Home»Italy > Greece > Paris - Day 05

Once again the day dawned bright and sunny, and after breakfast – which included a class of visiting teenagers from Finland - and repacking, we headed out for a morning walk.  It definitely pays to get out early.  The air is refreshingly cool and although there is no shortage of tourists out and about,  the busload hordes have not yet descended.

We walked to the nearby church of Santa Maria Maggiore, also designated a ‘papal basilica’, but much smaller and less ornate than St. Peter’s.  We found its relative simplicity much more pleasing though still over-decorated for our taste, and we were wondering if they ever use all twelve (!) confessionals.

Back to the hotel, check out, and take a cab to Roma Termini station.  Note that the cabs charge extra for luggage – about €3.50 over the meter price.

The station is big but well organized with plenty of excellent opportunities to buy food for the trip which we did while waiting for our mid-day train to Venice.  Having bought tickets on-line already, boarding the train was painless and our first-class seats were quiet and comfortable, and included free drinks at our seats.  We didn’t see any liquor but wine was certainly available though we stayed with coffee and water.

I’m writing this on the train at a very smooth 240 kph (150 mph) but although WiFi is available in return for one cent and your credit card details, I just couldn’t be bothered since I have nothing ready to post yet.

At ten past two, we’re about 100 minutes from Venice – more later.

We arrived right on time, left the clean modern railway station and immediately saw our hotel the other side of the canal.  After declining a porter’s offer to take our bags for 20 euros, we carried/wheeled them across a bridge and arrived 5 minutes later.  We have a lovely corner room on the 4th floor overlooking the canal.

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