Venice - Reasons to go/not to go

Oops - Should read: "Part of a trip..."

Please do not even THINK about telling those people who DO live there that they are tourists...the "hardly anyone actually lives there" is absurd and what if they didn't???..it wouldn;t diminish the uniqueness nor the beauty of the place one bit..

My thoughts are you probably need to go to help you break away from those "info" sources you've been using.

We were in Venice for four days last month.

It was our fifth visit and we found it, if anything, even more beautiful and charming than ever.

I think we will never knowiingly make our last trip to Venice.

Byrd

I have been to Venice numerous times and although it is not a fav with me(Rome and Sicily are) I would highly recommend you go if you have not been.It is a beautiful city and I would also recommend taking the water bus out to Burano and even Murano for a different perspective on the island life there.
Yes it is touristy and when the cruise ships are in it is sometimes unbearable but so are alot of other cities!

The fact is, Venice is fast becoming a "relic". Read the comments of Mara Rumiz, Venice Council member. (link below). As Venice exploded in an invasion of foreign tourism, its population has plummeted from 121,000 in mid-sixties to approximately 27,000 today. The future of Venice is a tourist destination, with great history; but not as a vibrant, growing, contemporary Italian society.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/aug/26/italy.travelnews

If you search this forum, you will find dozens or hundreds of posts by us Venice lovers. It's just a unique and uniquely beautiful place. My favorite urban place in the world.

There are, around the world, a number of cities and towns which were important trading and/or governmental centers. But then the tide of history receded or went elsewhere, leaving these towns preserved as they were in their prime. I seek out these places because they're a porthole into the past, living history. Venice is one of these.

So I don't understand why the fact that Venice's main industry is now tourism should put anybody off. There's a reason why all those tourists go there.

Also it's important to stay in Venice proper, not on the mainland or at the Lido, to get a real feel for the place. It's so nice not to have cars.

A friend works for this organization

http://tinyurl.com/5p4awh

which is in an ongoing effort to save and restore many of Venice's historic architectural treasures.

I also have a close friend who is Venetian and concurs with the view that:

Venice spends much more to support and encourage the tourism industry and foreign owned tourist businesses than it does on an infrastructure to help it's native citizens, with the inevitable result that the populace is, over time, moving away to places where they can hope to have a decent quality of life, something no longer available inside Venice proper.

Yes, it is a tourist destination, and as such, well worth the visit you are thinking about.

I seem to recall reading that many of the residents are retired (must be a nice place to retire) and from personal experience, almost everyone we saw when we were there were also tourists, but that's because it's small, and it was August, so it would be the same in any city or the centre of that city in my opinion.

I think you have to go and see it. It's a wonderful place and has some amazing sights to see. OK, maybe not as "Italian" as Rome, but don't let that put you off - you're going for e novelty factor, not to visit Italy.

Byrd, <I think we will never knowingly make our last trip to Venice.>

Well said. I couldn't agree more.

Venice is one of those places that for the most generates fans at the extremes. there are those of us that love her and can't get enough and the ones that hate her. There a few folks in the middle but most are on either end of the spectrum.

I gave up trying to win the haters over a long time ago. You can't know which camp you belong to until you go. So go.

Give her a fair chance though. Stay overnight in the city, stay long enough to get away from the main tourist sites and wander the back alleys.

I can't see the relevance of the number of permanent Venice residents.

How many people live full time in Yosemite? Or under the sea at the Barrier Reef? Or in Angkor Wat? Do you really go to the Grand Canyon to hear the whingeing of its Native American population?

Venice is simply stunningly beautiful. It'd be a bit more interesting if people were trading argosy futures on the Rialto and not just flogging trinkets. But, even without money-lenders claiming pounds of flesh, nowhere on earth can compare.

PS The problem with the tourists isn't that they're tourists (after all, so are you), but that there are so many of them at any one moment.

So search out when the crowds are thinnest. Don't worry about weather: the wetter and colder the more atmospheric.

