ilana25841

My plans for a mother-13yr. old daughter trip to Europe include July 14-17 in Venice this summer. I am being warned that Venice will be so hot, so crowded (its also a festival while we are there), etc. I can give up the hotel reservations in Venice, but our flight home leaves from Venice.
1. Opinions- should I skip the Venice portion?
2. Any other ideas for how to spend the time and still fly out of Venice (I think switching to fly out of say, Milan would be costly- but I will check)We will be coming by train from Switzerland (Berner Oberland).
3. Any thoughts on whether a 13yr. old girl would enjoy Lake Como/Lugano?- what is fun for kids in that area?

I know, lots of questions- thanks for your thoughts.

progol

Personally, I would not give it up! Venice is so special and so unique that it's worth being there, whatever the circumstances. I've been there twice at that time; once it was cool and rainy, and the other time, it was warm and humid, but less so than it would've been at home in NY. No question where I'd rather be!

Although it can get very crowded in the main tourist areas, I found it pretty easy to lose the crowds as you wander the streets throughout Venice. Just make sure that you get out of the crowds, and you'll be fine. Also, trips to the islands of Burano and Torcello are a great way to get out of the crowds, and be by the water.

I don't know where else you are going, but if you're concerned about the time spent, take one day away from Venice and add it to something else...but really, don't skip Venice. I think you will really enjoy it, and I would think your daughter would love it.
Paule

ilana25841

Thanks. I loved Venice as a kid, and as a college kid- but it has been (yikes) more than 20 years...I appreciate the encouragement.

LoveItaly

Hi ilana, I agree with progo's comments.

It seems to me, and I have been to Venice so many times, there is no perfect time weatherwise to be in Venice.

I have been there in spring when there was terrible storms and flooding. I have been there mid September when there was suddenly a downpour of rain and electrical storms. I have been there in summer when the weather was perfect. Tempermental city weatherwise, lol.

Your 13 year old daughter will love Venice I am sure! She is at a perfect age to feel the magic of this beautiful city and old enough that she will always remember being there with her mother..just like you will always remember being there with your daughter.

As progo said, get away from the tourist area (Piazza San Marco, Rialto Bridge etc) during the time the daytrippers are in Venice. Early mornings and evenings are so beautiful.
Do get a map of Venice to give you an idea of the layout of Venice. Best wishes to you and your daughter for a trip that will make lifetime memories!

davispeets

Ilana - Can I ever relate to your impending concerns over Venice!

Aftering reading and researching Venice for our trip to Italy last September, all of those “opinions” had me a nervous wreck - I was so scared it was going to be a miserable experince - since my husband hates crowds. And it was our first Itailian stop!

I was so concerned, I had a back up plan to leave Venice during the days and head out to Padua, Vicenza and Verona.

Well, I did not need to use the back up plan. In the end we LOVED Venice. I wouldn’t miss it – can’t wait to go back.

Absolutley there were masses of crowds – tons of people from cruise ships. But, as already mentioned - it is so easy to lose them – just hit the back streets and wander. Which I learned from this site.

We would only hit San Marco Plaza in the evening. Try to avoid the main drag waterfront at San Marco Plaza during the day. I would suggest making sure your hotel is not in any of the “main” tourist areas. (We stayed in San Polo near the San Stae Stop.) We spent more time wondering around San Polo area and Dorsoduro. We didn’t end up ever going inside the Basicalla because of the lines– but that’s o.k. – some other time. The magic of Venice was the wandering. I had with me the laminated map "Streetwise Venice" and also Mapeasy Venice.

We actually were way more freaked out over the crowds in Florence than Venice. Hope I don’t get slammed for writing this, but we acutally slipped out of Florence two days early to escape - taking an unplanned two night detour to Lucca which was great – sweet town and you can ride bikes around the walls. This is where I learned the benefit of booking a hotel directly – there was no charge to skip out early. I think our issue with Florence may have been a combination of crowds plus noise. Where Venice is so peaceful and quiet because of the lack of cars. Just my opinion and my experience.

Good luck amd have a great time with your daughter!

MissPrism

You'll also find that things quieten down a lot in the evening.
A lot of the crowds will be day trippers and will be gone by about 6pm.
You can stroll around Saint Marks in the evening and listen to the orchestras playing outside all the restaurants.

Marianna

Ilana, we read all the same comments about Venice in July, but we are going - first time and looking forward to it! I remember reading about a festival on the 16th, I think, but I forgot what the celebration was all about. Do you know?

Happy travels to you!

ilana25841

Thanks to all for reassuring me. I was running backup plans in my head!
Marianna- it is the feast of the redeemer- rendetore(?)- celebrating the end of the plague I think. There are fireworks on sat. night, and a bridge of boats (gondollas, maybe) across the canal.

We are staying near San Marco's- but I will heed everyone's suggestion to stay away in the middle of the day.

