Side trip to Chamonix, France and goodbye to our Ski Vacation

Greetings and salutations, We got up on our last morning in Courmayeur and set our sights on accomplishing three trips today. Our first goal, a 1 hour hike into the stone village of Verrand right next door to Courmayeur. After getting directions from our helpful desk clerk Laura, we set off on our first adventure of the day. Hike up the road from the hotel through the forest over a bridge and voila, you will be there. On paper things look so straight forward, in reality we hiked up the road into the forest for about an hour, seemed almost straight up in some sections following a trail until we came upon an old man driving down the road. We asked him in our not too pretty Italian, if we were close to Verrand, to which he shook his head and pointed the complete opposite direction. So back down the road and turned left at the junction instead of the right and we were at Verrand in about 30 minutes. A beautiful mix of a medieval stone village with new condominiums in the mix. Nice side trip and now for our second trip; the Monte Blanc funivie or tram up the side of Mont Blanc. Jumped in our Jennifer Lopez inspired Fiat 500 and sped up to the end of the road in Enteves to ride the tram. The ride consists of 3 separate tram rides up to the summit of Mont Blanc and the Glacier. First tram holds 20 people and up we go dangling by one tiny cable up the mountain. Out at the platform we pile into tram 2 that holds 12 people and up we go with a bunch of skiers to the second level. Out at the next platform and we squeeze into a gondola that holds 8 people and we arrive at the top. We step outside and watch as a group of skiers head out and down the glacier to Chamonix which is on the other side of the mountain. We had a cafe in the snack bar where the Pope visited in 2005 so basically we had coffee with the Pope. We will hopefully see him on his porch at his own crib AKA The Vatican city, next week for Easter. I'm told this is a small gathering of around 50,000 people or so. Nice trip and as always great scenery. The hotel we were staying at had a special pass through the tunnel between Italy and France that would save us 20 euros off of the normal 48euros to go into France. So we are off to the ski village of Chamonix, France. This is a 11.6 kilometer tunnel to France that comes out in the ski village of Chamonix. When we arrive and park we immediately have to make arrangements to come back for a ski vacation in France; incredible! The entire village surrounded by several ski resorts and the view into the mountains from town is of a massive glacier on one side and a couple of ski resorts on the other side. Walked the town and had lunch in Chamonix and then headed back. Mission accomplished, three adventures completed. Tomorrow we leave the Val d' Aoste and drive back to Milan. Up on schedule, checked out of the hotel, and on our way back to Milan central train station. Getting the hang of driving the J'Lo mobile, she's somewhat sassy and a little sexy until a 6 series BMW comes blasting by us at 200 kilometers an hour, now the Sexy J'Lo mobile is just a little car. We both agree that our bitch gps Garmin nuvi really saved our bacon again getting us back to the station with only 2 mistakes on my part. We arrived at the Milan train station and turned in our little J lo mobile, I have separation anxiety from my bellisimo Fiat. Into the station and reserve our seats on the train to Venice And get our final cost for little car; 130 euros for the car and 58 euros to fill it up ; a little expensive but only way to get to mountains easily. On the train and dashing along at up to 200 kilometersan hour we arrive at Venice, St. lucia station and then onto the water taxi for our trip through the Grand Canal and onto the southern island of Lido. We found a 4 star hotel on Lido island just recently renovated and for a lot less than the Venice hotels and a lot fewer people. Had a nice dinner after stRolling through the main street of Lido island. Tomorrow the sights of Venice starting at St. Marks church. 2 days in Veniceand onto Florence. I am able to post pictures on Facebook on Terri's page, but not tonight. Ciao from Bella Venezia, Italian.