nmchile

Can anyone give me their thoughts on staying in a 1 bedroom apt 5 mts walking from Academia versus staying in a hotel on the Lido (maybe Atlanta Augustus) with a 2 year old? It seems it might be nice to be away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist areas of Venice (and near a beach), but am worried we will be inconvenienced by wanting to see the sights and having to cross the lagoon from the Lido area. We will be staying in Venice for 5 nights in September, so am not sure if we would be able to use the beach for swimming, etc. anyway? Any thoughts?

mamc

There have been several questions about staying on the Lido on this board recently.Maybe you can find some good information by searching under "Lido". We gave stayed there and there is nothing to do except the beach. It is so much nicer to stay in Venice proper where you can easily return to the hotel or apartment when you or your 2 year old is tired. There is no traffic in Venice so not much noise.

Statia

If it were me, I would stay in Venice proper and not deal with having to travel back and forth to Lido every day. You would be amazed what a totally different place Venice becomes in the evenings after the daytrippers have left.

So, I would go with the apartment. It would be more convenient, IMHO.

Weadles

There was another post on this very subject yesterday, so you might want to search for it.

We visited Lido two summers ago with our kids, but they were practically teenagers then. I think since you're traveling with a 2-year-old, you'd be much better off staying in Lido proper. If it's any consolation, the beaches on Lido are pretty, but the water can be quite disgusting at times, depending on pollution, tides, etc.

Good luck!

Weadles

My mistake! I meant to write that you'd be much better off staying in VENICE proper! Sorry about that!

ira

Hi nm,

If this is your first trip, I suggest you stay in Venice. Your child will love feeding the pigeons in Pzza San Marco.

suze

Definitely stay somewhere central! Especially with a small child, I can't imagine being tied to taking a boat across every day to see things. There are quiet areas of Venice, that are close walking distance to the sites, but a bit out of the hussle and bussle (like along the Guidecca canal, I loved Pensione La Calcina on 2 different visits, probably the apt. you mention is this area).

marty

It is also important to know that not all of Venice is hustle and bustle. You can walk one "block" or street away from the crowds and find yourself all alone at any time of day! (Don't think that I mean there are actual blocks in Venice!) With a small child, you may need to return to your room during the day; that would be very hard if you were on Lido.

RufusTFirefly

Sure there are blocks in Venice--it's just that they were designed by Salvador Dali!

Singletail

I have to agree with those who are advising staying off the Lido and "in town" and since your biggest expressed concern seems to be "wanting to see the sights" I think you'll be happier.

"The beach" means a lot of different things to a lot of different people and frankly, the Lido doesn't do much for me and I tend to be a real "beach person." San Marco, early in the morning with the pigeons and at dusk and beyond is pretty magical. And I also agree that once you move away from the epicenters of visitors the city seems much quieter.

Take a trip over to the Lido and I think you'll see what I mean.

nmchile

Thanks for all the good points. Confirms that it makes most sense to me that we stay in Venice. The apartment we are looking at is off Campo Santo Stefano (if anyone knows this area, would love any thoughts). I'll also check out the other posts regarding Lido...thanks!

mitchdesj

I returned last night from Venice, and I did notice that campo de stefano is quaint and reserved, still close to everything...