BCNDave,
I was there in October, rather than August, and there were still drives of tourists.

Venetian couples with children of school age need to be located in places where they can have the social, health, and educational services for their kids. As for people of retirement age, I saw one story in a documentary about Venice about a Venetian man whose mom lived in an apartment in the center but who could not afford to move and was having terrible problems getting decent health care services. This man was a native Venetian with a fruit and vegetable stand who was almost unable to stay in business as a result of all the high-end foreign owned businesses that had come on and taken over most of the piazza where he was located.

kenav,

I was in Venice for the first time this past May. Before I left, I read all the different opinions of the city, good and bad, and decided to see for myself. Put me on the side of the Venice lovers. I can't wait for a return trip. It truly is one of the most unique, beautiful cities I have ever been.

You don't say in your post what time of year you will be going, but that will make a huge difference. I was there the first week of May, and it was perfect. The weather was cool, and the crowds weren't bad yet. I wouldn't want to be there in summer.

Don't go for just a day trip, stay a few days. Wander around and get lost. I think you will come back a Venice lover, too.

Johanna

Go.

Go because it is unique - there is nothing quite like it. It is beautiful

As others have stated, stay in Venice. Set your alarm for early, and wander about at 6am - you will have the place almost to youself and you will see just how beautiful everything is. Fog and Acqua Alta - they just add to the experience.

" OK, maybe not as "Italian" as Rome"

I am glad I am not the only one who feels this way.

> I was there in October, rather than August, and there were still drives of tourists.

Worth going there in the dead of winter (Nov - Feb, except carnival time). Much less tourists (still there are enough of them), much more atmospheric as FlannerUK says. And weather-wise, you never know. Out of my 10 visits to Venice in last 5 years, half of it was in mid winter, and many of those days I had glorius sunny days (otherwise foggy very atmospheric times). X'mas 2006, all 5 days I was there was with bright sun shine.

I know people have been moving out but there also are schools for young kids and university faculties that somehow not that obvious to find so it's not like Venice is a dead city either.

How do you define "Italian"?
"Italy" is a fairly young country where the regions are very different and of course have their own dialects.

Define Italian? Gut feeling

Seriously, the attitude of the Italian residents of Venice seemed far more "City first, country a distant second" than anywhere else I have been - far more so than e.g Siena (which is passionate about its history), Sicily, Rome or Naples.

Possibly it's the old thing about having an Empire that the British are often accused of.

Possibly it's the old thing about having an Empire that the British are often accused of.

Yes, "Once did she hold the gorgeous East in fee" and all that.
However Rome did have a tiny little empire of its own.
It often amuses me that some people seem to think that Britain was the only European country with an Empire.
Why do you think for example that French and Spanish are so widely spoken throughout the world?

There is certainly no other place like it on Earth, that should be sufficient.

As has been stated ...there is NO where on earth like it...reason enough to go there. To emerse yourself with the history of this former great Republic is fascinating. The Venetican Republic and to see, hear and touch all the sites of this former great republic is worth it.
Venezia is fantastic just to get on the Vap and ride the Grande Canal to one end ...get off...and aimless wander back through the many hidden streets bridges and the number of open green spaces and gardens will amaze you! Yes its expensive....yes it can be touristy....but to see the Doges Palace......take a sip of coffee on St Marks.. to experience all that this unique place has to offer is truly a blessing. GO GO GO!

We avoided Venice for five trips to Italy,,,,finally went for a couple of days last year and loved it. It was in April, but we want to return sometime....perhaps in the winter (January).

It is truly unique and beautiful..nothing like it and a place everyone must see in their lifetime. Right now my husband and I have walking issues and are use to driving "Right up to where we want to go"! ....which puts a damper on a Venice trip.