Has anyone gone to mass on Sunday evening? I read that suggestion somewhere- it sounded nice.

suze

I have been to Venice twice, for 5 days each trip, and both times in July/August. I loved it! Sure it was hot. It was crowded in some places around the main 'attractions', but not in others... that part certainly didn't bother me. And in the evenings things really quieted down.

I would keep your plans, and maybe add more time say taking the boats out to the islands, even going over to the Lido, try exploring and walking in the more outlying neighborhoods.

suze

Don't skip the smaller places not on tourist radar. For instance we visited a very pretty church/cathedral near our hotel on the Dosoduro facing the Guidecca canal.

Statia

Hi Ilana. I concur with everyone else that Venice in July is still very special, even if a bit warmer and a bit more crowded than other times. My first trip was in July and the heat and crowds put no damper on trip whatsoever. The nice thing with Venice is that you can easily get away from the crowds by seeing the smaller and more intimate areas.

I'll be looking forward to hearing all about your trip when you return.

Zydecoqueen

Ilana will the festival still be goingon the 17th? Anyone know what a reasonable rate would be for a 30 minute gondola ride for a family of four?

ilana25841

Zydeco:
here is a link to info on the festival

http://www.comune.venezia.it/turismo...re/en_home.asp

It looks like its on the 15th and 16th.

Thanks evryone for all the encouragement, I'm sticking with the plans, and will plan for out of the way wanderings.

I read in the NYTimes travel section awhile back about the factory where they make the masks- has anyone visited that place?

suze

I'd find out more and participate in some parts of the local festival. For me, those are things I seek out when I travel rather than try to avoid. I've had a few amazing experiences that way.

dfr4848

ilana

I'll just add my vote with other posters that you should seriously consider sticking with Venice. It's simply too unique and interesting to skip if it's already on your schedule. Yes, you could have bad weather, but we've been 3 times (July, August and October) and have fortunately been blessed with perfect weather each time. So you could luck out weather-wise as well. Also, you're not guaranteed good weather somewhere else if you change your mind. As others have said, there are ways to avoid the crowds. I think a 13 yr old (and you) will find it magical.

nessundorma

I agree you should stick to your plan, especially since it is right at the end of your trip. If it turns out the predictions of "you'll all love it despite the heat and crowds" are wrong, I would suggest a breezy vaporetto trip to Burano and Torcello.

audreyleigh99

I completely agree with the other posts - stick with your Venice plans! I almost didn't go to Venice at all because I hate crowded, touristy areas but everyone on this board talked me into going and I was SO glad I did.

We stayed at La Calcina on the Guidecca (sp?) canal in Dorsodoro and it was very peaceful. It is really just the center of Venice - St. Mark's square and surrounding area - that is crazy and crowded, mostly from cruise trip passengers I suspect. But there is TONS to explore in Dorsodoro - cute shops, restaurants, bakerys, and just quiet little paths and canals. If you want to venture into the main areas go for the sights/churches/tours early in the morning and then St. Marks after dinner and you will avoid almost all of the crowds. Good luck and have a fabulous time!

jmdpsca

We were in Venice, last July, for 4 days, which was our 6th trip to Venice, as we love it, We flew from palm springs, ca to milan, and went to Lake Como, then took the train to venice, stayed at our favorite, the DANIELE, as a Starwood, and Westin Owner, we have spent many times there, which I believe to be a 6 star hotel, this was a trip for my 50th birthday, so we boarded the CRYSTAL SERENITY, in Venice, for a Med cruise, and landed in Rome, and stayed for another 6 days, leaving Rome on the 29th of July, ROME being the hotspot, vs North in Venice, was great, it was slowing down, and the Restaurants typically close the last day of July for a month, and reopen in September, Also any trip to Italy, in September, travelers should know that the Hotels, Change over September 30th for the season, all resorts, south on the coast take all docks, and all AC is turned off, and no the Furnaces change over and takes a week, or so to have the change...WE LOVE ITALY,, next year for our 15th anniversary, we are renting a Villa in Sorrento, and in Tuscany with friends...HAVE FUN< AND GO IN JULY..., If you feel you want to stay at LAKE GARDA, Or LAKE COMO< it is an easy train trip, and will be alot COOLER< you can take day trips into Venice, on the Train from there.and any easy train ride from Switzerland, So sorry so winded, You daughter, may find the Lake country a bit boring, it is very romantic, but if she like to fish, or hike, and boat ride, this is the place, at is truly magical..last DO NOT PACK HEAVY TRAVELING ON TRAINS...take what each can carry, and pick up to get on trains, and off, also secure luggage, with you, and take all monies and travel docs, credit cards, in travel sleeves that you may put under your clothes, I travel with our docs and monies with a Swiss Army, pocket over my head under my blouse..you may buy at most luggage stores...Lots of answers I hope, if you want restaurants, let me know

Logan69

Your daughter will also love the ice cream at Nico's on the Zattere, and in the cool of the evening, a cup of rich, bittersweet hot chocolate at Florian in San Marco Piazza.