linnea

Please give me your thoughts on staying on the Lido when visiting Venice. (not that I have a choice - that is where the tour hotel is, the Hungaria Palace). I'd rather be central, but it does sound kind of intriguing. Did you find the water travel between the mainland and the Lido to be annoying, or was it fun? I hear it has some nice beaches (though in October I suppose it will be too cold). Is it basically just a strip of land with hotels/shops on it?

kam

The Lido is a strip of land with a beautiful beach and many large and some quite grand hotels. It's much quieter than Venice--many like that. You will most likely leave your hotel in the morning and not return until night so I don't think the vaporetto ride will be too annoying. And, you don't have a choice! The universal complaint about tours seems to be that they hotels they book are not central in any of the cities.

egh

We stayed on the Lido for 3 days and it was truly wonderful (our entire trip was from 5/30 until 6/15). If I recall correctly the Hungarian Palace is a lovely building right in the middle of everything. We were really taken by it when we walked by. FYI, the Lido was "the" place to holiday for Europeans years ago and the entire area reflects that. From what I read, the Lido used to host an international film festival in the 20's and 30's that was the precursor to the Cannes Film Festival. They are trying to revive the festival now.<BR><BR>We took one day out to rent a cabana at the beach and it was truly relaxing but I would doubt the cabanas will be opened in October. <BR><BR>The vaporreto to Venice was no problem-take the number 1.-it goes everywhere and will drop you off right at San Marco square.<BR><BR>One thing about the vaporretti-be aware of the arrows when you look at the signs. We kept getting on them and ending up going the wrong way. email me privately and I'll tell you more if you're interested.<BR><BR>One of the reasons we loved the Lido and it's on our list of places we would like to revist is because it wasn't in Venice but Venice was easy to get to from the Lido (not too big on huge crowds and noise while trying to sleep)<BR><BR>

Carol

We stayed on the Lido for 3 nights at the Hotel Mabapa (highly recommend it) at the beginning of October last year. We didn't know what to expect of the Lido but chose it because we drive while on vacation &amp; on the Lido you can take your car across on the ferry. We had been in Venice twice before but stayed outside the city because of the car. Getting across on the vaporetto is a cinch and we found the Lido to be very charming. We took the bikes from the hotel after breakfast one morning &amp; rode around a few hours so we could really get a good view of the Lido. It was just wonderful; lovely homes, grand hotels, beautiful little canals, nice shopping, plenty of places to eat (Hotel Belvedere down by the vaporetto station has a great restaurant) and the next time we stop in Venice we will definitely stay on the Lido again. The weather in October was beautiful (maybe not for swimming). You will have a great time...I am sure.

chuck

just returned from lido(june 23) -loved it and the boat rides back and forth --charming place , great food and friendly people

ruth

Chuck, where did you stay & did you like it?

chuck

stayed at the hotel helvetia and thoroughly enjoyed it (i was the lead chaperone of 67 high school students) it is about i block from the dock for the vaporettos and had an excellent location-it is a 3 star hotel but very comfortable