Venice IS a lovely city,,,,but I still wouldn't put it anywhere near the top of my list of favorite places. Too many other very interesting places.....but I would qualify that with a "to each his own" and "it's a personal choice".(and I hope others will be tolerent of this feeling)

I didn't think I would really like it, too touristy, etc. but friends were going who love it and we met them there with their childen. We loved it. It was Easter and quite crowded but still fabulous. You will get the most out of a trip to Venice by reading a lot before hand. The history is fascinating but maybe not all that obvious to a tourist. And the modern "dilemma" as a highly touristed city is also something to analyze and consider yourself. I highly recommend the following books:

City of Falling Angels (John Berendt)

Venice from the Ground Up (James H.S. McGregor)

Francesco's Venice (Francesco da Mosto. This is a companion book to a BBC series which is available on DVD and fabulous but playable only in European DVD players or maybe your computer not a regular US DVD player. It won't appear on www.amazon.com but I got mine when I was living in London through www.amazon.co.uk)

Venice has a very unique place in history, art and music which is more than "just" Italian history, art and music.

I agree 100% about waking up at the crack of dawn and wandering Venice in the early morning as the city is waking up- those hours have a special magical quality of their own.

Wow! Put this thread in before I left this AM, and it's mid-afternoon and already great responses.

What would weather be like (temperature wise) in April or September/October? I hate hot and humid.

Can I take a train from MIlan?

mari5 - What cities/places did you like better than Venice?

Funny that I came across this thread, as we were just talking about venice the other night. DH and I fell in love with venice and were saying we were wondering if, should we go back, it wouldn't be so magical. My brother, who has been 3 times, is planning his next trip and urged us to go again. our friends, who went but only for one night (against our advice- we told them to stay longer) wished they had been there longer. We all agreed that getting lost in venice can be an amazing thing.

I love venice- truly a one of a kind, magical city.

I first went to Venice on a student tour in 1968 (oops, does that date me?). It was one of the most historic and beautiful cities of the many on that trip that did not disappoint. In the years since, I'm sorry to say that I have only been back 3 times. The city has become more crowded and very expensive, but is still not to be missed. It has a great merchant tradition, so shopkeepers are hospitable and many quality goods are available. Food is good. Most of all, as others here have said, the city is unique. You don't need to spend long there to get the flavor, but do not miss it.

I have been to Venice twice and loved it. Yes people live there. No it is not only a tourist destination. Why I would go? It is absolutely and completely like nowhere else I've ever been before.

We were in Venice in September for the first time - like you, we had heard all the negative comments so were a little concerned. We absolutely loved it - yes, there were lots of other tourists but it was easy to escape them by walking a few blocks - there were lots of areas where "real people" were living their lives - one evening we sat in the bleachers in a campo and watched a volleyball game along with parents and other supporters - at one point the ball almost rolled into the canal! Venice is beautiful and unique - please don't miss it!

Venice is just magical. I like the touristy areas like St. Mark's Square, but I also like wandering far from the square (and the challenge of finding your way back). Take the regular water taxis all over, forget about the gondola, and just get to know the place. It's fabulous.

As most of the Venice promoters have stated here, "it is the history, buildings magic of early morning", etc. etc. So the "relic" status is appropriate. Maybe in the not too distant future Silvio Berlusconi's government will work a deal to privatize Venice and sell it to Disney Corp. to manage so Venice can keep its "Magic" and the few remaining residents can be put on the payroll as props. At least then there will be better efforts at restoration and preservation.......Just a thought.

I have nothing against Venezia; I admire the history and past culture, but I am more of a contemporary culture hound....Show me a local hardware store in Sulmona, (Abruzzo), and I will be able to get a feel for the outlook and direction of the local culture.

No better place to be 'lost' on the planet, & you will get lost, for real.

I had lunch on Friday with two people that hated Venice and don't want to go back.

They don't like to walk and wander, and seek out hidden corners.

The hate public transportation and never use it, anywhere.

They weren't interested in learning the water transportation system and really can't walk very far.

They dont particularly like churches and museums.

One of them said, "I never want to see San Marco Square again in my life."

