Ahhhh Venice

Venice is all that you can imagine it to be. Our hotel was an easy walk from the train station. Here's a little aside. We purposely found hotels near the train stations and so far have not been disappointed. They are very quiet. We do not hear the trains at all and trains don't seem to blow their whistles in Europe.
 Two guidebooks I read recommended that the first thing to do in Venice is to just get lost and that's what we did. The streets are very narrow. Of course, there are no vehicles, only boats. Around every corner is a  picture postcard. You walk by little cafes, shops, restaurants. There are many mask shops. The movie "Eyes Wide Shut" with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman used these Venetian masks. We even saw the shop that supplied them. I don't recommend the movie. It's weird.
One day we took a water bus to the island of Murano. It's famous for glass making. Every shop sells the most intricate, beautiful glass pieces. I bought a clock for my guest room.
. St. Mark's Square is impressive. The church is worth going into. We had a glass of champagne at the Florea Cafe, which has been there for hundreds of years. I read that Casanova like to go to that cafe, because it was the only coffee house that allowed women. We sat outside, listened to the band, and just relaxed and observed.
Anyway, I'm sad to leave this most relaxing, peaceful island. It's now time to visit Roma. More to come.