We’re off! Miami to Venice via Dusseldorf. The day starts off early enough in Ft. Lauderdale (drove down on Friday), we organize, repack our bags and head to Miami International around noon. Flight isn’t until 4, but we can’t get seats assigned so the early to the airport, the better. Check in was a breeze – got our seats and wandered off to the terminal to find someplace to eat – this will be our lunch/pre-dinner food since we figure we won’t have food on the plane until around 6ish.
Had an enjoyable meal at TGI Fridays, talking to a couple just off a Carnival cruise and then a British gentleman who lives in Bermuda. Easy way to spend an hour or so before the flight to Dusseldorf!
Plane is off early – we end up scoring two rows of 2 seats each so we can spread out a little bit and sleep better. The flight was the flight. Good, not too many babies screaming, managed a few hours of shut eye – then welcome to Dusseldorf! We landed around 6:15 or so – and then had a 7 hour layover! No way we were sitting in the airport for that long – so we stored our carryon bags with the left luggage facility and headed into Dusselfdorf.
The weather is delightful! what a great change from HHI. It’s maybe 55 degrees – foggy – but oh its worth it for the cool temps! Jackets are on and we’re reveling in the fresh breeze! Sigh…
It’s a quick 10 minute train ride into the center of town. Then we hop the subway to the old town. Sadly it is only 7:30am on a Sunday morning, so there isn’t a darn thing open – anywhere – well besides the churches! So we wander around a bit and explore the all but deserted town. Took a few pix and then headed back to the main train station.
It was still a bit early to be going back to the airport, so we hung around the main train station for a while –grabbing a cappuccino at Mickey D’s. Then back on the SS11 to the airport. Grabbed our bags from left luggage and were back safe and sound inside the terminal with plenty of time to spare.
Managed to grab a quick breakfast/mid-morning snack of cheese bread and sausage rolled in flaky dough, then figured it was late enough (body time) to have a beer and wine. Finally it was time for our Venice flight! It of course was late (figures!!) and when we finally got to board the flight attendant had a coronary over all the carry on bags and forced us all to give them up and put them in the hold. There was a minor revolt – but to no avail - she kept saying she had no room to store the bags on the plane, but all the overhead bins were completely empty!!! I managed to snag my medicine out of the carryon before she ripped it of my hands, but we still fretted through the 1 1/2 flight about everything that was in those carryon bags that we really, really couldn’t lose.
Alls well that ends well though, the bags came off the carousel in Venice and we both breathed a huge sigh of relief. Off we go to the ACTV bus to Pizalle Roma – the mad rush ensues for luggage space and seats – sadly a group of folks on our plane didn’t make the bus (I felt bad, but it’s kind of survival of the fittest with those buses, so I’m sure they got the next one!).
Finally we are here! We grab our bags and trundle over to the Olimpia where we are reunited with Gaby and Sigis in the beautiful hotel garden. We spend an hour or so chatting, exchanging gifts and sharing a welcome drink!
Then we freshen up and off we go for drinks and dinner. We wander over to Campo Santa Margerita near the University, where our favorite cichetti bar is located. Unfortunately it is closed, but we find a sports bar for a drink.
Then next door to the sports bar is a typical Italian restaurant where the menu looks good, so we end up there for dinner. Excellent choice – there is a special menu for 18 Euros with 3 courses that both Ed and Sigis get – Spaghetti di mare (mussels, clams and a mix of seafood), salad and then a whole fish! I got fried olives stuffed with meat (very odd, but very good!) and Scallopine Limone. Gaby had salad and gnocchi. All wonderfully prepared and perfect for our first night dinner!
We head back to the hotel through the darkness of Venice and the small lanes, alleyways and bridges…..
…LOL…not very photogenic with my little camera…but at least you might be able to get the idea. It’s been a wonderful reunion, a fabulous first night in Venice and we are looking forward to a good night’s sleep and a fun day tomorrow exploring the outer islands of Venezia!
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