Hi all,
We're on the road, yes driving and are heading for Venice on Monday. Just wondering if it is best just to park up the car for the three nights and to stay in the centre or find accommodation on the 'mainland' and travel over each day?
Also anone know if there is flooding in Venice at the moment? (have heard snippets of news but nothing clear)
Thanks for any ideas... JT

I would suggest parking the car at the Mestre train station and staying in Venice proper, which is what we did last time we were in Venice. I can't remember the exact price but it was less than 15€ a day I believe. I think you will enjoy your stay much more not commuting back and forth.

Definitely stay in Venice...tis lovely to walk around
after dinner or go to the square to listen to the
music.

I would stay in Venice. Take a vaporetto ride on the grand canal at night to see the buildings lit up - it's beautiful.

Tronchetto parking garage

This is the handiest cheapest place to leave your car

http://www.europeforvisitors.com/ven...ing_garage.htm

eurocheapo.com/venice good central hotels

budget tips with a map for me last May

www.hotelpausania.it #211 cute little Palazzo in the Dorsoduro

#211 Canal View suite cost me 59 euro with www.otel.com

Awesome value...Mestre industrial crime safety issues do

not park your car or yourself there unless secire.

Happy Travels!

"Agua alta" almost always an issue when I am there in Nov

It was really bad in 2004 we had to run the Venice Ultra

Marathon on plywood planks everywhere so come prepared

with raingear perhaps some waterproof boots just in case.

Usually not too bad though.

Although obviously it is much better to stay in Venice proper, staying in Maestre is not such a bad idea. Yes, you have to commute everyday, by bus, but the savings are big, parking is free at most hotels too. It is a personal decision it might work for some not for others.

If this is your first trip to Venice, definitely stay on the island so you can enjoy being out first thing in the morning and last thing at night when the city feels like yours.

For our next trip, the 7th or 8th to Venice, we may stay in an apartment in Padova so that I can shop for food in the wonderful markets there.

Another vote for... Park the car, stay right in Venice.

Venice IS the attraction. Where else do you get to stay inside that much art?

There was a bit of flooding when we were there ten days ago. We stayed in Dorsoduro (at the very eastern tip, near Santa Maria della Salute), which was wonderfully quiet.

Staying outside of Venice is the worst possible idea. To really experience the city you need to be in it - especially after late afternoon when the daytrippers go home. Mestre is a terrible idea and the Lido is almost as bad. Definitely stay in the city an learn a little bit of what it is really like.

Stay in Venice. That will allow you to experience Venice at night which is magical.

Thankyou all for the great advice, will continue chasing the tips for places to stay, had a great day here in Vienna while awaiting your replies. cheers and thanks again, JT

On the question of flooding from Monday, Nov. 7th, there might be some low levels of water in the morning between 8:00 and 10:00. I see rain is predicted, so if it's a heavy downpour you may see water accumulations for a longer period. The flooding is mostly tidal, and rain doesn't drain well at high tide.

http://www.comune.venezia.it/flex/cm.../IDPagina/1748

This map shows where the elevated paths are set up during acqua alta. There are also links to maps showing what areas would see flooding at various water depths.

http://www.comune.venezia.it/flex/cm.../IDPagina/1502

thanks jean, will follow your links for a better idea. JT