joanne

Okay, I admit it--I was underwhelmed by Venice. I finally got there this summer, and was expecting to find it THE most spectacular place on the face of the earth, based on a lot of popular opinion. While I did find it charming and picturesque, it was by means the 'end-all' of places in the world. I'm glad I went, but find myself not longing to return , as I do with Rome , Paris, or the Swiss Alps for instance. Anyone else share the feeling???? <BR> <BR>

Mr. Go

Evidently.

elaine

Hi <BR>I think there isn't a place (or anything, for that matter) on earth that appeals to absolutely everyone. <BR>That's what makes us different. <BR>I thought Stonehenge was disappointing--that sounds like <BR>ignorance or heresy to some people. <BR> <BR>I was underwhelmed by the Uffizi, but I love almost all other museums. <BR> <BR>Like you,I actually feel "homesick" if I don't get back to Paris pretty often, and yet, unlike you I also love Venice down to my toes. I'm going to Rome for the first time this fall with not a lot of enthusiasm I have to say, I hope to prove myself wrong. <BR>I have not been to Venice in the summer which I have heard is not the optimal time, but you might not have liked it any better in May or December. <BR>I'm sure you will hear from others who aren't crazy about it. No sarcasm intended, but I hope that word gets out--for its own good I'd like it to become slightly less popular.

Ed

I share your lack of "whelm". <BR> <BR>Partly I think so many build it up so exaggeratedly suggesting that everyone will be clearly be overwhelmed by Venice. <BR> <BR>It's pleasant, even dreamy at times. Small, overcrowded and smelly at other times. <BR> <BR>As Elaine says, not everyone will react to any spot in exactly the same way. <BR> <BR>twenj

Liam

I have never been to Venice (although I will certainly go some day), so I cannot comment on it in particular. <BR> <BR>Anyhow, some places just cannot live up to the hype that surrounds them. For example (and forgive me, I know this is not the US board), but I was not overwhelmed by San Francisco. I loved it and thought it was beautiful and could live there with little encouragement, but I was expecting more. I guess we have images of a place in our minds and some of them cannot meet or exceed our expectations.

Barbara

well, I too was "underwhelmed" by Florence as a whole and specifically the Uffizi, and expected Rome to be "underwhelming" as well, but, boy, was I wrong, so Elaine, hopefully, Rome will seem as wonderful to you as it did to me. Truly enchanting.

Surlok

Joanne, <BR> <BR>In my view, no one should expect Venice to be spectacular. It's not. It's "magic", what is a totally different perspective and approach. You might be taken by this "bewitching" or not. <BR> <BR>Undoubtedly, the Summer crowds may keep some ( or many) from feeling this enchantment. Venice is melancholic mostly, and the crowds definitely don't fit in, be it because of its size, or because it shall be appreciated in a quiet environment. <BR> <BR>Anyway, this is strictly a matter of personal preferences. I love Venice, I was completely in love with it since the first time I was there, but I know many people that don't share my feelings, like you, and this is perfectly OK. <BR> <BR>"Et vive la difference!" <BR> <BR>Surlok <BR> <BR>

Mikey

Joanne: <BR> <BR>I think when people go to the "expected charming places" and find their not so whelm we might feel it is ignorance. But we must all admitt to places we really don't get charged about can be places like Rome or London etc. I for one will never miss Rome. I didn't care for it. Venice I liked. Paris, I can't wait to get back. That's why we travel.

Diane

We enjoyed Venice a lot, but our three week trip was so full of amazing experiences that it didn't pack as much of a WOW as we expected. Of course we got there by driving up and through the Dolomites from Verona (which had really impressed us)...so it was a visually over-loaded day! However, when we got our photos back....the pictures from Venice are stunning, and the light (as they say) is like no where else we visited. In retrospect-- Venice was fantastic for 3 days and nights, but it was enough. I'd go back for a couple of nights. But I'd go back to Rome for a much longer time...and to any of a dozen Tuscan towns for an extended stay.

