Enough already - let's get back to what this forum is for - helpful information learned on our trips.... BTW, thanks Tom and Holly.

Nangile -
We purchased our vaporetto ticket at the airport.

Sorry, can't help with the ballet, but Venice has a weekly that lists events, and the tourist office as well as their websites should have info. Have fun!

Nangile: try www.selectitaly.com for ballet, etc. schedules.

Wandere - Your welcome. I will play nice!!LOL

Wanderer, Italians I know refill their mineral water bottles with the water flowing from the (drinking) fountains in every city. I've tried it and it is fresh tasting and refreshing.

In some of my Italy apartments I try not to think of the pipes bringing that wonderful water but it still tastes fine if I run out of mineral water.

wanderer - EXCELLENT report! I particulary appreciate your food comments as we will make a serious splurge or two, but want wonderful meals the rest of the trip that won't break the bank.

I am so glad you bucked the crowd and spent the whole week in Venice, I am trying to do that next year. It's amazing the number of people I know (not just on the board) who keep trying to convince me to spend my week somewhere more 'worthwhile' (Florence, Tuscany, Rome are what them mention). While there are many other 'worthwhile' sites in Italy, I do not believe any will capture my attention like Venice (or my heart!).

Thanks again for the report, my true reason to write was to 'bookmark' it for myself :)

Wanderer,
Thanks for your great report. We're spending 6 full days in Venice in October with 2 day trips and I'm now thinking of cutting at least one, if not both.

I'm glad my report has been helpful.

I will say that I think we could spend another entire week in Venice and still not "see" it all.

Venice really is an experience, rather than just sights - hard to explain 'til you've been.

One thing I wanted to mention that confused us a little at first about the vaporettos. I made the mistake of not asking for a vaporetto map at the airport where we got our tickets.

Not a problem, as the boards listing the stops were pretty self explanatory.

The day we went to Dorsoduro, we wanted to then go on to San Giorgio Maggiore to see the Monks' chants. We were at Della Salute church, and realized that line #1 did not go there, only #82. We asked a taxi driver about a ride, who was gracious enough to tell us that if we just took the vaporetto to San Zacarria, we could pick up #82 there. So over we went to San Zacarria and waited and waited at the #82 launch, only to discover that it was the "Night" launch. Live and learn.

My point - having a list of what lines go where was really helpful. The best for this I found was Cadogan Venice, which listed the most frequently used lines, where they went, and a simple map.

The only mistake I found was that the line to the islands (Murano, Burano and Torcello) was not listed correctly, and was actually line "LN".

If anyone wants the list of the lines and stops, I will be happy to post.

Other than that, we found the vaporetto easy. Also be careful to ask about returns. We went a couple of places, hoping to do a round trip, and were told "all off". Again, though, if you just ask, everyone is really helpful.

wanderer, So where was the correct spot to catch the #82 vaporetto to San Giorgio Maggiore? I was planning to go there Sun morning for the chants.

If you need information on the forms of transportation in Venice, including the vaporetto lines, have a look at the municipality of Venice's website:

english.comune.venezia.it/turismo/muoversi.asp

This site will in turn provide you a link to vaporetto "routes" on the "hello Venezia" website, with all the vaporetto lines listed. Click on no. 82, and put in a time of day, then click "search"- it will show you all the stops for the no. 82, including San Giorgio Maggiore, at any hourly time band you select.

For example, if you put in "9:00am" you can look at the list of stops and see a vaporetto stop at San Zaccaria (the stop before San Marco/Vallaresso) at 9:09am, and then San Giorgio M. 3 min. later at 9:12am.

SusanP -
Follow Spygirl's advice and check those sites. I don't recall the name of the launch, but it was to the right one or two from San Zaccaria.

We were at a launch marked 82N, you need to be at one that is just 82. 82N runs the 82 route at night only.

There are lots of launches in this area, so it might be best just to ask to be sure. We lost 1/2 hour waiting, but were lucky to see the tail end of the chants - it is well worth going for.

Thanks!