Vignola Piccola

Well the alarm was set for an early morning start! So I thought I had set for 5:30 in the afternoon instead of morning luckily my body clock got me up (phew) although Andrew took a little longer to get out of bed. Watching our ship come into Venice was spectacular. How on earth this great big ship could get through these narrow spaces with space to spare whilst smaller boats crossed its bow blew my mind especially going round the bends. The views were stunning and there was certainly no need to climb the Campanile Di San Marco.
Our journey started by going down the same stretch of water we had just come down only this time on a much smaller boat. It was hot and already alive with tourists. The exploration began. First stop the Bridge of Sighs and then San Marco Piazza before hitting the narrow alley ways. It wasn’t long until we had to stop for ice-cream (chocolate and Tirimasu, Lemon and Chocolate, Biscotti and Tirimasu) combinations were had. This gave us enough time to have a proper espresso in peace! It did look like we had tried to disown our children which funnily enough was not far from a church that took in orphans but had a sign telling parents that they would be damned if they tried to leave there children there. So we did pick them up off the bench although we needed wash Lillian in the local fountain after she had finished her ice-cream. It would seem I forgot to pack the wet wipes.
Whilst we all admired the views (most of us) Maisie played spot the dog! Although seeing a pooch at the front of the boat reminded us of a real-life Gromit.
Well we couldn’t come to Venice and not take the girls on a Gondola. It was so picturesque and an experience not to forget although the lean to the right was a little disconcerting. But we made it on and off without falling in the canal.
We then went to find the restaurant that Andrew booked. Oh my it was gastronomy at its best. Lillian even pushed the boat out (no pun intended) and had a few shrimps with her tomatoe pasta! She also had proper Magnolia cake (aka Trimasu). It was funny people watching (dog watching for Maisie) and how ridiculous we look trying to find our way around Venice. After lunch we had a bit of time to do some shopping, a beautiful mask for Nyah, the blingiest & tat hat for Lillian and a bag of sweet for Moo! Andrew and I enjoyed the wine from lunch. We got back to the meeting point on time, good job too as it was so hot it took all our restraint from jumping in the canal. Although when we got to the cool terminal to board the ship we could have easily plonked ourselves down and not moved but the nagging from Lillian to go swimming was too much to bare so we moved. The afternoon was spent by the pool with the rest of the ship watching the medical team rush to help a poor man who slipped and bang his head (not that Lillian noticed).
The absolute highlight was watching the ship navigate its way out of port whilst the opera singers sang the classics. It was so moving you couldn’t help but get a lump in your throats. Not really appreciated by the girls though. Due to being so stuffed at lunchtime we didn’t need dinner except for Lillian who had all the major food groups (sorry carbs) tomato pasta, rice and chips with lots of tomato sauce to make up her 5 a day. Off she went to kids club to save Superland and we enjoyed the show all about Chaplin.
We called it a night but the girls stayed up to play Who’s Crime is it Anyway? Very funny apparently.
It was a great day and one to remember!Read more