SD I -July 14, Venice to Athens

[zqvol]

Great!! How many bags are you checking (knowing FT probably none for her:p)?

 

So excited for you both as your are covering parts of the world I hope to see on SD next season (fingers crossed, pixie dust tossed!).

 

 

We checked one each and one carry on :D

 

Now all we have to do is wait for Delta to get to RDU.

[frequent traveler]

Has the trip started if DELTA has already notified you that the flight out of RDU to JFK is going to slightly delayed? First half an hour, now it's down to 20 minutes. With the awful thunderstorms in the area just hope to make it out

 

No yogurt covered pretzels in SkyClub but 3 different kinds of bar mix.

 

As to shopping, I have the best intentions of not needing an extra bag . . . But everything in Turkey is duty free! At least we aren't going to Istanbul and the spice market this trip!

 

Definitely enjoyed having a car service to the airport this trip, especially when the clouds burst for a bit.

 

ft

[DisneyJen]

Has the trip started if DELTA has already notified you that the flight out of RDU to JFK is going to slightly delayed? First half an hour, now it's down to 20 minutes. With the awful thunderstorms in the area just hope to make it out

 

No yogurt covered pretzels in SkyClub but 3 different kinds of bar mix.

 

As to shopping, I have the best intentions of not needing an extra bag . . . But everything in Turkey is duty free! At least we aren't going to Istanbul and the spice market this trip!

 

Definitely enjoyed having a car service to the airport this trip, especially when the clouds burst for a bit.

 

ft

 

Will have to let me know who you used for car service when you get back.

 

See on FB that you have arrived at JFK! Safe travels across the pond!

[frequent traveler]

What a zoo at JFK. After we land while on an active taxiway a passenger goes to the lavatory. So we stop and the flight attendant (after an announcement doesn't work) has to go back and remind the passenger that we can't move

 

In the meantime a guy across the aisle who has scheduled a flight to India with only 90 minutes to connect if everything is on schedule (when at JFK does that happen?) starts worrying about his luggage making the flight and the guy behind us tells him, yes your bags won't make it. Then when asked this so called expert states this is his first time connecting internationally but he "knows" about all the problems!

In terminal 3 don't go to the SkyClub at gate 12. It's old and crowded. The one at 4 is new and light and comfortable

 

With delta's technology have confirmed luggage has been scanned as delivered plane side to our Venice flight.

[DisneyJen]

What a zoo at JFK. After we land while on an active taxiway a passenger goes to the lavatory. So we stop and the flight attendant (after an announcement doesn't work) has to go back and remind the passenger that we can't move

 

In the meantime a guy across the aisle who has scheduled a flight to India with only 90 minutes to connect if everything is on schedule (when at JFK does that happen?) starts worrying about his luggage making the flight and the guy behind us tells him, yes your bags won't make it. Then when asked this so called expert states this is his first time connecting internationally but he "knows" about all the problems!

In terminal 3 don't go to the SkyClub at gate 12. It's old and crowded. The one at 4 is new and light and comfortable

 

With delta's technology have confirmed luggage has been scanned as delivered plane side to our Venice flight.

 

I absolutely HATE flying through JFK (remember I am a Philly girl so there isn't a whole lot about airports in the US that rattles me:eek:).

 

Glad to know your bags are plane side. Did they have yogurt pretzels ... and if so ... what flavor;)

[frequent traveler]

I absolutely HATE flying through JFK (remember I am a Philly girl so there isn't a whole lot about airports in the US that rattles me:eek:).

 

Glad to know your bags are plane side. Did they have yogurt pretzels ... and if so ... what flavor;)

 

No yogurt pretzels in either club. We have arrived at Hotel Danieli and are in the bar enjoying the most expensive Bloody Mary I think I've ever paid for-16 euro!:eek: at least some lovely bar snacks accompanied.

 

Our plane arrived early and it is a glorious sunny day. Escort from airport to water taxi with porter loading and unloading bags each step of the way was worth every euro. Had to wait almost 20 minutes for our water taxi to be able to pull up to hotel steps , it was so congested- no apparent rules but gondolas, taxis, speedboats and cargo all share the same space. Amazed to see a gondolier rowing with one arm and talking on a cell phone in the other.

 

Hotel lobby is gorgeous. Marble floors, chandeliers accented with aqua, rose, and green. We aren't venturing outside until later this afternoon when hopefully the crowds will subside some.

 

FT

[zqvol]

Flight from JFK was easy. Only 7.5 hours, I guess that 150 knot tail wind helped a bit, I checked the screen once and air speed was 700 mph.

[knotheadusc]

Enjoy the beautiful weather and expensive cocktails! Pretty soon, cocktails will be included! :)

[Jim Avery]

Knot is right. Very soon, eggs bennie and a bloody mary and no bill to pay.:D

[DisneyJen]

Flight from JFK was easy. Only 7.5 hours, I guess that 150 knot tail wind helped a bit, I checked the screen once and air speed was 700 mph.

 

Just hope you aren't facing that headwind on the return:eek:

 

Enjoy the beautiful weather and expensive cocktails! Pretty soon, cocktails will be included! :)

 

Exactly!!

 

Knot is right. Very soon, eggs bennie and a bloody mary and no bill to pay.:D

 

So true ... and don't forget the Grand Mimosas:p

[DisneyJen]

No yogurt pretzels in either club. We have arrived at Hotel Danieli and are in the bar enjoying the most expensive Bloody Mary I think I've ever paid for-16 euro!:eek: at least some lovely bar snacks accompanied.

