As do many Fodorites, I dream about returning to Italy as soon as possible. My last trip was March 2001. Whenever we return to Italy (hopefully next year), we must visit Venice...a city I am just beginning to research.

For those of you who love Venice:

* What would you recommend as the best location to stay in?

* Is it a good or bad idea to stay on a canal?

* What are your personal "must sees"...art, architecture, churches?

* What is your best advice of any kind for a first-time visitor to Italy?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Don't mean to be lazy, but here are some excellent previous threads on all your questions

Canal view rooms (absolutely get one!)
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34441870

General advice for Italy (very long)
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34443340

Favorite things in Venice
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34449294

Areas in Venice
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34431594

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Elaine has an extensive and well researched file on Venice.
>Elaine's great e-files<
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34452549

We stayed in the San Polo area and felt it was perfect because it was close to the Rialto, not far from St. Mark's, yet not filled with tourists, either.

We didn't stay on a canal, but also noticed no stench coming from any of them, either. And, this was in July.

Our must sees were the obvious Rialto Bridge, St. Mark's Square, Accademia Museum, Frari Church, Santa Maria Della Salute, and the Peggy Guggenheim Museum, along with numerous others. Be sure to leave plenty of time to just wander and enjoy getting lost in the magic that is Venezia.

My best advice for a first time visitor to Italy, or any other European country, is to attempt a little of the local language (basic phrases), don't expect things to be as they are at home, and just go with the flow.

Hope you have a great trip, Lorac!

Lorac, you MUST drink a bellini outdoors somewhere. St. Mark's is quite expensive, but it is so wonderful to sit there, enjoying an evening with a bellini!

mclaurie and JBX: I will check out those threads. Thanks.

Statia: This isn't my first trip to Italy, but it will be my first time in Venice. We also love exploring and wandering. Thanks for your recommendations.

mp413: What is a bellini?

Bellini is peach juice and champagne! So,so? I enjoyed a local beer as I listened to the bands in the shadows of St. Mark's. I would encourage you to ride the water bus (varporati?) and a ride in a gondola was a real thrill to my wife and I! Just wandering around is a must! I would also encourage a visit to Burano- not for the lace but just because it is a really nice place. Oh, go into the Palace and Prison! And, go up the Bell Tower! And, and, and ... how long are you staying?

I would also add to splurge on a gondola ride. You see the city from a whole other perspective that way.

You don't need to know what it is because it's so sweet and tasty--but yes, it's peach juice and champagne, and I believe sometimes has a touch of peach liquor (maybe someone can verify that)...

We had 2 nights in VEnice and could have used a 3rd. Loved staying in the Dorsoduro area, easy to walk everywhere, Accademia bridge is a great focal point to find your way back, and not too touristy. We stayed on the canal in 90 degree weather with just fans (no AC) and really it was fine. No stink. 8am Gregorian Mass on San Giorgio was cool. Church of the Frari very beautiful. Rialto Market. San Marco Square at sunset to listen to the orchestras. Facing the Accademia, head to the right and find some little shops. Pack (and check on the plane) a corkscrew and pocket knife. Go to the shops and buy meat in one, cheese in the other, and bread. Also get a bottle of wine for about 3 euro. Sit along the Canal or find a bench and have a picnic! I read somewhere no picnics but we had no problems and others were doing it as well. Get a phrase book or take a short class to learn key italian words and phrases. We encountered very few english speakers and were glad we could muddle our way along!

(Don't go to the Bridge of SIghs in the Doges Palace if you're claustrophobic! But the rest of the tour is great!).

Please tell me I'm not the only one who doesn't get all excited about paying a huge price for some mediocre champagne with a tiny touch of peach flavoring in it! I find it a poor excuse for a drink. I'm all for doing the local thing, but I truly believe that bellini deal is one of the greatest jokes played on tourists in Venice. I suppose if you really like it, then OK. But to me it still tastes like cheap champagne being covered up with a hint of flavoring.

I agree with you on this one Patrick. I remember having Bellinis in the US (not recently) &amp; liked them a lot. Ordered one at Harry's Bar &amp; found it clawingly sweet. Either my tastes have changed or maybe they're made differently in different places. I never tried another one after that experience. My rediscovery was <b>prosecco</b>-Italian sparkling wine. Now that is <b>great</b>.

Hi Patrick
You make a good point about the price vs quality of a bellini, but it's true of any drink (champage cocktail, kir royale, come to mind) that mixes a sparkling wine with something else. It would be a waste of a good prosecco, and since a lesser sparkling wine is sensibly used, you are being charged quite a bit of money for a cheap wine in a tasty treat. But I suppose that financial formula would also be true of a fine bourbon mixed in with Coke.

True, Elaine. I have a good friend who only drinks &quot;whiskey&quot; with diet coke or pepsi, depending on which the bar has. But she always does a call brand &quot;whiskey&quot; having them recite the entire list of options. Like she can really tell what the stuff is they put in her diet cola!!!

Thanks for your help. I think we may have to book another tour that day. I certainly don't want to start off my trip feeling rushed and under stress!

Oops sorry - posted this on wrong thread.

That's too bad, I find them so yummy! I don't even like sweets, or champagne usually, but I very much enjoy bellinis. Lorac, I would definitely try one at least and decide for yourself. It's too classic a drink to pass up a bellini in Venice in my opinion.

e roz: I am claustrophobic so thanks for the advice on the Bridge of Sighs.

Of course, I will try a bellini, just as we tried lemoncello....now we always have a bottle in the freezer (even though my husband drinks only Jack Daniels and hates sweet drinks)and he loves lemoncello.

But doesn't just about everything taste better in Italy? We had the worst lunch with watered down wine on our first day in Rome. But we were sitting at an outdoor cafe facing the Pantheon...and that lunch is one of our fondest memories.

To answer a few questions: We've been to Italy twice. Once was the Lakes region. Our last trip was Rome, Amalfi, Florence, Siena, a drive through Tuscany and visiting family in Caserta. It was a glorious trip.

Right now, my husband and I are tossing around the idea of going in March or April. And since we left off Venice the last trip, it MUST be included this time.

However, since we also want to visit the family again in Caserta and see Rome again and see more Tuscan and Umbrian towns, I just need to sort out our priorities, methods of travel and, of course, how to do all this at a reasonable cost.

Thanks for all your help.