in Venice... that's the best advice I've ever gotten about this beautiful city... <BR> <BR>I have been back for 3 (three! ouch!) weeks now from my trip to Venice and Florence over New Years... and have started my trip report for everyone's reading pleasure (haha) and I do hope to have it finished soon. (dare I say, maybe this weekend?) <BR> <BR>It's been an exhausting week for me and I am in need of another vacation already... needless to say I have had no time to work on it in over a week. <BR> <BR>I haven't decided on a name but I have been itching to put SOMETHING up here - I just don't have it all done. <BR> <BR>I'll talk about my hotel 'find' in Venice - great budget place and I may be the first person to write about it on this board... also leather and pottery finds and good uses for tape measures (inside joke). <BR> <BR>I have more pictures than you can shake a stick at but the chance of getting them scanned in time for the report are about nil. When I finally get them up I'll leave a different link. <BR> <BR>winter is a great time to go - mid to high fifties (at night a little colder)... I swear one day in Florence hit 60 - I was HOT in my winter coat. <BR> <BR> I had sunny sunny days (one day of fog in Venice - magical) and if the crowds are considered THIN - then I am afraid to go back in the summer (but I will, oh yes I will). <BR> <BR>I had but little wait to get into any museum though so the crowds must have been low... (including the 'biggies' - walked right in to the Accademia to see David - and actually was able to get close enough to peer right up into his nostrils.) <BR> <BR>thanks to everyone for their advice - you'll hear more from me soon enough. <BR> <BR <BR> <BR>Beth <BR> <BR>ps. I saw no flying dinnerware on New Years Eve. drat.

You went to see "David", and you looked at his NOSE!? <BR>

well, OK, what I meant to say was: <BR> <BR>"walked right in to the Accademia to see David - and actually was able to get close enough to peer right up into his, erm, nostrils." <BR> <BR>does that sound better? <BR> <BR>&lt;wink&gt; <BR> <BR>(I try to be modest here - it's a family board, after all) <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Beth, Oooh boy, I am glad you didn't get beaned on the head by flying dishware! AND, I am glad the tape measure came in handy &gt;-&lt;! I am waiting patiently to hear the details on David's errr anatomy(yes, that's the ticket)! Glad you are back in body, but your heart is in Italy, yes? <BR>Judy ;-)

I'm with XXX, <BR>his nose? <BR>I understand what you meant and why you phrased the way you did ! <BR>No matter what you end up calling your post, you are off to a good start here! <BR>I'm still laughing

I am SO glad to see someone else say that! <BR> <BR>I'm a huge advocate of getting lost to see what happens! <BR> <BR>Especially when people who have been to Paris ask, how I can live there when the 'French' are so rude? <BR> <BR>When I inquire further undoubtedly they were by the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. <BR>Tourists love to gather in safety numbers, but if they'd just go two blocks away from the tourist areas... <BR> <BR>Do it! Get lost and see what happens! <BR>Wendy