Summer Vacation - Day 6 (Salzburg)

Yesterday we toured Salzburg including the fortress and cathedral and also the catacombs. The catacombs were fascinating to me as they date back to 600 A.D. where the hermits would repel down the mountain to get to the opening. We went out to Hellbrunn palace where there were trick fountains a bishop had put in to trick his guests and also a beautiful palace there we toured. But the real reason for the visit was the gazebo from the movie "The Sound of Music". By the way, the people of Salzburg do not understand the American passion for the movie memoriabilia. The gazebo door was locked so Jamie couldn't dance and sing around like in the movie, but she loved it none the less. When we walked back to the bus it started to pour down rain, so we grabbed a quick dinner and passed on a concert due to weather. However, we did go to the local laundromat where we washed 2 loads and met several people from all over the world there...tourists doing their laundry too. We played Farkle and had a great time visiting while the wash was being done.
Today we began our drive to Venice fairly early so we could be at the Venice airport by 1pm to meet up with Graig and Nicole. The drive through the Alps was beautiful and fast (love the Autobahn!). Their flight was on time and all went well catching the vaparetto to our hotel. We checked into our bed and breakfast and then walked to a restaurant for dinner. Just as we sat down the winds started to blow, thunder clapped, lightning flashed and heavy rains came down. The rains continued to pour while we ate and by the time we were done it was just raining lightly. Walked to San Marcos square, but Graig and Nicole were so tired from their 26 plus hours of travel that we returned to the hotel. It was just in time as the skies opened up again upon our arrival. Mick, Jamie and I sat out on the hotel's veranda overlooking the Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge, watching the crowds below, the boats on the canal and checked e-mails. The skies cleared to a beautiful night with gondolas back on the canal so the 3 of us took a long walk around the town and enjoyed a gelato. It was our second of the day, having had one after dinner also. Graig did not appear to be all that impressed with his first gelato. However, he sought out many other opportunities to sample the dessert, so I think his reaction might have been a feint.

Graig and Nicole's first impression of Venice was not a great one due to the weather. I don't remember Venice being so run down and the graffiti everywhere on our last visit just 3 years ago.
We missed Janelle on this trip. She brings something special when she travels overseas with us.