They would be telling you not to go.

DH and I love Venice and after 3 or 4 trips rented an apartment there for a week a year ago.

We like art and went for the Biennale. We loved it and hope we can attend again some day. We had a transport pass and enjoyed learning how to master the system.

Venice isn't like any place in the world, which includes the rest of Italy. If you are looking for a purely Italian experience, whatever that might be, I'm not sure if Venice will answer. I would have to say that Venice is a purely Venetian experience.

I think you should decide based on the information you gather. Only you know what you would enjoy.

I agree with the folks saying there is no place like it on earth. It is unique in the truest sense of that word.

I've learned after a lifetime of travel that there's a reason why certain places are called "tourist destinations".

So that, alone, is on the "plus" side, at least for me.

On our first trip to Venice, we arrived at the train station around sunset and took the Vapretto to our station. Just imagine, September, sunset on the water, holding my then 13 month old child, I actually got teary-eyed, it was that beautiful.

To think that one day it might be partially under water gives one all the more reason to go now.

Aside from all the plusses, such as beauty, history, gondolas, churches, museums, getting lost, wandering, they have some really, really good pizza.

Minuses: really big rats!

AS far as we are concerned, there are no reasons to not go to Venice. It is magical and unlike Florence, only ver crowded in the area between the Piazza San Marco and the Rialto Bridge. We suggest--going to the Piazza San Marco early in the morning or in the evening. Stop by at Cafe Florian for hot chocolate and a croissant--it will be expensive and memorable. Go to mass at 9 Sunday morning to see mosaics without the other kind of masses. The Zattere is a lovely walk that Venetians take.We prefer to stay in the Dorsoduro--a bit away from the crowded San Marco area but close enough to get here easily. Other special places--Torcello, a lunch on the Giudecca, Santa Maria dei Miracoli.
Buon Viaggio.

Just go.

kenav, to answer your second set of questions, yes, you can take a train to Venice from Milan, takes about 3 hours and requires no changes. See rail.ch (the Swiss Rail site, but IMO easier to use than the Italian rail site). You want Santa Lucia train station, which is the last stop in Venice, not Venice Mestre, which is on the mainland. You can also fly, but no question that the train is easier and should be faster overall. (You might want to look into flying out of Venice to your home city or other destination if outside of northern Italy, however).

For weather in the months you are considering, see weatherbase.com for temps. As Venice is IN the water, you have some dampness all the time. The fall months may be better as it will have had the summer to dry out (they get a fair bit of rain in the winter, esp November), but then there may be more tourists. For April, watch for dates for Easter as you may not want to be there then. I would probably favour late Sept or early October if you could, temps will be nice, but not cold (could get that in April still, esp early April), less chance of being damp, or feeling damp (i.e. chill dampness).

I am definitely a Venice fan, but agree that San Marco square can be a total zoo; however, there are many other charming places to see besides that and you can avoid crowds for the most part if you want to. Their museums and church art alone might justify the trip even if it didn’t have that special magic that it has (at least for me and it seems many others). You might consider renting an apartment (or staying in a hotel) outside the main tourist zone to get more a feel for the local population.

We love Venice and have been for a week, 3 out of the last 4 years. I also never want to see San Marco Square again in my life and didn't see it at all during this year's trip. These statements are not incompatible.

I can see that people who can't/won't walk or take public transport wouldn't get on very well with it, but surely that's the case with any city ? (Any European city, anyway.)

Francesco da Mosta (whose day job is as an architect) has small children. There is a children's school very close to the Accademia.

Francesco da Mosta (whose day job is as an architect) has small children

The last time I was in Venice, he flashed past me with a mobile phone clamped to his ear.
We have also visited Venice several times, admittedly not during the high season.
St. Marks id fine if you visit early in the morning or when the day visitors have departed.
We find that once you are clear of St. Marks and Rialto the crowds thin out considerably.

Minuses: really big rats!

