ITALY 2023 : 9/4/2023 VENICE: Hotel Rialto, Ferrovia train station, FLORENCE-arrive Florence, Palazzo Castri, dinner Cacio e Pepe

One last final breakfast. I have fruit, a plain croissant with cream cheese, juice, a slice of bacon, and a cappuccino. Even though this bacon doesn't look like bacon I have back home I decide to try it. I don't like it. Too fatty and not crisp. Check out is super easy. We have had a good stay at the Hotel Rialto. Staff-especially at reception-have been so welcoming and happy to help with information, directions, etc. I can recommend this hotel. It was clean and in a great location. Despite Richard's misgivings I've decided we will take the vaporetto with our luggage to the Ferrovia Train Station where we will catch our train to Florence. We leave around 9:15 am and arrive at the train station at 9:25 am.

Last breakfast at Hotel Rialto

On the vaporetto to Ferrovia Train Station

Postcard-Venice

Postcard of Venice that I sent to myself

We arrive with no mishaps. It was not that bad. Good thing we have rolling luggage! I can see the Calatrova Bridge and the green dome of the San Simeon Piccolo Church from the train station. There's a ramp where we can wheel our luggage up instead of trying to maneuver it up the stairs. I've pre booked our train tickets through Trenitalia. We are taking the Frecciarossa 9415 to Firenze. S. M. Novella. Train leaves at 11:26 am. We are in coach 6 with seats 15D and 16D. Cost of me & you tickets 57€/$62.77. I have time to look around. Plenty of shops. Places where you can buy food and/or drinks. In one shop I see a Murano glass picture frame I love. I think it will be good for a 4 x 6 picture. Cost 42€/$45.71.

Ferrovia Train Station

San Simeon Piccolo Church

Calatrova Bridge

Ramp for the rolling luggage instead of the stairs

The board for departures only shows the platform around 15 minutes or so before actual departure time. I really don't think that's enough time. We see our platform is #5 and we have to make haste to find our coach, etc. Unfortunately there's not really storage for larger suitcases but Richard manages to squeeze them both behind seats. Our carry on can go in the overhead area. Our seats are 2 of 4. There's a table between the seats. Two young girls are in the seats opposite us. Unfortunately they're eating sandwiches-all kinds of food-and the smell is a bit over powering. I'm beginning to feel slightly nauseous. Thankfully this journey is short and we will arrive in Florence at 1:39 pm. Not much in the way of scenery. Several stops. We arrive on time more or less. Now we have to exit this train station to find a taxi to take us to our hotel.

Our train is the last one #9415 with final destination Rome

Finally board shows Firenze SMN for #9415

Our train is at platform 5

Our train

Finally on our way to Florence!

Longish line for taxis outside the station. It costs 15€ to get to our hotel. We have 6 nights at Palazzo Castri checking in 9/4 and leaving 9/10/2023. Cost 1677.60€/$1802.75. booking.com Breakfast is included in our stay. Check in is a breeze. We're shown the pool, told about daily tea time by the pool, breakfast time, and more. Our room is #320 and the elevator takes us all the way to our floor! Yay! We unpack, settle in.

Firenze SMN Train Station

Taxi line

In our taxi on our way to our hotel

Our taxi

Breakfast room

Our room is 320

Bathroom

Bathroom toiletries

Bathroom-shower

Coffee/tea making supplies

Bedroom area

Forget about any sightseeing that was originally planned. We decide to relax by the pool. We meet some guests from the US-Loni and Gisele. They're very nice and easy to talk to. Tea time is iced tea with a selection of mini sweets. Enjoyable afternoon.

Small pool

Iced tea time

Relaxing

Exercise room

Cacio e Pepe. Reservation is for 8:00 pm. Taxi 13.80€/$15.02. Cute place. Busy. We're seated at a nice table inside as requested. Drinks-beer and wine. Pasta is homemade. Richard orders the tagliolini with porcini mushrooms and truffles. He said the pasta was cooked just right-al dente. I order the pici cacio e pepe-thicker pasta with cheese, pepper, and truffles. It was good but I must be honest and say the pasta was not my favorite. I found it to be way too filling/heavy. Small side salad to share. Cost 49.60€/$53.98.

Pici cacio e pepe al Tartufo-homemade pasta with cheese, pepper, and fresh truffles

Side salad to share

Artisanal tagliolini with porcini mushrooms and fresh truffles

We decide to walk back to our hotel. We pass a square where there's a carousel. Duomo area lit up looks nice. A store selling mini guitars. Too bad it's closed.