DAY 1 & 2: The Advantages of Hoarding and It's OK, You're a Tourist

Words of the day: 
French - Merci (thanks), bonjour (good day)
Italian - Ciao (hello OR good-bye, depending on your mood), mille grazie (thank you very much), prego (you're welcome)

VM:  Hoarding is not always a bad thing. Thanks to JM and I hoarding air miles for the last several years -- via our own travel & via airline-tethered credit cards -- we traveled in style from Fort Lauderdale (the Venice of the USA - HA!) to the REAL Venice. It's hard to look back when you get your own little island that you don't have to share. The excitement of the "lay-down" mini-cabins in Delta's first class even convinced HM it was OK to be touristy and pull out her selfie pole (a giveaway that VM got at a conference). Yep, I told her to wear her Griswolds' badge proudly, there was no mistaking us for locals on this journey.

The guy in the back row didn't seem to mind
that he was traveling with the Griswolds!

A stopover in Paris brought a fun coincidence in the Air France lounge. EM ran into a classmate who was also on her way to Italy with her family for Easter Break. It was certainly an unexpected surprise and an incredible example of the smallness of our big world.

The world is smaller than you think.

And by the way, even the short stop in the Air France lounge made us realize the French just "get" the joy of food better than the rest of us. The complimentary spread included homemade carrot soup and artisanal cheeses. Delta could learn a thing or two. Pretzels and carrot sticks can't compete.

Delta Crown Room could learn a thing or two from Air France.

Our trip to Venice took us over the INCREDIBLE Alps. Not sure if we were seeing French, Swiss or Italian Alps or a combo of all three, but they were stunning and fully snow-covered, we could even make out some ski runs. I don't think I'm intrepid enough to ever ski the Alps but at least I can say I SAW them.

What a 14-year-old teenage girl does the minute she lands after an overnight flight

We arrived in Venice just at sunset.  Beautiful day with mild 60 degree weather.  And I think we will all agree that there is nothing cooler than leaving an airport in a motorboat.  It was just awesome. The 30-minute trip to our rental apartment couldn't have been better, speeding down the Grand Canal right by St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco) directly to our front door where our hostess, Contessa Schio, awaited us.  Best of all, she also had a furry canine host accompanying her, Webby, a Chihuahua mix who showed us all around "his" place.

Best way to arrive in beautiful Venezia!

Piazza San Marco welcomes us to Venice.

Our antique-filled apartment is super cool. It is on the top floor of a three-story building facing a quiet canal. Owned by the Contessa's family for several generations, she lives on the floor below with her daughter.

The Contessa was clearly schooled either in England or in British schools. She speaks with a refined British accent which fondly reminded the girls of their own Nana Donny.

After showing us around our new home away from home, the Contessa also provided a great overview of the area. For our first dinner in Venice she directed us to a neighborhood spot, only a short walk away.  Cantinone Storico did not disappoint. Welcoming hosts, delicious fare and smooth Barolo helped us realize we had really made it to Italy! We are truly blessed.

Girls will have to provide their thoughts tonight. Everyone passed out last night & this morning we're already off to explore.