Dublin, March 2022

In April 2022 we went on a 2 day travel with the Orient Express. It was a fantastic travel from Amsterdam to Venice through five countries: Holland, Belgium, France, Switzerland and Italy. Before the train ride, we had some days in Holland and finished off visiting Venice. And we teamed up with a new travelling companion: Nikolay.

Click each photo to enlarge

Our tour with the Orient Express ended much too soon, but we were looking forward to our third visit to Venice. This time we would be staying at the Ai Reali not far from the Rialto Bridge.

Ai Reali, Venice, Apr 2022

Roger introduced himself at the reception and received a warm welcome.

Ai Reali, Venice, Apr 2022

We had booket a suite at the Ai Reali. Roger started to introduce Nikolay to life as a member of the travelling bears - not that Nikolay didn't know about travelling. Actually, he was a pro traveller himself - but now he didn't have the job to sort things out for passengers other than himself.
Roger explained about towels for showering.
"Always look out for towels of this size - our humans call them facecloths, but they don't understand. Now, towels don't always come as handy as these with wrapping. I must say, I like Ai Reali's style."

Ai Reali, Venice, Apr 2022

Having been introduced to travelling, Nikolay felt relaxed and opened his fine work suit. Tom and McBear explained how we would normally get around daily.
"Don't let Roger delegate work to you," said Tom, "Roger is an expert!"
Roger was busy unpacking. "Did anybody mention my name?"

Venice, Apr 2022

Once settled in, we went to see Venice, the world City. Ah, it was great seing the gondolas.
"Gosh, I didn't know how much I have missed Venice," Roger said referring to his gondolier suit - and his hat.

Venice, Apr 2022

It was truly great to be back. Venice has so many iconic sights to offer.

Venice, Apr 2022

Everywhere you see busy gondolas in the canals.

Venice, Apr 2022

On our way through Venice, we passed the Ruzzini Palace where we stayed. Roger loved to pose in front of every place we'd visited in past.
"Roger seems very proud," Nikolay said.
"Well...it's only annoying when Roger starts singing O Sole mio," McBear said.
"Or if he starts performing I, Roger!" Tom added.

Murano, Apr 2022

We went to the island Murano to see the glass factories.

Burano, Apr 2022

We also went to the island Burano to see the colourful houses.

Venice, Italy, Apr 2022

Here we are at St. Marc's Square. This is another iconic place to visit.

Venice, Italy, Apr 2022

The last day McBear and Roger discussed the fine gift sets one could buy in the Ai Reali hotel.
"This is a fantastic gift set!" Roger said. "Bears should always come in gift sets like this! I was sitting in my T-shirt on a table, when my human bought me at 1 pound in 1998."
"You mean...should we sell Rogers in gift sets?"
"Rogers... how do you mean... in plural? There's only ONE ROGER and it's ME! But yes, that is a good idea, we should sell box sets with a copy of Roger. I am sure we could add a label with the caption: 'This is a copy of Roger'. We could make a fooortune!"
"We just need to make sure that box sets look like something that brings joy and life. We don't want a box set that looks like a bear lying in a coffín..."