Does Venice really smell?
 

I've read postings that say Venice smells during the summer. I'll be there for 3 days in early July. If it does smell is it that bad?

Naaaahhh.<BR>

Thaaaaaanks.

Periodically, sections of canals are dammed and drained to clear out debris. Workers in hip boats slop through the mud and muck to clean the canal bottom. These drained canals can get particularly ripe in odor since they're only cleaned every ten years or so.

That's hip boots, not boats. The only boats involved are the garbage scows that haul away the detritus.

Just don't take a gondola ride and you'll be okay with the smell.

I was in Venice in June and I too had heard about the smells. While I will admit that while on our gondola ride there were one or two bridges that we went under slowly and you would not have wanted to have stayed parked under there for longer than necessary. However, would I have passed up my sunset gondola ride because of it? Absolutely not!<BR><BR>The city is awe striking. Go and experience it.

I guess the aroma of Venice is a personal opinion. My daughter and I thought it did smell (there in June last year) My husband and son thought not. They got the magic of Venice - I did not. I have to admit, however, that St Marks Square at night makes up for any bad odor - don't miss that!

Was there in July and will never go in the summer again! Not only did it smell, there were hordes of people clogging up the streets and trash everywhere.

Since I work in New York City dealing with crowds shouldn't be a problem. I guess it can't smell any worst than some areas in New Jersey. :-)

Yeah, but it's not exactly an armpit smell, Geo.