I haven't seen any of those, but possibly this character
http://sylvia.photoblog.me.uk/p15472780.html

and his friends owe their prosperous appearance to them.

Any recommendations for hotels that would be under 200 U.S., and easy walking/vapporetto to center of Venice? With an elevator?

What about staying outside of Venice, e.g., Padua? - and traveling into Venice. Better deals?

(I'm from NYC and so am used to public transportation, and lots of walking. No problems for me there.)

We spent six nights in Venice in April, and absolutely loved it! We kept cancelling our touring plans so we'd have more time to just walk around.

Look at www.tripadvisor.com for the latest reviews on hotels in Venice. Venice is not very large and all Venice is the center as far as I'm concerned -- though maybe I wouldn't recommend staying on the Giudecca for a first visit. Being away from the Piazza San Marco and the Rialto is a plus, not a minus.

But, to reiterate, it's important to pay a little extra to be in real Venice, not make daytrips in. To really enjoy this unique place, you must dwell in it. Not in Padua or Mestre or the Lido. Otherwise, you're cheating yourself.

kenev,

Please don't stay outside of Venice.

You shouldn't have any problem finding a nice hotel that fits your budget. Just search here for "Venice hotels."

I can recommend these (rates will depend on when you are there).
All these hotels have elevators.

Byrd


Hotel Diana
http://www.hoteldianavenice.com/

Hotel Bellini
http://boscolobellini.hotelinvenice.com/rates.html?source=googleh-hotel+bellini+venice

Hotel Ca dei Conti
http://www.cadeiconti.com/en/

We stayed at the Hotel Abbazia near the station and really liked it. It had excellent reviews on Tripadvisor and the staff were very friendly and helpful with a great sense of humour. I think we paid 170 euros which included an excellent breakfast with delicious coffee.

Definitely go to Venice. I have been twice, in March and in April, and can't wait to return. On both occasions the weather was cool and, for the most part, sunny. Piazza San Marco only flooded once, and it was at night.

My experience was probably enhanced by the fact that on both visits I was in a hotel only 2-3 minutes from Piazza San Marco, but as long as you are in Venice proper and are able to wonder about near dawn and dusk, you should enjoy it.

As for the comments that it is touristy, many, if not most of the places discussed on this board are touristy. As a tourist myself, I can't see that as a valid objection. I just got back from Prague, and I experienced far more crowds in the Prague Castle/St. Vitus Cathedral/Golden Lane areas and in Charles Street and Charles Bridge than I did in Venice. Some places are crowded for a reason -- they are worth seeing. And, if you want to see them, you just have to allow for the crowds.

However, there are less-frequented gems where you can get away from the crowds. My favorite so far in Venice is the church of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. It holds beautiful painting by Titian and Bellini as well as the tomb of Antonio Canova.

I love Venice. I've been half a dozen or so times, at various times of the year, and never for less than a week. I still have a long list of places I want to see. It is endlessly fascinating, and I would agree with just about all the comments, both favourable and unfavourable. One thing I'd really like to comment on: "Get lost in Venice". This is a cliche, and, like most cliches, there is a lot of truth in it. But don't take it too literally. You could end up wandering round and round a really dull part of Venice (there are a few). I would recommend that you get some really good itineraries and try your best to follow them. There are some good ones on www.venessia.com, or try to get J G Links' 'Venice for Pleasure' - the best guide book to any city. You will still get lost, but at least you'll be able to find your way to the next goal if you ask somebody.

Delaine - About my "touristy" comment - yes, that's why we haven't gone to Prague. At least if we ever do, it will probably be in the winter/spring. I know, still many many people, but less so?

I live in NYC and we have thousands of tourists. We're happy about it - good $ into the city. And, so glad so many people wnat to visit my home town. But, I've noticed that the summer is teaming with tourists (around Christmas time too), and I would recommend anyone coming to NY not to come at that time Also, because it can be damn hot!

There are no reasons NOT to go!

