To some, this may seem like a stupid question. But, is Venice worth all of the hype? I'm planning a trip now and will be staying in Rome for 4 days and in a Tuscan villa for 7 days. We have 3 or 4 more days after Tuscany to fill in, and I was wondering whether to go Northwest to the Cinque Terre or Northeast to Venice. Here are my concerns about Venice: Logistics - how easy is it to get into/out of/around Venice?; Money - I've heard Venice is twice as expensive as anywhere else in Italy; Smell - do the canals stink? I just want to make sure we finish our trip with a bang; is Venice the answer?

you obviously haven't read any of the hundreds of previous posts about Venice and its magic. For most, Venice was the highlight of thier tour through Italy. Maybe if you went in the hottest time of the year, during high tourist season it wouldn't be as wonderful as other times. Yes, it's more expensive but, like anywhere else, you can find an affordable hotel room (especially if you don't choose one on the grand canal)and you can eat as cheaply as you want. There are restaraunts that will require a second mortgage to be taken out on your house, or do like we did and pop into little cafes to have pasta and salad and wine for a few dollars. It easy to get to and once your there you just walk around and try to take it all in. You will not be disappointed.<BR><BR>What time of year will you be going?

I've traveled around much of the world --certainly most of Europe. I always find myself in a new city saying something like, "you know this sort of reminds me of ______(fill in the blank). But Venice reminds me of no where else in the world. Sure there are a couple of places that try to call themselves "the little Venice of_____", but who are they kidding? Venice is magical and there will never be another place like it.<BR>Maybe the canals will smell a little, maybe it will be hot and muggy, or rainy and damp, maybe you'll get taken at a touristy rip-off restaurant. But I promise you, you'll always remember Venice as a special place -- at least so long as you approach it with an open mind and see the good, not the bad.<BR>And please sit in St. Marks at night, have a drink or a coffee and enjoy the dueling orchestras under the starlight, and then have an extra one for me -- I'm missing Venice this summer.<BR>

yes, yes, yes! do not miss venice. we flew into venice and left by train, and water taxis were readily available at both places. we had no problem getting around at all. yes, it was the costliest city we visited in italy but it was also the most unique. perhaps it was expensive because we bought so much; the glass there in beautiful beyond words. make sure and visit murano while there and tour a glass factory. don't buy the first glass you see; there is so much of it. standing in st. mark's square is something you will not forget. about the smell: we were there in april and there was no odor. i have heard it is bad in the summer months, so if you are going in the summer, be prepared. also, it was filled with tourists in april, so the summer is probably worse with more people on vacation then. three days there should be perfect.

We are going in May 2003. I've heard mostly good things about Venice, but I've also heard a few disappointments and frustrations. So, I wanted to get the Fodorites' opinions, which I value greatly.

Just don't get your expectations up to unreasonable heights. It's a wonderful city but it isn't perfect and if you expect it to be, you'll be disappointed. When you go, give it time, relax and wander off the beaten path and maybe you'll find that you love it, too.

Yes. Patrick said it well. It's not of this world. Cinque is great, Sorrento area is great, etc., but as many times as we go (annually), we look forward to Venice most. Select a good pensione (we stay with a good friend who owns a pension one block from Rialto and the cost is perhaps $120 a night, no different than Atlanta) eat those special Italian meals that are not necessarily expensive, walk, enjoy St Marks at night with a cup of coffee....You'll never forget it. Canal water? Never drank it, but I never noticed the smell either. Have a great trip.

Is it overrun with tourists? Yes. Is it costly? Yes. Are the pigeons in St. Mark's Square a little unnerving? Yes. Do the canals stink? Sometimes. Does it flood? Occasionally.<BR><BR>Is it worth it? It is the most "worth it" place I've ever been to (with the possible exception of Paris). Enjoy!

I guess that I don't understand why you would be convinced that Rome, Tuscany, and, possibly, the CT would be "worth it" but unconvinced about Venice.

Scott, from what I have seen, people who dislike Venice or don't find it all that great feel that way for three main reasons - crowds, a relative lack of major sights such as you might find in Paris or Rome, and cost. To avoid crowds, go in the off season, get out early, and/or get off the normal tourist path. Venice does have some great sights (the Doge's Palace, Piazza San Marco, the Grand Canal, and Basilica for example), but there is much more than this. Perhaps more than with any other major European city, strolling is the way to really appreciate the many facets of Venice. Walk the backstreets of Cannaregio or the Dorsoduro, explore the islands of Burano and Torcello, and step into its numerous churches to see fantastic paintings in their original environments. In regards to cost, Venice is certainly not a cheap destination, but it doesn't have to be all that expensive. We had a decent hotel just around the corner from Piazza San Marco (and on a canal) for $65 a night, and you can always eat pizza and pasta to save money.<BR><BR>Getting around in Venice is not that hard, of course depending on where you stay. You can take the train to Venice, hop on a vaporetto and be at Piazza San Marco within 20 minutes or so.

At a cocktail party we were recently discussing various places in Europe. I was shocked when one couple started ranting about how awful Venice was -- they hated everything about it. Finally I discovered that they had visited it for about 5 hours one day as part of a cruise. They hadn't experienced night there -- they had been led around by an umbrella carrying tour guide, and they didn't have the vaguest idea of what Venice was really like. It can take a little time, at least overnight, to grow on you, but it is a special place.

