Day 3 in Sorrento & Train to Venice - 18 September

Today was our last day in Sorrento. We enjoyed our last breakfast at the Hotel Regina, from the restaurant on the 4th floor, sitting on the balcony and looking across at Mount Vesuvius. I don't think I've mentioned the great service at breakfast, the Maitre having Princess cruise experience around New Zealand and Australia. He remembered me every morning and there was always gluten free bread and a small cake for me. The breakfasts have been included at all our hotels, and consist of fruit salad and fresh fruit, yoghurt, cereal, bacon, scrambled egg, sometimes baked beans or sliced sausage or grilled tomato, toast, a variety of hams and sliced cheese, sometimes hard-boiled eggs, cakes and pastries of many different kinds (good job I'm gluten free!), coffee, tea, a variety of juices. There's not much need for lunch after this.

After breakfast we strolled around the old part of Sorrento, filling in time until our transfer with Drive Amalfi at 2:30 pm. Everything was really close to our hotel. We walked down to the old port, which was very picturesque, then up and down the narrow alleyways which had shops beginning to open. Before long it was starting to get crowded with tourists.

We popped into an optician's shop and I asked if they could tighten the screw on one side of my glasses (it was getting a bit loose and I was scared it would come apart). Sure enough, it needed lots of tightening - phew! I bought a couple of scarves, and we had a light lunch, followed by a gelato. This was a special treat for me that David had discovered - a sign advertised Coeliac products, including a cone which they assured me was crisp. We each chose three different flavours, including Limoncello. Very nice!

We headed back to the hotel, and not long after, Raphael arrived to pick us up, half an hour early. There was a bit of a scramble as Jan and Steve weren't back yet, but it all worked out and we were soon on our way to Naples to catch the train to Venice.

The drive was pleasant until we were within a kilometre of the Station, and then we found ourselves stuck in the worst traffic jam I'd ever seen. Buses and cars trying to get into, out of, or around the station. Our driver kept calm, and we did arrive in plenty of time for our train. He helped us in with our bags and checked the correct platform for us.

David and Steve heaved our bags up on the racks above our seats(!!!), and we settled in for the five hour journey, with brief stops along the way in Rome, Florence, Bologne, Padua, and finally Venice at 9:40 pm.

It was an easy 5 minute walk out of the station, and to the Hotel Abbazia (a restored monastery). Our room is tiny and could do with updating, but it's much better than the last Venice hotel we stayed in during our 2009 trip. There is a proper bathroom (not down the hallway) and we can fit both suitcases in, although one is in the relatively spacious bathroom. We are on the second floor and there is no lift, but the stairway is good and there was a porter to help with luggage. There is a lovely courtyard outside our window. Very pleasant!