High speed train to venice!!

The beautiful venice canals 

Woke up Saturday morning to a magnificent day and decided to do something totally spontaneous.  We packed an overnight bag and headed to the lucca train station and four hours later we stepped off the train and into one of the most magnificent cities in the world...Venice!!  While we had been there before this time felt totally different.  Spring was in the air, the streets were crowded but not jammed with tourists and it felt like the ideal venitian day. We quickly found a hotel right near San Marco square and hit the streets, not wanting to waste a minute. Howard had a "spritz" while I enjoyed a glass of vino overlooking the canals.  Next it was a bit more walking followed by a late dinner and some more walking before we finished off the night with a gelato!  (Some things never get old!). The next

It really is as good as it looks

morning we hit the local mercado and I took in all of the beautiful and fresh food being displayed. Not much buying or eating (thankfully!) but lots of pics.  For all of us foodies, you had to know these pics were coming!!! After the market we went to Basilica San Marco. The church was built in the 11th century and has some of the most magnificent gold and marble mosaics.  It really is incredible to think of how this work was done hundreds of years ago without any modern machinery and has withstood the test of time. Pretty amazing.  Next order of business was a gondola ride.  We know its pretty cheesy which is probably why we didn't do it the last time (plus it is a bit pricey!) but this time we decided we may as well go for it!!!

Basilica San Marco 

It really was beautiful seeing how they navigate through some of the smaller back canals and the views were out of this world.  After a late lunch and some more walking around in venice it was time for our train back. The train was very relaxing and the perfect time for a little nap before arriving in lucca. Got there just in time to walk the streets and have a bite before returning to the villa. This morning we woke up and decided to head to the sea (one of our favorite Sunday events).

Seaside stroll in Forte Dei Marmi...What a nice touch with the heart shaped design!

The seaside area of forte dei marmi is bustling with young upscale families enjoying each other, walking, talking and eating...what could be bad!!!  After a capucinno and a walk we headed to one of our other favorite spots...viareggio.  A bit different and less upscale than forte dei marmi but we love them both.  As the clouds rolled in we headed out and back home for the night and the end to a perfect weekend. Xoxo