hi Will

This post has topped, and I'd just like to say terrific trip report - really enjoyed it. Sorry you were unwell in Venice but at least you made the most of your time there.

On a recent post about thanking people, you mentioned I should post about my "nightmare in Venice". But it wasn't Venice herself, la Serenissima was wonderful as always; it was just circumstances and family that made it so difficult at that time (hormonal and moody teenage daughters, an insect bite which resulted in blood poisoning, cranky heating/hot water in our apartment, rain every day, plus the wheelchair).

All my plans and hopes and dreams for that trip came to nought, which was why it was so awful for me. Any trip report would come across as selfish, and I would open myself up to critiscism about my parenting.

If anyone ever asks about mobility issues in Venice I will respond with how I found it - and despite having read quite a lot of positive stuff about keys to wheelchair lifts over certain bridges (which we couldn't get to work) it was bloody difficult to get anywhere without effort!!

We did have a few good times - we coped with vaporetti e traghetti (+ wheelchair) on many occasions; Burano was good, Murano no so great; once we'd heaved ourselves into the Frari and Salute the peace was incredible; the ices at Gelato Fantasy on Calle dei Fabbri were amazing (we weren't impressed at Paolin - it's where I got bitten, and not by the gelato bug!!) and there was only one bridge to negotiate on the way. The one high spot for me was when I 'escaped' alone for an hour early one morning to the Correr Museum, and came face-to-face with the beautiful young man painted by Bellini - smaller than I had imagined, but his beauty almost made the trip worthwhile.

But thanks for your interest. If you reply and I don't post back it is because there are so many replies to the OP that it takes forever to open the post now! All the best, I'm sure we'll 'talk' again soon!

Julia, I am traveling with my teenage daughter this summer so I'm hoping for the best :). I think it gets exponentially more difficult the more kids are involved. I'm sure you weren't a bad parent in Venice. I think weather makes a huge difference. I liked Paris, but wasn't enraptured, and I think the fact it rained several days when I was there contributes.

I hope you have a great holiday with your daughter this summer. Travelling with children seems to get more difficult the older they get - at least until they get old enough to behave like an adult and learn some sort of control. Thank you for your support - I KNOW I wasn't a bad parent in Venice, but it's nice not to have critiscism for how I dealt with circumstances beyond my control.

I have travelled as a single parent with my 4 for seven years now, and it is definitely getting to the point when I am thinking twice about going with them all now. It would be nice to be able to travel with them on a one-to-one basis. Maybe soon.....

My eldest daughter (16) decided after the Venice debacle she no longer wished to travel with the rest of us. YEA!!!!! Big celebrations all round as she does tend to be the catalyst for all arguments/fallings out, etc. I love her to bits, but I can see the problems she has with being the oldest of 4, and only 3 1/2 years between all of them.

Anyway, next Tuesday I am off to Paris and Normandy with the 3 younger ones - I have had such fun planning it all with help from lots of people at Fodors (I have often used the search facility to avoid endless repetitive questions), and I am so looking forward to it (with the exception of actually driving INTO Paris to the hotel carpark). I just hope that this time my hopes and expectations of a lovely holiday together don't get such a big slap down.

Eldest daughter is working and staying with her father (who only ever sees a lovely girl, and has no idea of the **** I have to put up with!!). The day after we get back she is off to the depths of Brittany to spend several days in a (muddy?) field on a schoolfriend's farm at some music festival they have there, so she will be happy (on cheap french biere most likely!!).

Whatever, I wish you and your daughter sunny days and a great time together.

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