Day trippers in Venice
 

Venice is, of course, charming as a tourist destination, one of those places you've always wanted to see. But in the June 10 NY Times on line there is an article lamenting the overcrowding due to tourists who come like an army equipped with credit cards and fanny packs.

One tourism person calls them "day trippers." They are likely to come and like pigeons mill around a bit without truly appreciating the historic sites. The article poses some rules to relieve problems:
Tourists shall not eat lunch on the street, not litter, not swim in the canals, not ride bicycles or other vehicles, not undress in public, not walk around in bathing suits.

But of course Venice is addicted to tourism due to the money it generates. Can anyone else think of another overcrowded tourist site or some good rules?

Bill in the Ozarks

I'm not sure I understand the article. Whose proposed rules are these--the writer of the article or someone in Venice? Were they a joke or for real? I have been to Venice many times in different seasons, and I have never seen anyone swimming in the canals, riding bicycles, undressing, or wearing bathing suits. As far as eating on the streets, many places sell food that is meant to be consumed where you stand since they are only kiosks with not tables. Last summer the big food fad was cups of watermelon and other fruits. Where else would you eat gelato bought at a gelato stand? The litter is pretty terrible, but only on the "main drag".

And who's to say who is truly appreciating the historic sites? Is there a test at the end?

Right, I agree the proposed "rules" are a bit hokey. It's only a newspaper article about crowds in Venice, nothing profound. I was just wondering about touristy crowds elsewhere and what sensible rules might any of you travelers wish for! :-)

Bill in the Ozarks

I don't know how to post it here, but there was a link to that article given in another post recently.

Here's the previous post and a link to the article in the NY Times.

"To Venetians' Sorrow, the Sightseers Come in Battalions," by Alan Feuer, appears in today's NY Times."

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/10/in...ENI.html?8hpib

Bill there are probably thousands of places that fill up with tourists during the day. Almost any place where a cruise ship stops has the same problem as do small but picturesque places that attract tour buses. What sort of rules are you looking for and why??? I'd hope most Fodorites would know the rules of etiquette. Besides, we Fodorites tend not to be daytrippers.

As to not being "day trippers," I guess that's a good point. Too often tourists just breeze in and gawk and then are off to something else. So the question is how not to be a tourist!
We should pause to savor and enjoy and reflect. Some advantage to remaining in one location for at least a couple of nights. We have travled with Grand Circle Travel which does locate groups for 3 or 4 nights in one spot which allows time for strolling and relaxing even while covering territory. The ideal really might be living in one place for a time, right?
Ozarks Bill

I'm sorry, but I don't think the question is "how not to be a tourist" but rather how to discern BS when you read it.

The ONLY people in Venice who aren't "tourists" are the permanent residents and no matter what you do or say when you travel there you aren't going to suddenly be a "non tourist" because you left your fanny pack back in the hotel room.

The Venetians have been merchants and traders for decades. Half the stuff in the Doge's Palace and the church were stolen from somewhere which the Venetians happily admit. They knew how to make money then and they know how to make money now because they've got something great to sell.

When it stops generating revenue I am certain the Venetians themselves will find a way to keep the "tourists" from eating on the street.

Perhaps your cynical explanation is correct when applied to the "city fathers." However, I can certainly sympathize with the good citizens of Venice and how their quality of life has to be affected by the enormous influx of tourists, particulary the "day trippers."

I remember many years ago while on vacation witnessing a group of "day trippers" descend on Charlotte Amelie from a cruise ship that probably carried 600-700 passengers, which was the norm then, and how badly some of them behaved. We were also guests in the city, but this "interruption" affected our day and comfort, so I can imagine how it affected those who lived there.

I have no answer to the problem, but wouldn't it be lovely if all visitors were as polite and thoughtful as we Fodorites are? :">