Carnival Magic Inaugural Cruise, May 1-10, 2011,

Sunday, May 1, Venice, Depart 6pm

We're flying on FF miles Business/First Class (!) through Amsterdam to Venice.

http://www.veniceairport.it/core/index.jsp?language=en

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/vcecy-courtyard-venice-airport/ <- we have reservations here for the night before. A special with free airport transportation, hot buffet breakfast, and included transportation to the cruise ship.

Restaurant at the hotel: http://www.ristorantedamario.net/

ACTV:www.actv.it/en/movinginvenice/movinginvenice

http://www.veniceconnected.com/

http://www.alilaguna.it/index.en.html {24 hour pass 26E, port to city center 13E RT, airport-city center 25E RT, discounts available - there is a discount 72 hour pass with island tour for 45E}
http://www.venicelink.com/index.php?lang=english

Venice Port Info: http://www.vtp.it/risorse/allegati/brochure_navi.pdf

Brochure on Venice: http://www.turismovenezia.it/upload/12/images/PDF/DownloadDepliant/VeneziaterreING.pdf

People Mover in Venice!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH2RbQRbB0c

http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/venice-people-mover.htm

It should be local soft shell crab season!

http://www.ristorantealcovo.com/web/menu/Default.aspx {on Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern}

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/holiday_type/food_and_travel/article5007780.ece

http://traveller.easyjet.com/features/2010/09/soft-shelled-crabs-venice

http://www.gattonero.com/it/

http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/europe/italy/venice/74236/cantinone-gia-schiavi/restaurant-detail.html

Venice From Above: http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2008/09/02/venice-from-above/

Tourism: http://www.turismovenezia.it/eng/

Venice Guide, Map, Tours: http://www.venezia.net/venice-guide/guida.php?lang=ENG

another: http://www.travelplan.it/venice_guide.htm

San Marco Basilica: http://www.basilicasanmarco.it/eng/index.bsm {advance reservations possible}

Venice Map: http://www.italiantourism.com/cosmo/mappecitta/venezia.jpg

Rick Steves' Downloads

http://www.ricksteves.com/news/travelnews/0602/italy_downloads.htm

Webcams: http://www.hoteldanieliview.com/

http://www.hotelgrittipalaceview.com/ (2 web cams here)

http://www.westineuropareginaview.com/

Rialto Bridge Webcam

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St Mark's Square Webcam

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Venice Tides: http://www.myforecast.com/bin/tide_extended.m?city=67449&metric=false&tideLocationID=T2488

http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/acqua-alta.htm

First, a diversion...

Actually Day (-2), April 28, 2011, in Dallas - spending the night here and flying out Friday April 29th, Business Class to Venice! Staying at the Best Western DFW Airport Suites. It's a Best Western, but not bad at all, and the the front desk was friendly and helpful. Supper tonight will be from Subway. The hotel website says it is across the street, but the street turns out to be a freeway! At least there is an underpass so you don't have to dodge freeway traffic, but you do have to watch for regular traffic. Elizabeth won't arrive until around midnight and says she is going to watch the Royal Wedding at some ungodly hour. Well see if she makes it. At least we do have a suite with 2 rooms and 2 TVs! It turns out to be a sort of accessible room, so a huge bathroom to boot.

So where are some pictures, already? Understood...

001: Irving, TX, Best Western DFW Airport Suites

002: Irving, TX, Best Western DFW Airport Suites

003: Irving, TX, Best Western DFW Airport Suites

004: Irving, TX, Best Western DFW Airport Suites

005: Irving, TX, Best Western DFW Airport Suites

006: Irving, TX, Best Western DFW Airport Suites

007: Irving, TX, Best Western DFW Airport Suites

008: Irving, TX, Best Western DFW Airport Suites

009: Irving, TX, Best Western DFW Airport Suites

010: Irving, TX, Too tired and no transport, so walked to Subway. a 12 inch Italian BMT on jalapeño cheese bread, all veggies except cucumber, oil and vinegar. Eat your heart out, Jared! All things considered (including fatigue), pretty tasty, but not sure worth an extra $1.50 or whatever over the $5.00 Spicy Italian. In either case, as the saying goes, "There is no SUBstitute for a New Orleans Poboy!"

010: Irving, TX, Too tired and no transport, so walked to Subway. a 12 inch Italian BMT on jalapeño cheese bread

Oh yeah, new trick! Where am I? I be here!

April 29, 2011 - Day (-1)

010: Irving, TX, DFW Airport - KLM Lounge - Terminal D - Our camp in the corner - it was ok to bring outside food in.

011: Irving, TX, DFW Airport - KLM Lounge - Terminal D -

012: Irving, TX, DFW Airport - KLM Lounge - Terminal D -

013: Irving, TX, DFW Airport - KLM Lounge - Terminal D -

014: Irving, TX, DFW Airport - KLM Lounge - Terminal D -

015: Irving, TX, DFW Airport - KLM Lounge - Terminal D - Refreshment Center

016: Irving, TX, DFW Airport - KLM Lounge - Terminal D - Refreshment Center

017: KLM Flight 670, DFW - AMS, Buisiness Class, Apr 29, 2011, she put all her crap in my sea (not really)

018: KLM Flight 670, DFW - AMS, Apr 29, 2011, KLM's version of Carnival's Door Hanger Card

019: KLM Flight 670, DFW - AMS, Apr 29, 2011, KLM World Business Class, DFW-VCE via AMS

020: KLM Flight 670, DFW - AMS, Apr 29, 2011, KLM World Business Class, Dallas to Amsterdam

021: KLM Flight 670, DFW - AMS, Apr 29, 2011, World Business Class, The Orange Juice was tasty and the nuts were, nuts.

022: KLM Flight 670, DFW - AMS, Apr 29, 2011, Appetizer - Tasty Crab Salad, with a Side Salad and "Iced" Tea

023: KLM Flight 670, DFW - AMS, Apr 29, 2011, World Business Class, Seared Fillet of Beef - Meat was Pretty Tender

024: KLM Flight 670, DFW - AMS, Apr 29, 2011, Cheese Plate and Chocolate Mousse Cake, very good

025: KLM Flight 670, DFW - AMS, Apr 29, 2011, Chocolate Mousse Cake

026: KLM Flight 670, DFW - AMS, Apr 29, 2011, Cheese Plate

027: KLM Flight 670, DFW - AMS, Apr 29, 2011, World Business Class

028: KLM Flight 670, DFW - AMS, Apr 29, 2011, World Business Class, Getting Close to Amsterdam, Granola, Fruit Flavored Yogurt, Fresh Fruit, Apple-Cinnamon French Toast, Cheese, Coffee, Yum!