The Vacation of a Lifetime… Part 1
“The vacation of a lifetime,“ that’s what my brother-in-law Kevin said about the 10 days my family and I spent together.
On August 16, a jet lagged gaggle of some of the people I love most in this world pulled up in a sleek, low ceilinged (Watch your head!) speedboat alongside the dock at Hotel Splendid in Venice. The porters quickly dispatched a mountain of suitcases and escorted my daughter Cory, her husband Joe, their three kids, my mom and my sister Jane and Kevin and niece Alex onto the deck.
What an emotional reunion! The video chats we have done since I arrived in Italy back in April are a poor alternative to hugs from people you love. So the vacation began with long hugs with my grandchildren Joey (11), Nathan (9), Anna (5 and a half), Cory and Joe, my mom, Jane, Kevin and Alex.
During three days in Venice we hit all the landmarks. We wandered along the narrow, labyrinthine streets (part of the Venetian’s defense as Joe noted- you can’t march an army down a 4 foot wide alley!), feasted and shopped. From atop the Campanile tower we took in vast sweeping views of crowded Venice rooftops surrounded by endless lagoons.
A highlight was the afternoon we were treated to a sumptuous appertivo at Terrazza Aperol, courtesy of Alex’s work on behalf of the Aperol brand. The afternoon offered a rare opportunity to see Alex from a professional perspective. It was easy to see why she excels at her job. We were all so impressed and proud of her!
From Venice we embarked on our own version of “Trains, Planes and Automobiles”! Another sleek speedboat whisked all 9 of us from our hotel dock to the Venice train station. There we boarded a high speed train to Florence. Drivers with two large vans greeted us when we arrived. One van headed directly to Panzano and the other made a stop at Hotel Olmi on the outskirts of Florence to pick up Brandon, Jill, Carter and baby Luca to make our group complete.
Anna had a tough first day but Cory handled it with her usual patience and humor
The Kacergis clan's personal gondola ride
"Italy called and Mom had to go, " so says her tee shirt, a gift from Jane! Nathan, Mom, Anna and Joey outside Hotel Splendid
Joey on top of the Campanile
Venice from above