The first time we went to Venice on a trip to Italy, I had heard so much about "dirty, smelly, etc". So I wasn't expecting much, and not really looking forward to it.

I was completely in awe from the moment we exited the train station. My jaw just hung open. "Magical" is the only word I can use for it. I just kept thinking, "How did anyone ever conceive of a city like this?" I am in love with it, and we have been back 3 times.

Last May, my sister and her husband joined us in a trip to Italy-----their first. I was so excited that we got to be present when they first experienced Venice. Needless to say, it was a wonderful time.

I would go back anytime, at the drop of a hat. Every time we have seen more of the city, and had different experiences.

The only thing I would warn people against is "don't over-schedule your time". Serendipity is the key. Play it by ear, explore on your own, ride the vaporettos, etc.

The only "must-do's" on our list would be the Secret Itinerary tour and late-night cocktails outdoors at Cafe Florian, listening to the orchestra under the stars. It is like being in a dream.

Our favorite memories, though, are of a "off the beaten track" osteria on Murano, where everyone else in the place was a glass factory worker. The owner just kept bringing us things "to try.......if you no like, you no pay......" Of course, we loved it all, and it was so much fun.

And of walking back to our hotel late one late, crossing a canal, and hearing a Vivaldi concert. We sat on a small bridge, just listening.........you can't plan for moments like that, and they are our favorite memories.

Go. Go. Go. That's all I can say..........

Reasons not to go??? I can't think of any.... reasons to go? Because it's VENICE!

I don't sing, "I've left my heart in San Francisco" I sing, "I've left my heart in Venezia"

if you're interested in seeing pictures of my 9 day trip last year, here's my website

http://www.lynnsview.com/Gallery/

Hi kenav,

Venice is magical, and unique. It's something that creates wonder like the Taj Mahal. Right, there are a lot of others there marveling, but stay in a place not at St. Mark's Square, wander early morning, or off season, and eat in the wine shops that serve up a few dishes of delicious Venetian food which is not as pricy as restaurants. Prosecco on tap, that's great! 25 years of trips to Venice and each "wonder" full. Take a look at the entries about Venice on our website and see some unusual entries.
Enjoy, enjoy.

Can anyone tell me how the weather would be in April (mid-end) or May?

Go to Venice! My sister and I went for 3 days, in September, following a Croatian coast trip. It was the icing on the cake. The unique experience of a city without cars and the fabulous architecture were unbeatable. We enjoyed a tour, "Skip the Line-Venice in a Day", especially the boat tour part.
Also recommend a trip to Burano island. Venice after dark is magical, so people who do it as a day trip really miss out.

I loved Venice. It is absolutely beautiful!

Do not even THINK about not going. GO! I had visited Venice once many years ago as part of a group and left with a negative impression. My husband and I visited there in October 2007 and I was bowled over! Completely! We were on our own, so walked and walked. Went to the top of the Campanile for the most breathtaking views this side of the Empire State Bldg. I never thought to find a city that I could love more than Paris -- but this one is close! Definitely visit the Doges' Palace and Murano. The Peggy Guggenheim Museum is charming -- as is the neighborhood in which it is located. By all means go to San Marco, but also wander around the Jewish Ghetto in Cannareggio. Enjoy!

Addition to my last post: One of the earlier posts mentioned some books to read. I would add: any or all of the Donna Leon mysteries featuring Police Commissioner Guido Brunetti, who's "beat" is Venice. The description of the city is in depth and the author's love of it, as expressed by the main character, his colleagues, family, and friends -- all Venetian citizens -- is obvious.

As the kids say, OMG, you cannot miss Venice. While the rest of Italy has incredible art and history, Venice is just incredible and happens to be in Italy (and also has some art and history worth noting). Go. And take the ferry out to Burano for a half day.

In 2004, the population of historic Venice was 64,000. I doubt it's plummetted 40,000 in 4 years--probably around 60,000 this year. I'm not sure why people who work in the tourist trade would not be counted as residents as the article implies.

