ITALY - NORTHERN
We met Barbara's son Matt at Marco Polo airport (Venice) and vaparetto'd to Ca' Rezzonico and the Hotel Iris. They again had us in the wrong room which required the escalaion  of 2 steep staircases (that's after negotiating 3 bridges). At least the air con worked. We went for a wonderful late dinner including an expensive (€15) litre bottle of Italian merlot!
The next day we assaulted the famous Rialto bridge and on to San Marco, the Tower, the Duomo, Florian's, and  the Bridge of Sighs. Later, we walked to the Rialto again, across, and turned right to the same restaurant as 2 years ago. Nice. I had Spada, awdw a large Italian Breweries beer - a bit cloudy but ok.

The next day, it was down to San Marco by 09:15, and up the Tower, (Matt & I). We were surprised to find there were no steps - just a lift! Fantastic views from the top and a close-up view of the 6 large bells. Then to Burano which proved to be a very colourful place, the buildings all having been painted different colours. We had a nice lunch at a restaurant there before catching a vap back home. via Murano, where we did some more strolling and looked at some glass. Barbara found a place where the little fish nibble your toes!
Later, after bellinis at a local cocktail bar, we dinnered just round the corner. Nice - I had the Menu Turistique! Seafood spaghetti, pork, and Tiramisu awdw Prosecco (only DOC!), then a nice Valpolicello from Verona.

Next day, down to San Marco again. This time we had purchased "skip the queue" tickets online (€3 each) for the duomo, and we were first in the queue (though we had a half hour wait). Some of the jewelled artefacts were amazing, especially the huge one round the back of the altar. Then quite a long but pleasant walk to the Canneregio region - the jewish quarter. This was much quieter than the Rialto/San Marco districts but no less scenic. Then we went to the "best coffee shop in Venice" according to Matt (Trip advisor). Yes, the coffee was qnr and they even served a Flat White (which we noticed belatedly)!
Later we went out for Aperol Spitz's before dinner. We chose a restaurant in the same square where we had breakfasts 2 years ago. QNR, though they didn't have a wine list! I had bruschetta (Matt's scallops looked sensational!) followed by Pappardelle with zucchini and other yummy things. Nice, awdw a rather dubious house red. No headache, though, surprisingly.

Easy drive to Valdobbiadene, arriving Vigneto Vecio mid afternoon. Nice little place, nice rooms, there is a restaurant (but not open Wed or Thur), and they make wines which we can taste! Eliza booked us into the Salis restaurant just down the road. The whole area is quite hilly but rather cute with lots of vines and cantinas everywhere. Choice! Cocktails here tonight, then dinner at Salis (a short walk). Before dinner, Matt and I left Barbara and ventured forth in search of an enigmatic serve yourself Prosecco & food place up the hill. We cut up  through the vines soon reaching a crossroads. One white road seemed best so we took it but the road turned into a footpath which eventually petered out. We went back a bit then struck upwards through the vines again, eventually coming out on to private property which was another winery! But we eventually found the place we were looking for, along with vending machines which dispensed bottles of prosecco (DOCG!) and food! We ate and drank overlooking the valley below, with views of the sea and Barbara! The most amazing aperitifs I've ever had! We got down again in 10 minutes! Then a nice dinner at Salis: I had mushy pea soup followed by rabbit, awdw a bottle of 2014 fruit salad red, fairly local. Matt had Bison (below right)! Then cheescakey thingo. All very nice, I'm sure.

Next day, we drove over to Valdobbiadene - quite a cute little place. Then up the hill behind to an old church with a great view. The church had been badly bomb damaged at the end of the war but had been restored. Then along the "Prosecco Road" to an old mill which was rather impressive - except it wasn't open! Later, we went on a local prosecco tasting "crawl" (walking)! First to Borolin, then to Garbara. these produce about 30,000 bottles per year. QNR - we bought a bottle at each. Dinner at the local pizzeria tonight which was QNR, awdw red wine this time (for a change)!
Off to Conegliano the next morning - and a market. I bought some new sandals, more to keep the peace then anything else! Then back home, and out again to do some Prosecco tasting at Mionetto in Valdobbiadene. We've had this in NZ. It was actually a bit disappointing, though they do produce over 100,000 bottles per year. Dinner "chez nous" at Vigneto Vecio. This was a delicious spit roast, awdw docg extra dry prosecco again, of course!