This turned out to be a wonderful perfect trip. We went left on a Tuesday evening in August and returned the following Saturday giving us about 10 full days in Europe. It was like 3 separate and very different vacations.

Our flight from JFK direct to Venice was very empty so my wife and 2 teenage kids each got their own row in the airplane. We arrived in Venice on Wednesday morning and took the water taxi direct to our hotel. This is expensive (90 Euros) but the fastest and best way to come into this beautiful city after a night flight from NY. Our hotel which Diana booked for us was a great small very comfortable hotel – Hotel Accademia. It was very well priced (262 Euro for a family suite) and it included a very nice buffet breakfast. The hotel was in a great location near the Accademia bridge and a short walk from the best gelati in Venice. We stayed in Venice for 2 more days, walking and taking the Valperato (water bus which goes up and down the Grand Canal) everywhere. Lunches were mostly panini or pizza and dinners were selected from the book “Chow Venice.”

One morning we also went to Murano to tour the glass factories. If you ask your hotel they will call a glass factory who will send a private boat to come pick you up and take you to the factory – at no charge. They will also get you tickets to take the public boat back – but you have to ask them. On Saturday morning we flew from Venice to Barcelona via Myair.com Diana also booked this for us and the 1 ½ hour flight was fine.

Upon arriving in Barcelona we took a taxi to our hotel. Hotel Colon was in a great location (across from the cathedral) and was a great value. This is a 4 star hotel and we were paying 100 Euros ⁄ night. We got this rate because we booked in April. The regular room rate was 230 Euros. The rooms were very comfortable and the service was very helpful. For 2 ½ days we toured, museums, parks, La Rumbla, the waterfront, etc. by walking and taking the metro (buy a 10 trip pass which is transferable). Meals were mostly sandwiches and tapas. We were too tired to stay up and have dinner at 9:30 and 10 PM when most restaurants serve dinner. On Tuesday morning we rented a car and drove to visit friends in Moirax, France.

Moirax is a 5 hour drive from Barcelona (it’s near Agen – almost exactly between Bordeaux and Toulouse). It a beautiful area with rolling hills, vineyards, fields of sunflowers and 11th century churches. We stayed at a friends Chateau with a swimming pool and tennis court along with a large group of our hosts family friends. Every meal was a simple and delicious with lots of local produce and wine. The perfect ending to a great vacation.