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Well here we are at last in Vienna - its wet - rained ever since we crossed the Alps into Austria. But we have settled into our room at the Hilton Danube - 1st floor room with large picture window looking out over the Danube. WOnder what the morning will bring. However, to catch up on yesterdays doings - Venice
The day dawned fine and sunny after the rain the day before so we set out to explore the nooks and crannies of the lanes of Venice. Firstly we headed to the Rialto Bridge - much bigger than I thought - shops on it etc. The place is basically a real full size tourist attraction. We made our way looking at shop window after window - Murano glass, carvings, l;ace work - you name it. We finally made our way to St Marco Square, again abuzz with people and birds. But the sight is magnificent ( it seems an overused word but what else when English runs out of superlatives). The massive Basilica, the Bell Tower, the Doge Palace, the Grand Canal. WE joined the queue to see inside St MArk's with its completely gold mosaic walls and ceilings - the place where St MArk is reputed to now be buried. After that experience we walked along the canal to find a place where we were allowed to have something to eat wiothout having to buy it. Then we came back and paid our 26 euro for a tour of the Palace - wow, how the rich and famous live. Each room, of which there are plenty is adorned with painting of past victgories, of Christian images and themes, of people of the Republic of Venice. The palace was not just the home for the ruler (The Doge) but was also the home of the various ruling Councils, right up to the People's Council, a room that would hold 2000 people. Gold abounded. We also toured the prisons crfossing over from the Palace on the Bridge of Sighs but the Bridge could njot be seen from the outside because it has hoardings ove rit as it is being restored. Eventually leaving the Palace, we headed back into the Square and Graeme went up the big Bell Tower in the lift and what panoramic views of Venice lay before him. What an interesting placfe - the streets are waterways the rest is done by foot. Water taxis, water buses, and of course the gondolas with the distinctively dressed gondoliers - oh Guiseppi and Marco of G&S fame kept riunning around Graeme's strange head.
Then came the challenge of trying to find our way back to the hotel - it was a challenge but we rose to the occasion and following the grease and oil change that permitted we headed back to the Ca'd'Oro and aftyer my frustration at the hotel with the WIFI went out for dinner.

Morning soon came and we packed, breakfasted and caught the water bus to the Bus Station and waited for our coach to arrive to take us through the north Itialy plains and Alps into Austria to Villach. We were the only first class passengers and so we had the downstairs in our plush leather setas all to ourselves and had access to tea and coffee making facilities at our leisure. A change to train at Villach saws a 6 hour train ride to Vienna via Salzburg through the rain but still the countryside has a charm. But for now - its the Danube, Vienna, the Vienna Boys Choir, the Dancing Horses and then the tour officially starts. I'll add some photos in a moment.