Hello!!! Venice is fab, 3 nights is the way to go, haven't had to worry about getting up early for the next train at all! accidentally ordered a MAMMOTH ice cream yesterday (so big even i couldn't eat it) and helen and i have had lots of cultural discussions about modern art (" it's pathetic!" "no i love it!!!") as we went to the biennale (so arty!) and an island where they make glass. everything is very expensive here, so went to a great "restaurant" where we had pasta and tomatoes for 3euros, and have been buying packet olives for 35p, gluttenous amoutns of cherry tomatoes and olive bread from the supermarket for lunch! our only pain at budget travelling ahs been the lack of gondola rides...but at least we had the packed water buses! our room-mates think we're a couple as we misunderstood their question of " are you going out?" so it's been amusing! off to verona tomorrow, then hopefully luzern in switzerland on friday if we get accomodation. only 8 days till home... scary! xxxx

harriet failed to mention the guggenheim gallery which was also awesoem, but incredibly busy as we have been used to wnadreing around deserted galleries for most of the trip. xxx