Pictures: San Marco's at night, The grand canal, us in a park off the beaten path in venice, a shot from inside the museum of the vatican in rome, the entrance to the Duomo here in Florence.

Hello Everyone! We had an incredible time in Venice, and now we are in Florence. Venice was much better then we expected. It really is everything you would imagine, beautiful, expensive, calm and crazy at the same time. I really got a kick out of taking the vaporetto -a city water boat instead of a city bus- on the grand canal and out to Murano island (birthplace of ventian glass). San Marco (the biggest and most elaborate church) and the neighboring buildings we simply jaw dropping. We haven't tired of espressos and pastries for breakfast and or afternoon snack. mmmmmm, yum. The espresso really is everywhere, and most of it is fantastic although I must admit we have had a few cups that don't measure up to the REG barista extrodinaire Ben Preston, he sets the bar pretty high for an American.

We'll be here for a night and a day, then I will have to buckle down and work for a day at the Villa. CJ will relax by the pool, too cold to swim though.

Ciao!