But, yes, its prime industry is tourism.

Keep in mind that, given its area, Venice never was a huge city in population--estimated at its peak around 150,000 to 175,000 depending on who is making the estimate. And, even at its peak, the population of transients (traders, merchants, sailors, etc.) and the curious outnumbered the residents.

Get a few blocks away from the sights around the Grand Canal and "Daytrippers' Alley," and you find that much of the city is minimally impacted by tourism.

I went to Venice with my 15 year old son a few years ago and I still go back there in my mind whenever I want to go to the most beautiful city in the world. My uncle, who had a summer place at Lago Garda said I shouldn't bother with Venice but I am soooo glad I didn't take his advice. It is like entering a stage set for your own private drama. My son has a mild disablility and the people could not have been kinder and welcoming. They told us about wonderful cafeteria style restaurants that the 'locals' use which were alot cheaper. Don't forget to get off the beaten track after you have seen the main sights. I crossed the Rialto on a Sunday and walked around and just wanted to move there. It was quiet, charming but had the richness only a very old city with lots of history can have. The only negatives were taking a boat tour which included Murano where they only let us into the back of a glass factory (no street exit)with high pressure salesmen and I didn't get to see the rest of that island. I felt cheated but Burano made up for it. Also, since I came in by train and my son couldn't carry his suitcase any distance it was a bit costly to get to our hotel since the water bus didn't go that far.I felt perfectly safe letting my son explore on his own though and meeting up later and after having been on a 'self guided grand tour' of Europe together we needed some time apart. He absolutely loved it too being a bit of a thespian it inspired him. Now whenever a movie is set in Venice, I go just to see the backdrops. I would love to go again but I have so many other places still to see. Enjoy!

Absolutely! Venice is a unique, charming place. I've been there twice, the last time was March of this year. The museums, churches, and Ducal Palace are wonderful! We even had fun getting lost in the maze that is Venice. I did not care for the food though. I have eaten at cheap and expensive restaurants there and was disappointed. If you go to Florence first, you will see what I mean. Maybe you can ask the locals what restaurants they prefer. The gelato is always wonderful though! We rented an apartment with a kitchen. We find that it's usually cheaper than a hotel.

Please, go to Venice!!! We went two years ago and regret that it wasn't a longer trip - We stayed at the Hotel Dalla Mora - inexpensive, clean, friendly, and right on a small canal - absolutely marvelous! Enjoy!!!

I had the good fortune to live 30 kilometers from Venice back in the 70's and have over the years gone there by private vehicle, train and plane. All three aproaches to the city have their pros and cons. Driving across the causeway and into the parking structure probably has more cons than pros though because of the expense of parking and traffic concerns approaching Venice. Locals living in Veneto will often drive to a quiet train station like Camisano and leave their car there and take the train into Venice saving a lot of money and trouble. The water taxi from the airport also provides an easy entre' to Europes parlour room. The time of year you go to Venice also has its pros and cons. The place has its own magic when the freezing fogs and the high water comes in just as it does on a sunny day in spring. Yes, it is a tourist destination, but if you look at the history of the city state of Venice it has always been a tourist destination, and I was pleased to find a mention of Burano toward the end of the thread. Think of Venice as only one of the Islands of the lagoon and you can escape the throngs of tourist quite easily. Spending the night or nights in Venice can be expensive, but, especially for a first time visitor is an important part of getting to know the city. If you want to stay a short train ride away in a spa suburb of one of Europe's more interesting cities consider Abano Terme at the foot of the Colle Eugani with its olympic size swimming pools heated with hot steamy geothermal waters.

Veronese tutti matti, Vicentini mange gatti, Padovani grand dottore, Veneziani grand signori.

You definitely should go if you haven't been before. We love Venice as a short 1-2 day stop. Prefers Siena and other small Tuscan towns but Venice is a great place to check out. We were there once in August and once at the end of November. We much preferred our November trip. Less crowd. We went to the Jewish ghetto,wandered around the local markets, took the water bus to venture beyond the town center. It was great. My little kids loved it too.

