sobster

2 things if I may...(1) Re the aforementioned "life vests". They are not needed. The water in the canals in Venezia is thick enough to hold the "swimmer" in a floating position. You can't sink in that stuff. Much like the Great Salt Lake. (2) The "sedan chairs"...excellent modern use of an ancient conveyance. Unfortuneately, when we were there they had just been recalled due to something called "rapid and unexplained acceleration". More later.

(Incidentally, this could become one of the historic threads on this board. Up there w/ "How much do I tip the pilot?" and the one about the "lost leg".

Peter_S_Aus

I'm shooting for the equivalent of the notorious bed sheet thread, which commenced in 2003. http://www.fodors.com/community/trav...bed-sheets.cfm

I think we can do it.

YvonneT

For those who really want to research their 2 days stays in Venice, may I recommend the following threads currently in the Italy forum:

Two-timers to Italy, need feedback for itinerary ( very useful for certain shady members of the group), and

another THREAT about railpasses ( I hadn't even noticed the first threat).

Peter_S_Aus

Steam powered ferry boats, known as vaporetti, have recently been introduced on the Grand Canal. While these are fascinating to watch, and move on the water without any visible commotion, one does well to avoid being directly over the vessel as it passes under the Rialto Bridge. Both steam and soot frequently escape up the funnels of these vessels.

I understand that the gondoliers are still holding occasional strikes against the implementation of this public service, as they see it destroying their trade.

Should the travelling circus and menagerie be in Venice when one visits, then the Rive del Schiavonni may well be avoided. Beside the smell of the animals, elephants have been known to escape from the menagerie. One such escapee had to be shot and its carcase buried on the Lido after it took refuge in the church of Saint Antonin in 1819. While a repetition is unlikely, this would be a most distressing event to witness.

Peter_S_Aus

One should have little fear of the “Two timers in Venice” noted above. Courtesans are now not much seen in Venice, and the “Two timing” probably refers to that delightful institution, the “The Dassant”. Dancers often indulge in the Two Step, mistakenly referred to as Two Timing. Oh, the ignorance, the ignorance.

The form of music known as “rag time” is sometimes heard, but only in lower class venues, and since the widespread availability of Mr Edison’s invention, the “gramophone”, dancing is now available to all but the poorest.

Smaller pianos are also popular, whereas grand pianos are not often seen, due, no doubt, to the difficulty of transporting such instruments.

LSky

You did say that the gondoliers were both helpful and courteous, why can't they carry the piano? Do you think if they were offered a small tip they might be persuaded to set the piano up in Peggy Guggenhiem's garden. There might be room where the little dogs are buried?

Peter_S_Aus

I received the question, “What should we wear to blend in with the locals?”

Blending in with the locals is not particularly desirable, as the food shortages of 1870 have reduced the general population to rather a sorry state. Many people wear clothes liberally decorated with the scales of fish, small daubs of mud, and the artisans of Murano are easily identified by the holes burned in their clothes.

So the advice to the genteel traveller would be to address appropriately for the Season. Daytime wear for gentlemen would include well cut blazers, light coloured trousers, and a straw Panama. Ladies would wear the same apparel as they would to, say, Henley, Cowes or Wimbledon, with the addition of a parasol.

Gentlemen mostly dress for dinner at the better establishments. A dinner suit is worn, and laundries can be readily found to starch dress shirts. That dreadful American device, the “Tux”, is generally abhorred, seen as being far too casual. Decorations may be worn, but only to official dinners. In general, dress as you would for a First Night at Covent Garden.

I must impress on the readers the importance of having a well trained travelling maid, the services of whom will be indispensible in maintaining a proper wardrobe.

Peter_S_Aus

A sadly uninformed question was asked, “Why can't the gondoliers carry the piano?”

I have referred this to an Australian acquaintance.

His response was, “Maaaate, maaaate, they’re gondoliers, not bloody furniture removalists.”

I endorse his sentiments.

(And that equestrian statue at Peggies is pretty confronting, hey?)

annhig

I must impress on the readers the importance of having a well trained travelling maid, the services of whom will be indispensible in maintaining a proper wardrobe.>>

does a maid count as part of one's carry-on luggage?

Peter_S_Aus

I must confess that I do not understand the term “carry-on luggage”. Surely one does not “carry onwards” one’s own luggage. One engages porters.
So crass, so uninformed ...

annhig

peter - have you not heard of the Wright brothers' new invention?

it may be that there will have to be a few adjustments in the arrangements of even the most sophisticated travellers.

Peter_S_Aus

Anne, I had heard that the brothers Wright had wrought some sort of flying machine. It is a passing fad, an amusement, a circus for the uninformed. It will never, as they say, "take off".

An interesting device of course, but rest assured, the concept of heavier than air flying machines will pass into oblivion.

Mr Montgolfier has conducted experiments, I believe, with hot air balloons, and they show great promise for over-water transport. I intend buying shares in his company when it lists on the Bourse.

sobster

One more thing if I may...Re the aforementioned "two step"? Is that by any chance the same as the famous "Aztec two-step"? Inquiring minds need to know.

Dayenu

Sobster, how can you not know what "two-step" is? It's the famous dance they perform when you hire a private gondolier! It's in every guide book, how could you miss it?

"Although the City Authorities have introduced a prohibition on keeping dogs in Venice, there is not universal adherence to this local law. For this reason, visitors are advised not to walk barefoot in Venice, even when the water rises." - this should be ESPECIALLY when the water rises

YvonneT

How can this repository of wisdom be buried on the second page?!

Dayenu

With all the posts here on Fodor's... maybe we'll be better off seing Venice off the cruise ship?

HappyTrvlr

Great idea!

Peter_S_Aus

If you intend taking a cruise ship to Venice, your purser will be able to arrange a gondola to meet the vessel as you enter the lagoon. While the transfer at sea is not for the faint hearted, it does allow one to enter Venice in appropriate style.

Gentlemen and ladies of the first order have been known to complain of the crush when they are forced to disembark with passengers from steerage, and so the gondola transfer is recommended. A Mr Steves, an American who writes travel guides and markets some sort of luggage, speaks well of this service.

One should dress well. That strange footwear resembling tens shoes, called “sneakers” I believe, will be eschewed by fashionable passengers. Tennis is not played much in Venice, although I understand that courts are available for use on the Lido.

Peter_S_Aus

A thousand apologies. The footwear is of course tennis shoes, not "tens" shoes. I confused myself - I do travel with some ten pairs if shoes (dancing pumps, brogues, golf shoes, fishing waders, something for shooting, and so on).

For gentlemen who golf, there is a links course of sorts on the Lido. One may engage caddies who speak a decent broken English.

If one has a pair of Purdey guns, then some fine shooting can be had on the lagoon. Tourists are considered fair game and are to be found in great numbers, as are snipe, wood cock and duck.

YvonneT