 

Our plane arrived early and it is a glorious sunny day. Escort from airport to water taxi with porter loading and unloading bags each step of the way was worth every euro. Had to wait almost 20 minutes for our water taxi to be able to pull up to hotel steps , it was so congested- no apparent rules but gondolas, taxis, speedboats and cargo all share the same space. Amazed to see a gondolier rowing with one arm and talking on a cell phone in the other.

 

Hotel lobby is gorgeous. Marble floors, chandeliers accented with aqua, rose, and green. We aren't venturing outside until later this afternoon when hopefully the crowds will subside some.

 

FT

 

So glad you area doing all this research for me:D

 

Make sure zqvol takes lots of pictures! DJ's DH and I were watching "The Tourist" the other night and the main characters stayed at the Hotel Danieli.

[frequent traveler]

Hope the main characters got a room and luggage faster than we did. 3 hrs total and we only got a room after I pointed out that many people coming in after us had gotten rooms. Rooms are small - at least in the building closest to the Doges where we are. Appear to have been renovated recently. Magnificent fabric panels over the closest doors. Bathroom is small but luxurious and shower has the ability to make you feel like you are in a waterfall if you like that strong a flow.

Luggage did not show up until I called again after 1 hr in the room - we are about to head out to see what we can see.

[frequent traveler]

Uh oh! I've found a place where I like to jewelry shop. . . Dueling orchestras . . . Pasta al dente ... More to follow.

[zqvol]

Link to a few pictures from today. I have resized them in order to get them to upload, and will add all the full size ones after we return.

 

[CDreamer]

FT: <<I've found a place where I like to jewelry shop..>>

 

See? We KNEW you'd need that extra bag!! ;)

 

<<Dueling orchestras....>>

 

St. Mark's Square, at night? Heavenly!

 

Sorry to hear your initial hotel check in was a pain, but at least it sounds like you're settling in quite nicely now!

[CDreamer]

FT, not sure how much time you have there, but if you decide to go to Murano be aware that a lot of the glass factory "free tours" are often a means to pressure unsuspecting tourists into purchasing overpriced, mass produced glass.

 

If you want to visit a quality glass blowing workshop and see the production of some incredibly beautiful glass, check out Massimiliano Schiavon's factory at: Fondamenta Vetrai 26, 30141, Murano.

 

If interested, ask your hotel to call to confirm their exact location and make sure of their operating hours:

Phone: +39 041 8224116 / +39 041 8224117

 

Or you can go to Massimiliano Schiavon's website (which I'm not sure is OK to post on here :eek:): just type in http://www.hisnameabove dot com and choose the english language option.

[frequent traveler]

A new day in Venice. This one is starting off dark and gloomy. But we are prepared. Brought the Northface waterproof and hope to beat the crowds out. Best part of our wanderings yesterday was getting lost and ending up just out the courtyard of a Venrtian's residence, walled of course but we could see the fountain and the potted plants and flowers. Vivid and multi-colored and just a couple of turns away from the madness.

 

Passed a local fresh produce stand-some of the largest Roma and other types of tomatoes. ZQVOL says his pictures are "overexposed" but I hope these can be posted. Truly did get lost but just followed the people with suitcases until we started seeing signs to San Marco pier again.

 

Some jewels of shops tucked in between the overpriced galleries and the tourist trinkets . In several, artisans were engaged in some form of glass blowing.

 

Hotel provides turn down service. Lovely large bath sheets but no facial wash cloth, absolutely none.

 

Off to find caffeine ( by the way, no irons are permitted in hotel room, which is just fine with me, it's holiday and wrinkles are permitted, heck even when it's not holiday, I don't iron. If Downy wrinkle release doesn't work, then it's meant to stay wrinkled)

[frequent traveler]

No coffee machines in hotel room either. Had breakfast at terrace restaurant. Beautiful view. 39 Euro for the buffet, wonderful parma ham but since we are heading out for trip up the Grand Canal passed on the mimosas that are pour yourself right next to the sparkling water. Something like 9 ships in port today:eek:

 

Btw passed on the single last minute upgrade to a deck 2 commodore suite yesterday. Price seems to have gone up ( or we've gotten more conservative in these financial times) since we did this in 2010. Much as I would love a 2 nd bathroom for 14 nights, wasn't worth the more than $350 USD per night we would have paid. And that was all that was available.

 

Off to Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge and where ever else we can get lost today

 

FT

[Jim Avery]

Getting "lost" in Venice is the best way to find stuff.:D Keep up the good work reporting for us stay at homes.

J.

[knotheadusc]

This is useful reading for me. Next May when we do our next SeaDream cruise, I'm thinking about showing up early in Venice and taking a few days to hit Florence and maybe Pisa on the way to Rome. My husband hasn't seen Venice or Florence yet and the last time I went, I was on the way home from the Peace Corps and BROKE. :p

[DisneyJen]

Great reports FT!

 

Please let zqvol know that I can't get to his photos through the link he posted as it is marked a private page:confused:

 

Had dinner with one of your favorite doctors who makes house calls and his lovely wife last night. Think we might have the convinced to do some SeaDreaming with us once thinks shake out here.

 

Have a great day!

[frequent traveler]

Really irritated with hotel Internet - have "free Internet" due to status, however as I was posting lengthy update, it kicked me off and I lost info on my I Pad. Won't redo right now. Maybe later.

[DisneyJen]

Really irritated with hotel Internet - have "free Internet" due to status, however as I was posting lengthy update, it kicked me off and I lost info on my I Pad. Won't redo right now. Maybe later.

 

Did you bring your laptop? Might be worth writing in Word and then cutting and pasting here. Just saying ....

[zqvol]

Link should be fixed, let me know if not

[DisneyJen]

Link should be fixed, let me know if not

 

Got it!! Thanks:)