Today found us packing around bags once again in preparation to navigating Eeyore through the mountains from Alta Badia.

After enjoying more fantastic cow milk, fresh yogurt and other goodies for breakfast at our hotel (free breakfast another credit card perk). The bellman helped us with our luggage.Which happens to be quite heavy by now with shopping that has been done. All loaded up, Eeyore is ready and we are ready...let's go. With google maps guiding us to the Hertz office in Venezia, we started on our three hour journey through the mountains heading towards the plains and the sea. Trying to keep the eyes on the road and take in the scenery can be a real challenge.

*Stunning views! Hard to keep the eyes on the road at times…*

The drive was beautiful and a bit of an obstacle course at times by going through construction zones on these narrow mountain roads and then dodging random orange cones. It took us around 2 hours to drive out of the mountians into the flat plains, an hour later we were driving over the long bridge into the outskirts of Venice.

We waited at the Hertz office for 30 mins or so until they opened back up after their lunch break (which lasted from 12:00 to 14:30). Thankfully we had full coverage and we were able to walk away from our damaged vehicle without being charged any extra.

*Poor Eeyore…mirrors and buses don’t get along*

So long Eeyore...you've been great!

Our long awaited experience with the city of boats and canals had finally arrived. From the Hertz rental car drop off, we headed off with our bags in tow. In search of the nearest Vaporette stop that would take us to San Stae station, nearest station to our hotel. (Roller bags are sure nice until the stairs appear, just sayin..;)

We found the ferry boat dock bought our first Vaporette ticket and rolled our luggage on board what we thought was Line 2. Blissfully unaware we were on Line 1. As we were taking in the sites and sounds of this amazing city it became clear we were not going to stop at San Stae Station but rather we were being dropped off at the Rialto Station.

*Our arrival into Venice by vaporette. That is one of the many public ferries lines.*

Thankfully a kind gentleman noticed how confused we must've looked and made sure we caught the correct ferry Line 2.

From San Stae station it should be only a short walk to our hotel. Anyone familiar with trying to navigate a new city with narrow alleys and tall buildings, with the Walking directions on Google maps will understand how confusing it can be to actually know if we are to turn down this alley or go down the other alley.

After while we gave up and messaged our host telling Brittany we were lost, Lol! Brittany tells us we are nearly there. We just need to walk down the ally in front us to end, turn right, then walk down a shorter ally until we end up in front of two iron unmarked doors and she would meet us there.

Following her directions we had no trouble finding the two iron doors, just to realize we had all ready came to these doors once before only to have determined we were at the wrong place.

*The unmarked doors outside our boutique hotel.*

Soon the big iron doors swung open and Brittany welcomed us into the beautiful garden piazza of Hotel Cima Rosa. Our home for the next three nights.

*On the otherside of the iron doors we were greeted by this peaceful and beautiful garden piazza.*

After checking in and learning about about our surrounding neighborhood, where to eat, things to do, etc we headed upstairs to our amazing room overlooking the Grand Canal.

*One of the many boat sightings outside our bedroom window*

This is only five room boutique hotel and we happened to have the whole place to ourselves for the first two nights due to covid their booking being lower than normal.

*Our home base for the next three nights*

This hotel is ideally located right on the Grand Canal with its own dock for water taxis. Excellent local neighborhood close by, with great small restaurants and many canals, bridges, and alleys to get lost in while exploring this incredible city built over water.

*The neighborhood Piazza were the children play and the adults gather to chat. Nice selection of Trattorias in this area to eat at as well.*

This city is an amazing engineering accomplishment. The majority of all the buildings, streets, etc…are being held up by many, many wood post driven deep into the mud below. This is one of the reason the Venetian people loathe cruise ships docking at the their harbor. Their unique city and way of life is fragile. The city has been slowly sinking over time. These massive cruise ships move so much water their fear is this can only be speeding up the decay below the city. The other side of this argument is the fact Venetians tourist. Many depend on the tourist money to survive. Maybe there can be compromise made somehow in the city's behalf? Like arriving into Venice by other means besides the cruise ships? Time will tell.

After getting settled in our room and needing food, we decided to head out into our neighborhood to find the local Venetian afternoon snack called Cicchetti. Which is usually a piece of bread with many different toppings.

Venetian cuisine revolves around what the sea has to offer. Our Cicchetti this afternoon were mainly fish inspired toppings. A couple had vegetables and prosciutto. All were delicious.

*The place we had Cicchetti on the left. A bakery is on the right.*

Feeling energized again we began the 15 min walk to the the must see Rialto Bridge.

After taking in the views from the bridge we decided to walk alittle futher to see the San Marco Piazza. We had seen the pictures of this square filled with people but found it nearly empty.

*An empty San Marco Piazza and the Tower we went up*

*San Marco Piazza and the Tower. An option for a great view of the city.*

It's a beautiful Piazza surrounded by restraunts and shops. We noticed the Tower in San Marco square was open and basically no waiting time. Since we were here we decided to go up and take a look around the city at sunset. Cost us ten euro each.

*A view from the Tower we went up in San Marco Piazza*

*Another view from the Tower in San Marco Piazza*

Now the for the 25min treck back to our hotel neighborhood to find a place to eat dinner. The feet say it has been a long enough day and the stomach is begging for food. We stopped at a Trattoria conviently just down the street from our hotel.

*The yummy Trattoria just down the street from our hotel*

*Pasta with shrimp, zucchini and tomatoes…so good*

We were so impressed with the food and price. This became the place we would eat at three times while in Venice.

It’s been a long but good day. We have seen so much from the mountains to the water city of Venice. Looking forward to meeting our guide Giada tomorrow morning at 9:15. She is going to take us to explore her home town Treviso. But first we need to take in the peaceful sleepy view from the dock.

*The dock outside Cima Rosa where we would catch a water taxis ride to the airport in a few days…*

*A evening view of the main street of Venice*

Salute Dolomites, Ciao Venezia

Venice, Treviso

Dolomites Mountains