Some people "get" Venice; some people don't.

I long ago gave up trying to convince people about the wonders of a place they were sure was nothing special (like Milan, for example).

Take a few days to look around Venice/Burano. Maybe you'll come back, or maybe you'll decide it's not worth it. You're the only one who can say for sure.

It's not a question of "getting" anything. That comes across as a put down. There are rational and wholly valid reasons people dislike being in Venice. They "get" it. They don't like it. I certainly didn't like what I saw in Burano and regretted the waste of time going out there.

It would be a very good thing if people would stop trying to "convince" people that "you'll love Milan" (or Venice or you name it). Many adults have a fair idea of what they do and don't find interesting when they travel. Everybody who travels bumps into pleasant surprised and personal disappointments.

However, it is just obnoxious for people to set themselves up as the arbiters of what's worthwhile travel, and if others differ, or find it a bore, then up to you all to declare them disabled, defective, well -- not just as good as lovely you!

Here's a put down from me: The majority of what I read on Fodor's from people going on and on about Venice is transparently that Venice reflects back at them a self-image they find extremely flattering. They go to Venice to reaffirm their superiority. I don't believe a word they say about Venice because I don't believe they've ever really looked at the place, they are so busy looking into the canals at their own smugly smiling faces, patting themselves of the back for "getting it."

<<Here's a put down from me: The majority of what I read on Fodor's from people going on and on about Venice is transparently that Venice reflects back at them a self-image they find extremely flattering. They go to Venice to reaffirm their superiority. I don't believe a word they say about Venice because I don't believe they've ever really looked at the place, they are so busy looking into the canals at their own smugly smiling faces, patting themselves of the back for "getting it.">>

Wow- that was an sad and awful thing to say.

+1 Zoe.

Don't see why loving Venice makes us superior but Sandra you do look like a sad thing writing that.

Not mentioning that millions of people like Venice BTW, I don't think they all come to look at their reflection in the canals.

<Many adults have a fair idea of what they do and don't find interesting when they travel.>

That's painting a rather flattering picture of your average Joe Blow tourist to Italy. I'm referring to the millions who shuffle painfully through the Vatican Museums because someone told them it was a 'must see'.

Some people haven't the foggiest idea why they travel to Italy, much less the motivation to read a few paragraphs of history. They have a few thousand dollars in the bank and have watched a few Rick Steves docos.

<then up to you all to declare them disabled, defective, well -- not just as good as lovely you! >

If people openly declare they are not interested in 'museums, churches and history' then they *are* ignorant and I'll happily claim that as a big fat put-down. Why go to Italy? Why indeed go to Venice? Because these people figure 'everyone goes there', it's another 'must see' so it must be special - without bothering to take a look at nine centuries of history and the astonishing revelation that all of this could be built on a series of marshy little islands.




Sandralist, your fanciful picture of "an extravaganza of beautiful views, lovely nature, delicious farms and foods and wine, full of warm and wonderful people in its streets, piazze and markets and shops" sounds like PR for 'Under the Tuscan Sun'. The ugly, hideous, drab and miserable side - well let's not tell the tourists about that lest we spoil the fantasy.

sandra: >>It's not a question of "getting" anything. That comes across as a put down. <<

Not a put down at all. (I, for one, have often described myself as "not getting" some place that fascinates others.) My guess is that you often take comments in way that causes you to take umbrage. This will probably be added to the list.

Sandra has said somewhere that she does not much like Venice, and has visited twice, total about ten days.

Others are seduced by Venice. Could be that the OP realises that after a couple of days, there is more to see and to experience, and makes a return visit.

vincenzo3295,

I take "umbrage" at insults to new posters here trying to plan the trips they want and would enjoy. Take a look at the posts just above the one I wrote (and some below) that view Joe Blow tourist as a jerk incapable of the fine sensivities of Fodorites unless they pet their favorite hobbyhorse.

I regularly see Fodorites sneering about Cortona, and where are the rest of you jumping on them about how "sad" and pathetic they are for posting such things? Frances Mayes saw a great deal of beauty in that historic Etruscan city and the surrounding countryside, and earned a fortune telling the world about it. Why can't Fodorites see it?

One of the posters in this thread went to Portofino, saw nothing and claimed it was all due to Rick Steves that people went to Portofino at all. But during WW2, even the Nazis -- who used Portofino for an ammunition dump -- refused to blow up the town as instructed because they thought it was too beautiful to destroy. Won't say Fodorites lack the aesthetics of Nazis, but draw your own conclusions.

I talk back to the half-informed bullies who pose as Venice aesthetes -- or the true interpreters of Italy to the world -- and when I do, I get jumped on -- not the bullies.

