Our second morning in Venice was much like the first except for birds singing early in the morning. They sound much like our Robins and seem pretty happy even with so few trees.
We were on the "road" right after breakfast. I say road because first you have to wheel your luggage down to the nearest ferry stop.. in our case St. Marks Square and wait until one arrives. It stops at 6 or 8 places along the Grand Canal before it gets to the car parking lot... in all from the time we left the Inn, it as almost 2 hours gone.
The good thing was the car was just as we had left it and, with a new GPS heading, we were on the way to San Marino. We took the Autostrada and made good time. With one stop for a quick bite of lunch and fuel just past Balogna, we were in the Grand Hotel San Marino by 3.
The country from Venice to Bologna is mostly flat and heavily agricultured. You see very few animals but all manner of crops. It would appear that the barley will be ready to harvest in 3 weeks time and corn will tassel in a couple of weeks.
We paid 1.74 euro/l for fuel so it didn't take long to put 50 euros in the tank. The car is a diesel so pretty good on fuel.
The GPS really proved its worth today. It even warned us about upcoming traffic in Bologna. The best part was how it took us right to the hotel door through so many twisty turny streets.
We explored San Marino until about 6. I was expecting crowds but it was really pretty quiet.
A lot has changed since I was first there 30 years ago. It has, for lack of a better expression, Disneyfied. Everything is super clean and fixed up. It is full of factory stores and tax free outlets. Things are much cheaper than Venice however. While the old town and fortifications are intact and better than ever, it just seems to have lost a bit of something.
What has not changed are the views of the surrounding country which are fabulous.
The very nice young woman at the front desk had given us a recommendation for a restaurant and she was certainly right. The Titano Panorama served a great meal at an excellent price. The service was every attentive. One of our best meals while on Italy so far.
We also recommend the Grand Hotel San Marino. It was very comfortable and modern and the staff were great.
We head to Tuscany tomorrow to start the last part of our vacation.
We were on the "road" right after breakfast. I say road because first you have to wheel your luggage down to the nearest ferry stop.. in our case St. Marks Square and wait until one arrives. It stops at 6 or 8 places along the Grand Canal before it gets to the car parking lot... in all from the time we left the Inn, it as almost 2 hours gone.
The good thing was the car was just as we had left it and, with a new GPS heading, we were on the way to San Marino. We took the Autostrada and made good time. With one stop for a quick bite of lunch and fuel just past Balogna, we were in the Grand Hotel San Marino by 3.
The country from Venice to Bologna is mostly flat and heavily agricultured. You see very few animals but all manner of crops. It would appear that the barley will be ready to harvest in 3 weeks time and corn will tassel in a couple of weeks.
We paid 1.74 euro/l for fuel so it didn't take long to put 50 euros in the tank. The car is a diesel so pretty good on fuel.
The GPS really proved its worth today. It even warned us about upcoming traffic in Bologna. The best part was how it took us right to the hotel door through so many twisty turny streets.
We explored San Marino until about 6. I was expecting crowds but it was really pretty quiet.
A lot has changed since I was first there 30 years ago. It has, for lack of a better expression, Disneyfied. Everything is super clean and fixed up. It is full of factory stores and tax free outlets. Things are much cheaper than Venice however. While the old town and fortifications are intact and better than ever, it just seems to have lost a bit of something.
What has not changed are the views of the surrounding country which are fabulous.
The very nice young woman at the front desk had given us a recommendation for a restaurant and she was certainly right. The Titano Panorama served a great meal at an excellent price. The service was every attentive. One of our best meals while on Italy so far.
We also recommend the Grand Hotel San Marino. It was very comfortable and modern and the staff were great.
We head to Tuscany tomorrow to start the last part of our vacation.
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