Sorry, but I have to add to the kudos for Venice. Unless you know you'll be coming back and will definitely go to Venice another time, you should go now. And the time of year you are planning will be perfect in Venice. I'll endorse the comments regarding those who have said they dislike Venice; they are usually people who expect a centuries-old city, full of cathedrals (70 of them) and just magic ambience, to be more like a modern Disneyworld. Those are the folks who would be a lot more satisfied going to carnivals and theme parks, and they should never have gone to Venice in the first place. Yes, it is magical; no, I have never actually caught any odor from canals in the dozen or so times I've been there. But get your obligatory visit to St. Mark's square out of the way, go on top of the St. Mark's tower and see the city from above, and then start wandering around. You can't get lost, but you'll enjoy the feeling that you are. And as said already, you need to stay there overnight at least one or two nights to sense the calm and beauty of the city at night, and you need to get up at dawn and stroll around to watch the city come alive in the morning. Enjoy your trip.

We've been traveling for 30 years, and Venice is without a doubt the most unique interesting city we've visited. No, the canals do not stink any more than any other ocean water in a port. They are not sewers, the city sewage is piped to the mainland. It's far more interesting than Cinque Terre, which is a beautiful place, but there are many beautiful places just as nice as 5 Terre. There is only one Venice. The must-sees in Venice take a minimum of 3 days. In my experience, people who have a negative view of Venice are mostly 1 of 2 types: First, daytrippers and others who spend a day or less in the city. They only see the Grand Canal, P. San Marco and the other daytrippers. Second, people who stay longer but are too timid or uninformed to venture out of "daytripper alley" (the area running roughly from S. Lucia Station, to the Rialto Bridge, and to P. San Marco). Venezia is a world treasure, no place like it on earth. Venice is very easy to get in and out of. You can find double rooms for from $50 a night on up depending on the type of accomodations you want. Restaurants aren't any more expensive than the tourist areas of Rome and Florence, especially if you venture away from that "alley."

I got back from 6 days in Venice 2 days ago and I LOVED it.<BR><BR>As said above, there is simply nowhere we have been that compares with Venice, it is unique and beautiful.<BR><BR>There are very very few new buildings so the views everywhere are wonderfully rich.<BR><BR>We spent a lot of time just walking around the different areas and islands.<BR><BR>Do go and see St Mark's square, the Doge's Palace, the Basilica, they are all stunning, then get away from that area and see the rest of Venice.<BR><BR>We were there over Easter and for 2 of our days there were INTENSE crowds, heaving throngs of people, but ONLY heading into St Mark's Square.<BR><BR>Elsewhere Venice remained serene, uncrowded and relaxing.<BR><BR>I hope to write up some notes soon, though I shant be posting them here. Please feel free to email with specific questions.<BR><BR>Kavey

Venice is definately worth your time. Getting to Venice by train is very easy just make sure it is going to the island and not the mainland. Once in the city the best way to get arround is the water systems, it is economical and fun. Water taxi's are expensive. The canals do not smell. As for the city itself, it can get crowded especially during the summer, but if you stay in the city in the early morning and the evening it becomes pretty empty and you can walk for a long time without seeing anyone let alone a tourist. Just get off the main areas by a block or two, and you'll meet another side of Venice. As for it being a bang to the end of your trip, that is up to your interest. If you enjoy ancient history, beaches, or other items then no, but if you enjoy the Renisance, romance, and the culture of the old independent Venician state then yes. The expense is high, but compares to other Italian city centers. Good Luck!

Well, I'm pretty much sold on Venice. Now comes the hard part -- where to stay. There will be 7 of us in the group, and I found a couple of apartments that might be good choices. Is anyone familiar with the Santa Croce apartment or Castello apartment? Also, how is the Santa Croce district in comparison with the other 5? Is it safe, clean, convenient, etc?<BR><BR>Thanks for the input everyone!

Scott<BR>the Santa Croce district is farther away from Piazza San Marco (the hub) than most tourists choose but you might like parts of it for that very reason.<BR>Venice is small, I think the longest possible walk is no more than an hour.<BR>And vaporettos can also get you where you want to be. However, the northern part of Santa Croce would not be on my list at all, anything near Piazzale Roma<BR>(the parking area and bus terminal point) would be too far and a turnoff for me.<BR>Do you have a street address for the apartments?

Elanie, I don't have a street address, but it overlooks a campo with wells in it, perhaps Campo S. Giacomo dall'Orio? I think it's only about a 2 minute walk from Riva di Biasio. Does that help you?

Not that you apparently need any more convincing, but here's another solid, solid vote for Venice. Elaine is quite accurate about it being a small city. You can pretty walk anywhere if you choose.<BR>One thing to look forward to is the view of the Grand Canal as you exit the train station. It's truly thrilling. And, don't worry, hearing about this in advance will not diminish the thrill of that first sight!

OK I need to weigh in. It is truly magical. At the risk of being sappy, I am glad I never visited Venice before. When I finally went I was with my husband and it was perfect. By the way I also took my Yorkshire Terrier. Very pet-friendly place. The rule seems to be the nicer the hotel the more they love your pet! She loved it too especially chasing the pigeons in St.Marks Square and the Vaporetto rides. It is a great walking city. Great shopping. The only thing that I did not find so wonderful was the food. Compared to Florence, Tuscany, Rome and other parts of Italy, Venetian food is average even in the finest places. around.