1st reason to go to Venice:
It's magical.

2nd reason to go to Venice:
It's nothing like Venice in Las Vegas.

3rd reason to go to Venice:
La Zucca restaurant.

Like poster Leburta,I first went to Venice in 1968 on a student trip and was fascinated with it. I returned
in May 2007 with DH and was disappointed in the city. Like other
posters pointed out, the city is so
packed with tourists that I felt that
I was only seeing the back of the person in front of my. Visitors are pouring off the cruise ships by the thousands and overwhelming the city.

I also found the food to be rather pedestrian and high-priced, the wait staff is rude;in addition several places on the tourist ticket were closed to tourists because of a strike by museum workers when we were there.

Since you have never been, I would
recommend a visit for two nights, maybe three, but be prepared.

I will never go again.

Pat

Wow Pat, sounds really disappointing for you.

You went in May - Do you think April would be any better (tourist numbers)?
Do cruise ships stop in Venice all year long?

Just when I'm reading all these incredible - "go to Venice now" - types of posts, Pat's makes me think twice.

I was thinking of going to Venice and then up to the Dolomites and Bolzano. May be initially coming from Croatia, but not sure how I'd do that.

Thanks for your post, Pat. I thought I was the only one.

We just returned last week from a trip that included our third visit to Venice over 12 years (always in late October). We were fascinated on the first trip, less fascinated on the second trip, and pretty disappointed on this third trip.

Before the second trip, the city had built a cruise terminal that we felt really added large numbers of day-trippers. On this last trip, we noticed they're building another, larger cruise terminal. The city is going to sink from all those tourists.

The vaporetto fares have gone way up which is OK when you consider fuel costs, etc., but they were so crowded we ended up avoiding them whenever possible.

We also noticed a real deterioration in service attitude at restaurants and a big jump in prices that wasn't entirely due to the weak dollar. However, we did think the quality of restaurant fare had improved over the years.

Venice is a place you really need to see, but my husband and I decided we'd rather remember it as it was, so we probably won't return either.

Venice? Go! We were there for little over a week a year ago this past January. (This past January we were in Rome for about the same time and this coming January we plan to be in Florence for 10 nights.) We have also had the opportunity to travel twice in the past two years through Portugal and Spain. All that said, Venice in the winter was wonderful. The fog over the canals in the morning and the evening. Few tourists. Notwithstanding what you may have read, people really do live in Venice. Find Donna Leon books, a series about a detective who lives in Venice. If you go, you will dream of returning. We hope one year to rent an apartment and spend the whole month of January in Venice. So, my vote is go!

beachman -

what was the weather like in January? Temperature - rain, etc.?

We went to Venice on Christmas and it was the coldest I've ever been (and I live on the east coast of Scotland) - it was too painful even to walk around outside for more than 15 minutes at a time. It's not always like that but I wouldn't risk it again.

Revitalizing this thread to get an idea bout the weather in September-Oct. Still hot? When's rainy season? (Don't want to be flooded, if possible!)

Our first trip to Venice was in alte September and early October. It was warm and sunny, not uncomfortable.

SuQue - And the crowds?

The economic situation has so upended the travel industry (although probably less so the cruise sector) that reports of what crowds were like last Sept-Oct or any earlier time frame are pretty useless.

As for weather, Sept is nicest, Oct runs a higher risk of spells of rain and November runs you into high water/flood season. Flooding in Venice is usually confined to areas near San Marco, and usually only in the morning.

Venice is so very unique - nothing else like it on the planet (that I know of!) so it is a must see. I detest crowds and am not a fan of cities in general but in spite of that I can look beyond that and see all the lovely layers of history, beauty, culture, markets, etc. Sure, it can be pricey, but so are many cities. Just do your resarch before you go. I would say it should be on everyone's list to see once before they die.