Day 15: Veneto

We began our day in fair Verona, a morning of shopping and exploring the ancient streets and unique wares of the local market. After meeting Romeo, the friendly feline resident of our hotel, it was only fitting we also visited Giulietta at her balcony. We worked through our embarrassment and touched the statue's breast as it is said to give good luck. Some of us even called up to the balcony but no one appeared. Verona was such a beautiful place and so full of history so we naturally had a wonderful time finding our own special places and experiences in the local area. While many of us stayed on flat ground to buy clothes, jewellery, and other souvenirs, some made more strenuous trips up stairs to view ancient castles. By the early afternoon our adventuring had made us hungry so it was time for another trip to the supermarket to stock up on snacks and lunch foods for our trip to Mestre. 

  After loading the bus with our luggage, we were transported to the train station where we were all excitedly anticipating a journey on the Frecciarossa (literally red arrow - the fast trains of Italy). The train was spacious, clean, and comfortable so we happily chatted and relaxed on our way to Mestre. When we arrived not too long afterwards we walked to our final hotel for the trip where we were grateful to have a soft bed to crash on and a warm shower to refresh ourselves before dinner. For dinner, we walked past the train station to a restaurant named La Dolce Vita (the sweet life) where we definitely had a taste of the sweet life with an abundant menu featuring pizza, pasta, meat dishes, fresh seafood... something to suit any taste! We also washed our meal down with the usual acqua naturale or frizzante (still or sparkling water) with some opting to try Italian soft drinks such as Fanta that tastes like real oranges or limonata (lemonade) made with Sicilian lemons.

Following dinner it was a unanimous decision to make a moonlit evening trip to Venezia together. We frantically purchased our tickets mere moments before boarding the train at the platform but we all made it on in time and successfully arrived at Venezia Santa Lucia. The visual impact even immediately exiting the station was something most of us had never witnessed before and certainly hadn't anticipated. The area around the train station was architecturally magnificent with decorated buildings and bridges overlooking the waterway that twinkled in the moonlight. We walked together through Venice by night enjoying the spectacular streetscapes, rippling canals, and even spotted a few gondolas along the way. As we approached the time we would need to leave Venice in order to make the train ride back to Mestre, we paused for a refreshing gelato or granita enjoyed under the stars near the Ponte Rialto (Rialto Bridge). No one was complaining about the considerable walk back to the train station, however, as who could lament walking through Venice, even when tired.