Woke up early to catch the fast train from Florence to Venice, executive club level with private compartment. Spoilt by amex travel..

Arrive at 10am with 45 minutes to get to meeting point of tour at church of San Giacomo. Streets are so winding and we are lost immediately

We have a 3 hour foodie tour to experience how and what the local Venetians eat & drink. So full afterwards have trouble fitting in the gelati. An Irish couple from NZ, power couple from USA.

Go to San Marco square to find gondola ride. Sit down on steps listening to the band play, pay nothing till moved on by security.

Find the gondola company after ringing the tour organiser.. Ushered straight on to the next gondola past long queue of Chinese. No serenading but had Dean Martin singing on my Spotify.

Get lost again getting back to train station.

Back in Florence for late dinner outside hotel in piazza Santa Maria Novella