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Your trip will be so much more enjoyable if you stay in Venice instead of Mestre.
We have stayed at the Al Campaniel in Venice and really enjoyed it. It is not fancy but clean and the people are very nice. The location is our favorite in our 6 visits to Venice. I think it would cost about the same or less than your hotel in Mestre. Here is the website for Al Campaniel: http://www.alcampaniel.com/ Have a great time in Venice! Laurie |
Good plan.
Do get the Venice Pass Orange (I think it is) with entrances to the City's museums. It will save you lots of hassles. Do get a very good small map--AAA has or had a small waterpoof map for a few dollars. It will be indispensable. Re your Lagoon trip: Torcello--the original Venice--quite a way out but has a fantastic old Greek church complex and a couple of very good restaurants. And not as crowded as the others. We liked the Secret Tour but it's not necessary. |
My daughter and I liked the secret itineraries tour very much. You get to see parts of the doges' palace that are not open to those touring independently, including the attic over the enormous hall, where you can see the original beams used in the construction of the palace, soaked in salt water to preserve them centuries ago.
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<i><font color=blue>"i would expect venice to be rather busy during our stay...It appears in an ideal location (10 min) bus ride to Piazzale Roma."</font></i>
"Busy" and "10-min bus ride" are code words for "Fugetaboutit!" Stand forewarned. Getting "into" Venice, especially during a busy period, is NEVER easy. I recommend you pull all your resources and find a cheap, no-nonsense place in Venice. Many do exist and some are near the train station (Cannaregio is a lovely section worth exploring). Check every cheap rec here on Fodor's. These folks know where to stay on a dime. You won't regret staying up all night walking the streets of Venice. There's nothing like it. |
If you do decide to change your mind and stay in Venice, I found an apartment on www.hostelworld.com that was right in the middle of Venice, and it wasn't expensive at all. It's actually more of a B & B because you are sharing the place with others. Here's the link: http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldet...e-Venice-17540.
The woman was very nice and the kitchen was stocked with yogurt and things for the morning, which was great. Basically, it was an apartment where she rented out the different rooms. There were three rooms total, and we were doubled up in one, along with two sisters in another. I believe the 3rd was a double too. So, you might give this a look and see if it fits your budget. It was great, and I'd definitely stay there again. |
HOW TO BEAT THE CROWDS AT SAN MARCO BASILICA
This is the trick to get to the front of the line for San Marco at anytime of the day. Check you bags in at the bag check for the Basilica, and use the card they give you to go directly to the front of the line. Four people can get in on one card. LOCATION OF BAG CHECK: As you face the clock tower, go to your right and then go to your left at the second alley way. The bag check will be clearly marked. When I was in Venice I was surprised at how few people made use of it. |
what time do the buses AND the train stop going from the actual city of Venice to Mestre ?
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Seems like there's a break in train service from 12:30 am to 4:00 am. Bus servic seems to stop at about the same time.
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On a trip to Croatia and back we stayed in Mestre (2 separate nights) because we had a car. The train ended between 12:30 and 1 am. The first time we had to run and just made it before the last train pulled out. The second time we did miss the last train and had to find a bus. I dont know how late they run.
I will go along with the others and say to stay in Venice. Even if it costs a little more, it will be so worth it. I was back in Venice in September for a week in the Dorsoduro neighborhood. Fantastic. I was in an apartment but the last night I stayed in a hotel and it was only 50€ for a single. Nothing fancy, just clean, comfortable, shower in the room but WC just outside. I even had a balcony. Just to give you an example that you can find reasonable places in Venice. Probably not what you are looking for but it is Casa Peron in any case. |
Do read "No Vulgar Hotel" by Judith Martin (2007), and "The City of Falling Angels" by John Berendt (2005) -- both are insider looks and well worth the time.
For a book list on Venice view www.Venice-Travel.BlogSpot.com For videos of Veneto, view the Veneto Channel on www.WebVisionItaly.com Buon viaggio. |
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