This morning we decided to rise early and get a Gondola ride near the Hotel Bauer, one of the ugliest hotels in Venice. We were so early we beat the gondoliers! The ride was 120 Euro per gondola so we sat in and floated off around the canals of venice. Very relaxing and surprisingly quiet. The gondolier could not speak much english but he was very knowledgeable when it came to his boat and also the buildings on the grand Canal. We saw Marco Polos home and also the nicest city hall I have ever seen. After the ride we caught the Vaporetto to the train staion and hopped on a train to firenze- Florence. The weather is less humid and hot here and the drinks and food more expensive, if you can believe that. 5.00 euro for a Coke thats warm!!The kids a nd I are really tired and we are off to Pisa tomorrow to the Tower so its an early night for all. The hotel here is so funny, we are on the very top floor so we had to - you guessed it lug all the bags up the goddam stairs again, boy I hope i have lost at least 3 pounds!!

The Duomo is awesome it makes up for the expense and it really is like the walls have been painted, not hand carved from marble. We also trotted off to the Pontre Vechio bridge, quiant and full of gold stores. Had another gelatto and we are off to bed!