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Steak and beef cheeks at Lovo….

THE alarm goes off at 3am…ooooffft. We have a coffee, sort ourselves out and get across to the airport to check in.

We’re on the second flight out of the airport and while the place is pretty quiet, there’s a huge queue and obligatory delays at check in.

Nevertheless, we get through and security is a breeze.

We change over at Amsterdam Schiphol and we’re in Venice by midday.

It’s quite a different experience travelling with just one piece of checked luggage between us and minimal hand baggage. I could get used to this!

Sun’s shining as we take the water bus – there’s a few stops along the way including Murano island where we plan to go later in the week then we hit San Marco.

Our hotel is just off Piazza San Marco (St Mark’s Square) and although check in’s not ‘til 3pm our room is ready.

Despite a king size, four star rating the room is tiny…still, all we need and we do have the promised canal view from both the room and the en suite.

Having only had snacks since 3am we’re starving and go for a wander along the wee back streets in search of cicchetti – we find some then another place for a sandwich and a coffee before stumbling across (not literally) the Rialto bridge.

We take some snaps with my phone…I left the camera at the hotel for today – plenty time for ‘proper’ pix over the next few days.

It’s starting to get chilly and we’re tired so wander back to our hotel for a nap.

Then it’s time for dinner. We noted a few places we liked the look of while wandering around earlier but find another that looks busy with locals and families. A good sign.

Turns out Osteria del Lovo was a good choice! We share a tomato and burrata salad then Margaret has a steak and yours truly enjoys beef cheeks on polenta.

After almost two years off the bevvy I’m allowing myself to enjoy some wine and we share a bottle of Valpolicela. Delicious.

Strangely the alcohol has zero effect on me. I do enjoy a couple of glasses tho’!

We wander the back streets and find our way back to hotel. A grand first day of holiday…

St Mark’s Basilica at midnight

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