<This is all YMMV stuff.>

On Fodor's I have read that Venice is like Disney World; that Neuschwanstein Castle is like Disney World; that Las Vegas is like Disney World only worse; and that Times Square is like Disney World only much, much worse. See a theme? I, for one, am glad that I have seen them all, and would go back to Venice in a heartbeat.

I **LOVE** Venice. It's magical. Unique. I've been only twice, both times happened to be in summer (HOT!) in high tourist season. I still loved it.

I think the haters don't know what they are talking about!

New: Disney World is like Disney World. I guarantee it.

This thread should be titled "I want to start a pointless argument."

<we have been hearing feedback from actual people that have been to Venice that it is filled with tourists and has a feeling of "Times Square " of NYC and that food is not all that great.>

I'm an "actual" person. I think people like to trash Venice. I think of it in the same way "actual" people say that everyone's rude in Paris. I agree about the food, but then I didn't do any research or try very hard on that account.

San Gimignano is a 100% touristy town with everything geared to tourism and nothing really feeling authentic. Sure most of Venice is the same if you go on a weekend during most popular 6 months a year but if you do a little work and stray away from main sights, it can be much better. Also, it's so impressive it may be one of the thing that's worth how touristy it is. TBH if you're traveling peak season every main site in Tuscany will be crowded and touristy. Get out of Tuscany and go places like Umbria or Alto Adige and you'll get less of the trinkety-tourism

and yes I hate Venice on weekends in summer. But I love it for Carnevale in February!

Is Venice over-rated?

Pls advise what the current rating is for Venice?

Is Venice overrated?<<

YES, unless you are a connoisseur of construction site porta pottys

And a lot of the crowds are from cruise ships which are getting larger every year. There is talk of moving them to the mainland at least.
If you walk away from San Marco and the Rialto Bridge into the neighborhoods, you will find a different Venice. It is such a beautiful, historic and unique city. No, it isn't over rated at all.

Pls advise what the current rating is for Venice?

_________
Italy (and the rest of Europe) runs 210 to 220V and 50 cycles.

10 amp circuit breakers?

Very droll, IMDonehere. ��

Go now. We were just in Venice and one of our guides said that tourism is down maybe 15% so far this spring/summer. Do not spend much time around Rialto and St. Mark's. Wander the back streets, take a vaporetto to the islands. I think it is a very magical city. This was our fourth visit; each time we see it deeper if that makes sense.

10 amp circuit breakers?

I do not know, I am not an electrician, just a humble tourist.

I didn't find it over-rated but it can take some time to work its charms. From talking to a few friends, it is not uncommon for people initially to find Venice a little run-down, or shabby - all that water takes its toll on the buildings. Once you have gotten over the fact that up close the buildings are not pristine, and settled back to enjoy the particular vibe Venice has to offer, everyone I asked this question to agreed that they loved Venice.

I wouldn't worry about the museums / culture aspect - I am not a museum goer either but loved wandering all the different neighbourhoods, exploring the islands and the Lido. If you are a photographer there are so many beautiful views.

The food was the one aspect of Venice I would say you have to research in advance. We had many poor meals where we just wandered into a restaurant "on spec". There are so many day-trippers and non-repeat customers, restaurants can thrive even if they are mediocre. Make sure to have restaurant recommendations in advance and seek out places that you have read about. It takes some of the spontenaeity out of the holiday but is well worth it.

No, wander the streets, my favorite thing to do in Venice.

I have been to Venice in January and early May and I thought it was spectacular. I probably would avoid Venice during high tourist season due to crowds and heat. I especially like walking around and getting lost and the islands of Torcello and Burano. I don't think it is necessary to do a gondola ride but riding the vaperetto water taxis is fun and you can tour around using them to get to the other islands.

Everything MmePerdu says IMO. Please go and stay a few days.

IMO, San Gim can be an easy day trip but go on a week day.

I think San Gimis overrated.

The OP registered last month but I have a strong suspicion that this is almost an identical posting of a few years back which tried to stir things up.

Any recollection?

nochblad, the OP's other posts are all about trying to organize an itinerary.

Itineraries often require making hard choices. The first time we went to Italy, we left Venice off the list because fitting it in would have been awkward for logistical reasons. We anticipated a trip to Austria subsequent to that Italy trip and felt confident we could fit Venice in combination with that Austria trip, and we did.

Sometimes people need reassurance about choices, possibly because they fear being told "you went to X and you didn't see Y?!!!" I think this is what the OP is seeking, as of course travel decisions are very subjective and so it is impossible to state that something is or is not overrated. I was not sorry we did not include Venice in our first Italy trip not because we didn't think it worth visiting (a place of such renown is always worth visiting, if only to form one's own opinion) but for the logistical reasons stated. I concede that in deleting Venice from that trip we took a risk - for it is always possible one won't, in fact, get back to visit places one deleted on previous trips. So to me this question isn't really a question about 'ratings' but about tolerance for a certain kind of risk.

I like boxcox's warning that it is best if one doesn't expect a magical experience. Just relax, and trust that magic will happen when it's ready to happen, wherever one chooses to visit.