Somewhere between validating our ticket in a machine on the station and sitting in our seats on the train, we managed to lose our train ticket. The ticket collector could not be swayed and so we had to buy another ticket and pay a surcharge for purchasing on the train. 75 euros for the ticket plus another 100 euros for the privilege of buying en route. Never mind, we are on our way to Venice.

The Hilton Molino Stucky Venice is a real treat. The hotel is in a beautifully restored flour mill. We managed to get completely lost inside. Even forgot our room number at one stage and had to go back to reception to ask.

We loved Venice. For the next few day we mostly just got lost. We bypassed the queues for the big attractions and simply wondered the streets, pulling out a map occasionally to try and work out where we were.

The obligatory trip to Murano and a glass factory took place on Sue’s birthday, so we are now art collectors. The vases looked so much better together we ‘had’ to buy them both.

From Murano we went on to Burano Island. This was almost better than Venice. Wonderfully colourful buildings with canals and waterside restaurants.