Our day started with the gentle rain falling as we scurried down from our mountain top at a VERY fast pace at 5:00 a.m. in order to catch a 6:30 shuttle to the Naples airport. Everything was fine until our flight was postponed from 11:30 to 12:15. Our connecting flight in Rome to Florence was scheduled for a 1:20 departure. As we did the OJ Simpson through airport in Rome, our plane (which was actually a bus to the plane) pulled away for the gate and we bid it a fond farewell. It was a Delta (in Atlanta) experience! We quickly kicked into survival mode and found the nearest Transfer Desk (ticketing agent). She was able to get us on the next flight to Florence at 5:30. Now the Alitalia Airlines could teach our US airlines something about customer service. They immediately comped us a meal voucher that included first and second, drinks including wine!
We landed in Florence about 6:30 pm. It was still raining! Jumped on a bus to Siena, arriving at 8:00 in the middle of a basically deserted piazza. No taxis or any other mode of transportation around. Made a call to the hotel. They said to go to the taxi stand. What friggin' taxi stand?! We started walking (in the rain) dragging our luggage and tired butts in the general direction of the hotel. We stopped at the Hotel Continental and asked a doorman for directions. He started to tell us, but stopped in midsentence and suggested that he call us a taxi! He was our HERO!!
Once the cab arrived, it took about 5 minutes of weaved through the narrow crooked streets to get to our hotel. Not much to look at in the dark on a rainy night, but inside was heaven. A very quaint refurbished 18th century villa with period furniture and the nicest hotel clerk to date.
Keep in mind it is about 9:00 now. After we dropped the luggage and went gaga over the big soaky tub, decided we had to go out in search of food. (No room service available!) So we trucked back up the street through the rain to find some market, pizzeria, cafe...anything with food. About 1/2 mile later, with rain dripping off our hoods, we spied a restaurant...Chinese!!! Needless to saw, we were in ecstasy!! (We are beginning to get very tired of chewy bread, mozzarela cheese, and a funky ham!)
Quickly (cuz we're running out of internet time), today we went to the train station and purchased our tickets to our final destination...VENICE!!! We can't wait. We both are looking forward to the shopping and sightseeing. Of course, the traditional Bellini drink on St. Mark's Square.
The rest of the day has been a very laidback day. Just walking around, seeing a couple of sights, watching the people, and most importantly....washed our clothes at a laundrymat!
Got run...time is up!
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I can totally relate to having something other than Italian food. We take the variety we have here for granted. The last post gave me flashbacks but it appears your senses of humour are still intact. Hope Venice is wonderful.
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