Returning to Venice

September 13, 2024 - from the itinerary: After breakfast, take a private group transfer from Cortina to Venice airport for your homeward-bound flights.

Tonight's accommodation: Crowne Plaza

I tried hot cocoa this morning at breakfast because the coffee was so strong and black. I also had more of that great fruit

We had a sad trip back to the airport, about 2.5 hours, down out of the mountains through windy countryside roads

until we finally got onto the motorway.

Last good-byes were said at the airport and I finally found the Crowne Plaza transport to transfer to the hotel with Sussan. She wanted to spend afternoon/evening with me. I don't particularly like Sussan and said I have tickets and wasn't available. It wasn't a total lie as I was getting train tickets to meet Lisa/Ann/Kim for lunch.

The Crowne Plaza was a nice hotel - it even has a kettle and tea:) - it seemed strange to be by myself.

The hotel was very close to the train station and I was able to get a train to Mestre which is where we were meeting for a last lunch together. Unfortunately, Sussan and 2 other people from our transport van were also on the platform on their way to Venice. Thankfully, I was getting off a stop before them.

Turns out the meeting place - entrance to COIN department store- had some challenges. There were several COIN stores and several entrances to the one I chose. Amazingly I found right spot to meet the girls for lunch and was 5 minutes early. We shared a salad and I had pasta

After lunch was a last gelato indulgence. I entered a gelato haze - lemon and mint - not best combo, but good non-the-less

I said good-bye to Kim who was off on a different flight tomorrow, so I won't be seeing her again until our next trip.

Vena was stranded on her train to Rome for 4+ hours.