I know at least half a dozen or more highly educated people with degrees in history, or careers in the arts, who have traveled the world, who would never return to Venice. There is nothing wrong or "sad" with disliking the experience of being a visitor to Venice, anymore than Cortona or Portofino.

One is left wondering how many of you know other people who travel, especially travel to Italy. Venice is not only far from being the most loved destination, but most people I know who have been to Italy tell me it is their favorite country, they wish they could live here, and even Italians have said to me it's a paradise.

Blueeyedcod,

The OP in this thead has put up many posts previous to this one that make it very, very clear that they are not doing a checklist of Italy based on other people's recommendations. You are simply a serial ignoramus who spouts off for reasons hard to fathom, but knock yourself out.

I know at least half a dozen or more highly educated people with degrees in history, or careers in the arts, who have traveled the world, who would never return to Venice

so what ? just means that highly educated people can have bad taste, is all.

Lol - Sandralist - anyone who disagrees with your pontificating is a target. Knock yourself out, dear.

My critique was not directed at the OP - more broadly directed at people you like to poke fun at yourself - the picture snappers as I believe you called them - who lurch from one 'must see' to another without thought or reason.

Too bad you don't abide by your laughable profile and be 'gone from Fodors forever'

Lighten up Sandra girl Somewhere the sun is shining....so dark...

Many people with careers in the Arts (or arts) visit Venice I the odd numbered years between late May and November. The Arts Biennale happens then.

Others visit Venice in the even numbered years for the Architecture Biennale, sort of the Olympics for architects. That's why I am returning to Venice later this year.

Hi everyone,

I deeply appreciate your help.

I did not mean to offend anyone.

We will definitely take one of the Vaporetto to sail around Venice.

Could you note please if that itinerary is doable?

It seems to have got lost in the thread.

Thank you very much.

*Mid-May, 3 nights

* Day 0: Land at 21:00 in Venice airport, and go straight to hotel in the centre.

* Day 1:
- Morning to Noon: Walk through Rialto Fish Market, Rialto Bridge, Piazza San Marc, and the through the nice canals. Have lunch in Venice
- Afternoon to evening: take a vaporetto (departs every 1/2 hour) to Burano, stroll there for 2 hours, and come back
- Evening: have supper in Venice

* Day 2:
- Day trip to Padua (or Vicenza) and Verona

* Day 3:
- Morning: 2 hours to either stroll in Venice or to take a Vaporetto (Line #1) around Venice.
- 13:25: Take train to CT

catj, I loved Cinque Terre. I think you will also if you are hiking.

I would allow the 4 days, since you are subtracting from that time for a day trip plus wanting to go out to the island(s). So your "4 days" is truly more like 2 days actually for Venice proper.

<rather than going through the same streets again.>

I think you underestimate the size of Venice. you could be there a week exploring and not go on the same streets, or into any museums or churches and still find plenty to see and do.

* Day 0: Land at 21:00 in Venice airport, and go straight to hotel in the centre.

* Day 1:
- Morning to Noon: Walk through Rialto Fish Market, Rialto Bridge, Piazza San Marc, and the through the nice canals. Have lunch in Venice
- Afternoon to evening: take a vaporetto (departs every 1/2 hour) to Burano, stroll there for 2 hours, and come back
- Evening: have supper in Venice

* Day 2:
- Day trip to Padua (or Vicenza) and Verona

* Day 3:
- Morning: 2 hours to either stroll in Venice or to take a Vaporetto (Line #1) around Venice.
- 13:25: Take train to CT>>

Absolutely doable, catj - and it would give you a good "taste" of Venice.

BTW, there are some very nice restaurants on Burano - which might be a nicer option for your lunch than hurrying lunch in Venice so as to get the boat to Burano.

we ate at one along the main street and had a very nice lunch but it was rather a long time ago so I'm not able to remember the name.

Thanks Ann.

That's exactly the short break we took and it's a perfect balance. (Day 2 Vicenza)

Some sense at last.

I spent 25 years and 20 trips to Italy avoiding and dreading a visit to Venice. Finally, two years ago, we went (because we had to).

It's the most stunning place on Earth.

Regardless of what "Mary, Mary quiet contrary" thinks.

Sorry to say, the OP lost me at "we are not interested in visiting museums / basilicas / churches."

I love my visits to Burano, but one does have to put the visual homages to Mussolini in certain bars in perspective.

Poor Sandy. Why not just ignore threads like these? Can you find any satisfaction by showing the public what it's like to go without medication?

Who cares how someone approaches a visit to Venice? Or anywhere else in the world. People do what they want to do. Other than your own personal control issues, what's the point in trying to change so adamantly their approach?

Sometimes, you just have to scratch your head and wonder where do some people find the time to be so invested?

What I really find funny is that sandra, not the OP, decided that my post was an "insult." She not only gets angry for herself; she gets angry for others who aren't angry.

What a piece of work.