Help! We are arriving in Venice one day ahead of our escorted tour. It seemed like a great iea at the time but now I am panicking at the idea of getting by on my own with very little language skills. We wanted to spend our free day taking the vaporetto to Murano and Burano since alot of the other tourist stuff in Venice will be covered by our tour. I have tried figuring out the vaporetto maps, etc. to figure out what to do.....but...it is confusing.<BR>We are staying at the Carlton Executive near the train station. Does anyone know what number boat we would ask for to tour the canal and continue on to those islands?? Also what about coming back?? What do boat number do we need to get back?<BR>Will we be able to get by on those islands with minimum Italian?? Also - any recomendation for restaurants cloe to our hotel? Thanks!

Just relax, Chris. You'll have no problem. English is readily spoken in Venice. And, personnel at your hotel should be able to answer all your questions. So, just relax and anticipate what is sure to be a memorable trip in a great city!

We got a one day pass on the vaporettos. I think it was $10. We went to Murano and Burano,as well as other places. You might check on that. No language problems.

Chris:<BR><BR>You can really relax. English is widely spoken in Venice.<BR><BR>I second the recommendation of buying a Vaporetto pass. It is really worth its price, as it covers *all* lines, including the long ones to the outlying islands like Murano, Burano, and Torcello (my favourite).<BR><BR>There are several ways to get to Morano/Burano from the railway station:<BR><BR>Shortest: Line 42 direct to Murano, then transfer to line 12 for Burano: This route goes west and north, is shortest but not as attractive as this one:<BR><BR>Line 82 along the Canal Grande to San Zaccaria, then transfer to Line 14 to Treporti, where it changes line number (to 12) and goes on to Burano and Murano. It is * much* longer, but will take you along the whole length of the Canal Grande and across the lagoon.<BR><BR>Incidentally, you will find Venice's public transport authority English website at:<BR>http://www.actv.it/eng/home.php<BR><BR>Enjoy your trip<BR><BR>Phil.

Be forewarned -- the #82 and #1 vaporetto which go down the Grand Canal move both clockwise and counterclockwise around the island! We hopped on the #1, awaiting our first view of the Grand Canal from the train station, and ended up seeing the "back" of Venice (the shipping docks, etc.). Kind of disappointing. But English is spoken just about everywhere. Ask your hotel, they can tell you which direction the boat should be going. And even if you get on in the wrong direction, you'll end up at the right spot. It's like taking the interstate around the city -- if you miss your exit, just stay on the loop and you'll eventually hit the exit again in an hour!!