(D) Wow, what a day! We woke up at the Metro Hotel Dublin Airport, where we'd stayed overnight, at 4am ready for a 5am shuttle to the Airport for our flight to Venice. Our flight wasn't until 7.30 but given it was an international one, and we wanted to do our tax free refund returns at the airport beforehand and, most importantly, Liane had read horror stories how busy it could be even first thing in the morning..... and ok also given the fact neither Liane nor I can stand even the slightest chance or remotest possibility of being late - anyway all those things combined meant we had to get there with lots and lots of time to spare.

As it was, though it was busy and the security lines were a nightmare with everyone having to take off boots and belts etc etc, in was actually pretty smooth sailing in general. RyanAir was fine to fly with, obviously a budget airline so not so much as a free cup of coffee but that's why you get a cheap fare so no complaints from me. They were on time, clean and friendly enough so yes all good.

As we'd flown into Treviso, the airport about 40mins north ish from Venice, once we got off the flight we went straight and bought ATVO bus tickets into Venice itself. The bus left within minutes of us getting there and it didn't seem long before we were in town. Getting off the bus at Piazzale di Roma, we then bought single tickets to get the vaporetto (Venetian ferry) to our hotel, The Paganelli, right on St Marks Basin.

We had intended to catch the one going down the Grand Canal but somehow caught the one going the other way.... a shame in a way but then again we were laden with backpacks and honestly were just pleased to have figured out tickets, piers to leave from and to actually catch a boat that did take us where we wanted to go, so b***** the rest at this stage! It was only around 2pm ish by the time we arrived at our Hotel but honestly I felt like I'd been run over by a bus I was so tired and all I really wanted to do was lose the backpack!

Booked into our fabulously located "home for the next few days", we dropped off our bags in our room and after a quick freshen up we headed out to wander.... and wander..... and wander. If ever a place is made for a directional challenged couple of sisters like Liane and I to get pleasantly and delightfully lost in it would have to be Venice. The canals with their gorgeous bridges and the streets with nary a straight junction in sight - it's a mish mash cross hatched jewel of a place - I'm in love already!

As we wandered around we had to laugh at all the tourists earnestly studying maps at every corner - our advice? Throw away your maps and just keep roaming about about until you turn yourself around in circles, you'll eventually find your way somewhere.Though as Liane quipped..... yes but it could be days until you find your way back to your Hotel! We had a fabulous stroll, a yummy pizza, a couple of glasses of red and then found our way back to our Hotel (thanks Liane!!!) for a restful quiet evening.

The plan is to try and beat the tourists out in the morning.....wish us luck!

(L) Not much to add to Debs telling of the trip from Dublin to Treviso - Venice except to say that when I had booked the tickets I had a minor panic attack when I realised Treviso is not actually Venice! It is the airport that Ryan Air (and most certainly some others) use to service el cheapo travellers like ourselves! Good thing is that the flight was somewhat cheaper than flights from Dublin into Venice San Marco Polo. The flight was only 2 and half hours and from there we jumped on the bus for €12 each to Piazzale Roma,where with only a few unsure moments we found our way onto the Linea 2 Vaporetto to San Zaccaria.

Gorgeous view from our room… OMG …. we’re in Venice!!