17 September - morning

The days have sped by – surely a sign of a good time – and the moment to leave our apartment after packing and tidying . . .



board the water taxi and head out for Santa Lucia Station as our ‘neighbourhood’ prepares for a new day.







Enough time to pause at the station cafeteria for a jolt of espresso



and check in for one of the reasons for visiting Venice –



Great anticipation waiting on the station for the signal to board.







all amenities laid on for the next two days, as we travel back to London







Finally, ‘all aboard’!



No seat belts of course, so a quick safety check to ensure we’re ready for any sudden turbulence . . .







while some of us take things a little more sedately . . .



polished wood, gleaming brass-work, and champagne served while we await departure.





Finally, we’re moving, and crossing to the mainland via the causeway in more style than the the local ferry to the airport!



Onto terra firma, and into the farmland, valleys, orchards and vineyards of Northern Italy . . .









A perfect moving, picture taking platform!





Time for morning coffee . . . to sit back, relax and soak in the scenery flashing by.















Every station we pass seems to have it's share of Orient Express admirers



as we progress now through the Dolomite mountains







Tantalizing glimpses of spectacular country speeding by . . .





highway engineering marvels . . .





Then – a stroll through the piano bar



and time for lunch . . . .