flight option and found that it was even cheaper and much more flexible and faster. From Rome to Venice, judging from the booking website, the train only have like one trip per day and it arrives at midnight in Venice.We were not sure we will get to the hotal on time as it will require taking the water taxi, walking a short distance by foot. It was certaintly not an attractive option at first thought.

The plane only takes less than an hour. And we have cheap connecting buses from the airport to the city.

Venice was worth the trip as it has such unique history and sights. I suppose many would have chosen it for honey moon location as it has a romantic feel to it, being an ancient, cultured and affluent city, seemingly floating on water...



Venetian Sweets/Cookies


As the real gondolas rides are like 80 euros per couple, So we opted for the cheaper version- a ride a cross the grand canals - only one minute but only for 2 Euros



One of the "Dry Street" where little cafe's and shops abound - Coffee are sold over the counter in little cups - really strong coffee/expresso that are gulped down quickly like hard liquor over the bar counter. (After this, you would not be impressed at all by the weak coffee sold by Starbucks or Gloria Jean)


One of the many "Back-lane" - a small canal

Random Street Buskers - All dress in Black - they called themselves the "Black Christmas Carolers" - "Nero" something in Italian


Jon & Sarah dancing to the music in one of the Night Market - Christmas Lights and lots of goodies like cheeses, sausages and host of other cute stuff ---- plus "warmed wine" - excellent for the cold winter night


Not a very good shot at the Grand Canal - From the Rialto Bridge


Water laping at the threshold of houses - where gondolas are moored




Beautiful Skyline at Sunset....