Did I make a mistake arriving Venice on a holiday (Nov 1)?
 

Solo traveler, first time to Italy.
Just found out that I will be arriving on a holiday (Nov. 1) in addition it being Sunday. Do I need to worry about not being able to find restaurants open?

Venice: Nov 1 - 4 (3 nights) - Arrive VCE @8 am
Florence: Nov 4 - Nov 10 (6 nights) - Arrive Florence @2:30 pm
Rome: Nov 10 - 16 (6 nights) - Arrive Rome @11:35 am, leaving Rome the morning of Nov. 16

Already booked train ticket from Venice to Florence and from Florence to Rome. Will take day tour from Florence to Sienna and/or Cinque Terre (weather permitting). Should I reserve museum tickets since November is supposed to be not as busy?

Any suggestion/tips for solo dining in these 3 cities? Thanks for your advice.

We arrived in Venice on Easter Sunday a few years ago. You will not have trouble finding a decent restaurant open. Enough restaurants are open. I remember that several of them on our list of recommended restaurants were closed and we ended up having a mediocre meal that night at what was probably a tourist trap. About the only sub par meal we had on the trip. I would plan in advance if you want to have a good meal on a holiday Sunday.

I would in general plan ahead for a Sunday evening meal in many parts of Europe. Sunday lunch, particularly in small towns, is a big deal and Sunday dinner not.

Hi dragonlady -

if you tell us where in Venice you're going to be staying, we might be able to suggest somewhere nearby that you might like. for example, I know a restaurant in Campo Santa Margherita which opens Sunday evenings and which, whilst not gourmet, is certainly ok, but that's no good if you're staying in a different part of Venice.

I really wouldn't sweat this. Nov 1 observances are not a holiday like Easter (it's a custom) and Venice is not really stuck in European tradition anymore. It's in the business of serving tourists 24/7. If you are certain you are going to want to eat dinner the day of your arrival, book something, but otherwise I recommend that you read up on cichetti and other small plates foods. You might want to turn in early and it is more fun for a solo diner in anyway.

As a solo diner in Tuscany in November, track down some great soups and consider heading to the San Lorenzo central market (upstairs) for lunch. November is not the optimal time for Roman pizza for dinner, but it is great and worth sampling. There are lots of good Roman places serving buffet lunches that are good for a solo traveler, and they often feature good vegetable selections, which is also welcome.

Also -- you should reserve museum tickets if you are sure you want to see certain artworks and don't want any chance of standing in line for an hour or more. This is especially true of Florence, but if you are going to Italy to see X anywhere, and you really really want to see it, book it, whether it is November or not holiday or what have. Just nail it down if that's the reason you are spending all this time and dough to be in Italy. If you are just coming to "wander and get lost", obviously no need to book.

Thanks for the advice. I will be staying at the Bucintoro Hotel in Venice (got a good rate when I prepaid 3 months ago). Any decent restaurants in that area that are open on Sunday?

gosh - even with a good rate I think that the Bucintoro is a bit above my pay grade! I'm afraid that the last time we stayed in that part of Venice was about 35 years ago, but I found this one nearby which looked as if it could be good though perhaps a little pricey:

http://www.ristorantealcovo.com/web/...o/Default.aspx

They have a whole article about "Moeche"on their website which bodes well.

just behind the hotel is a very typical street, via Giuseppe Garibaldi, where you should be able to find several more local-type establishments.

I'm sure that your hotel would be able to recommend somewhere too, and reserve a table for you if you don't want to take pot luck on your first night.