It was 2145 hrs as we pushed off for our next destination in pitch darkness. We were joking and laughing all the way unaware of what uncertainties lay ahead. Raj had called up the hotel to inform our late arrival. As we would come to know later the hotel was more of a hostel but with private rooms in a huge barn like wooden building in a quaint little village. The hotel staff leaves by 2200 hrs so if we were to arrive later, following were the instructions as und...

Now I know why the 'goras' are so obsessed with discussing weather, depending on it your whole day plays out. When we got up the same cold and grey weather continued but thankfully it wasn't raining. Raj and Sid got up a bit late after having celebrated latter's birthday at some nearby bar while Swati and I, habitual by now, got up early. After getting ready in the common bathrooms for the entire floor we were ready for breakfast. We choose the 3.5 euro eat all y...

Today's forecast for Venice was rain! However we woke up to brilliant sunshine that awakened our spirits as well. I was happy on two accounts; one we would have a sun kissed day to explore Venice and two even their weatherman goes wrong. But before we could start seeing the city, I had to check-in the hotel as we had arrived late yesterday and also pay those extra charges. At the reception I was met by this fat lady whose face I tried to search behind her layers ...

Today we got up to another sun kissed Venetian day, but it's the day of our departure to Salzburg where it's forecasted to be wet and cold. I am glad we got those closed boots for Swati the day before. After a quick breakfast at another roadside cafe we took the local train to the mainland station of mestre. From here our ticket said train to a border village called Villach where we would change for Salzburg. We searched the electronic display for our train no. b...

Unlike Milan, which at some places looked like a ghost town, Venice was teeming with people which made my progress to the hotel slow. After a wrong turn and incorrect Google maps address we finally reached the hotel reception door at 1915 hrs only to find it shut with a phone number written on a piece of paper. Now not only would I have to pay the extra charge but also make calls while in international roaming. Again the same lady answered and said someone will b...