Lori

Not having been to Venice yet, I can't comment on it specifically, but I can say that I was completely underwhelmed by Florence. Oh yes, I thought the Duomo and Baptistry were magnificent, and so was the David, but overall I found Florence to be way too crowded, noisy and dirty. It was also the only city where we were blatantly ripped off in a pizzeria, and had the worst meal of our lives in another restaurant. <BR>I too have withdrawal pains if I don't get to Paris. I went to Rome with trepidation, and at first was disappointed. The atmosphere is so totally different from Paris, and those Vespas, well I was about to lose it. But I quickly got past it and enjoyed Rome tremendously. The intertwining of the ancient and the new is mind boggling. <BR>As for Paris, returning in November

Tom

I was overwhelmed by the prices...they are outrageous. <BR> <BR>Other than the first look at the Grand Canal from behind the train station, the Guggenheim and Piaza St. Markos, the only thing going for Venice is the feeling the Veniseans (SP) must have knowing you're trapped and they get to take your money! <BR> <BR>Tom

martha python

You are not alone--I liked Venice fine, but it certainly didn't have the magic for me that other places do. <BR>I loved Florence, including the Uffizi. <BR>I like the San Francisco analogy, which reminds me of something I've noticed. Not sure whether it's a trend or a fluke, but people I know who like Boston better than San Francisco also like Florence better than Venice. I don't know why. <BR>

Dianne

I loved Venice, but I was there in March and even San Marco wasn't too crowded then. The side streets were often tourist free and so were many cafes and gelaterias surprisingly. <BR> <BR>But, wow, is the mainland ever ugly! I couldn't understand what would be so bad about staying in Mestre, etc. until I saw the area. I never knew Italy could look so bleak and the truck traffic was terrible. <BR> <BR>I admit I wouldn't plan a trip to just Venice, but would consider just Rome or just Florence. By the way, Florence was already starting to get crowded in March, but it wasn't noisy or dirty yet.

Capo

I've visited Venice once, in 1987, and found it fascinating, almost magical and otherworldly. But, as much as I loved it, and would like to revisit it someday, I haven't been drawn back to it like I've been drawn back repeatedly to a place like Paris.

ellen

I admit to being underwhelmed by Venice and Florence when I first visited more than 20 years ago. On the other hand, I had low expectations for Rome but loved it when I visited the first time last year. And I agree with those who can never get enough of Paris.

Jeannette

No, you weren't the only one. My husband and I travelled to Venice during a September heat wave when the water levels in the canals were extremely low. Although the heat and the stench from the canals made the visit uncomfortable physically, we just didn't care for the lack of plants and trees. We were also disappointed that all of the restaurant menus we reviewed (moderately priced ones) all looked the same. We had a good time and enjoyed the sights but we would not go back. We were swept off our feet by Rome and we will definitely return there.

Heidi

Excellent responses posted here. It's so true that your feelings about a place are often a reflection of all sorts of random things--where you are in your personal life, what the weather was like, a particularly unfortunate turn of bad luck, and so on. I loved Venice and would go back in a heartbeat. I've been to Florence twice, and still don't really "get" the attraction. Perhaps third time is the charm for Florence (better weather, fewer tourists, whatever), but it will be a long while before I get there. Don't give up on Venice, but next time (if there is one), try to go in the shoulder season (I was there in October). <BR> <BR>And for my new travel guru Elaine, I've been to Rome and I think (and hope) you have a wonderful time this fall. There's somewhere I'd like to see again too....

Linda

I too was underwhelmed at Venice. I found it to be a town that was slightly run-down, that the only reason for it's existence was to take tourists' hard-earned money. But that they didn't want to plow that money back into the facilities. However, I'm going back next year. I can admit I may have been wrong and will give it another chance. (Maybe I was in a sever depresssion at the time--who knows? And I've been known to be wrong before!) So many people can't be wrong in finding magic someplace. Maybe it will be magical for me this time too.

cristina

I think that Venice would be so much nicer without the HOARDS of tourists, I couldn't stand the enormous crowds. On the other hand I absolutely loved Lido which was about ten minutes from Venice. thought that Florence was okay, It was definitely not as spectacular as I thought it would be. ANd I cannot say enough great things about Rome.

Nanette

I was underwhelmed by Paris, but love <BR>the south of France. I didn't like Florence the first two times but loved it the third which was in Winter. <BR>I love every part I have visited in Italy so far. The first time I visited Venice I was coming on train from Vienna, which was underwhelming. When I got off the train in Venice, it was a warm day in Spring with Vivaldi music playing as I stepped out of the train station, I was overwhelmed. <BR>Go figure.