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-   -   stupid Venice Question (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/stupid-venice-question-1674941/)

Traveler_Nick Dec 9th, 2019 06:29 PM

There are hotels close to the train station. Not only are they easier to get to they are often cheaper.

If you are traveling by rail not enough emphasis as been put on the hassle of dealing with the train station and train. Station elevators don't always work . When they do work they might be out of the way. There is limited space on the train. Officially Italo's lowest ticket class even has a luggage limit.

In Venice you can just take your time. If instead of getting to your hotel in twenty minutes it takes you forty not exactly life changing. Missing your train because you couldn't manage your luggage will be a bigger hassle

Finally you could always hire a porter at the Venice train station to carry the luggage for you to the hotel. Cheaper than a taxi I'm sure.

lauramsgarden Dec 9th, 2019 07:40 PM

Thank you all. I have gotten a much better sense of what we will be dealing with and some of the options available. Interesting, you all gave a much clearer sense of it than the guide books have. Just to be clear - we don't travel with a lot of bags, but we do tend to travel with one large rolling bag (thanks for the warning about the cobblestones and lack of elavators) and one backpack. We can handle airports and train stations just fine - but it sounds like Venice is a city with different issues. We will continue to study it.

Peter_S_Aus Dec 9th, 2019 07:52 PM

Remember that EVERYTHING in Venice arrives in the same way. Books, bricks, boots, booze, hotel laundry, food, tradesmen with their trolleys of tools. They all arrive the same way, foot, boat, foot.
Certainly the bridges can be a nuisance, depending where you stay. Our first trips, no bridges to San Barnaba, next trip, one bridge to San Giacomo, three bridges to the Frari, three to Fondamenta Gaffaro, four to Fondamenta Briarti.

You do get used to it. Just avoid the Scalzi, Rialto and Accademia bridges with luggage. They are tough.

kja Dec 9th, 2019 07:58 PM


Originally Posted by Peter_S_Aus (Post 17027792)
You do get used to it. Just avoid the Scalzi, Rialto and Accademia bridges with luggage. They are tough.

Excuse me, but unless you know something about the OP that is none of our business, then you don't know whether any particular person will have a problem or not. Some people are injured. Some people have mobility issues. Some people have specific limits for other reasons. Assuring people that its "no big deal" or that they'll "get used to it" is really not a very helpful information, particularly when people who HAVE difficulties might not care to share them.

Peter_S_Aus Dec 9th, 2019 08:18 PM


Originally Posted by kja (Post 17027795)
Excuse me, but unless you know something about the OP that is none of our business, then you don't know whether any particular person will have a problem or not. Some people are injured. Some people have mobility issues. Some people have specific limits for other reasons. Assuring people that its "no big deal" or that they'll "get used to it" is really not a very helpful information, particularly when people who HAVE difficulties might not care to share them.

OP indicated that they would be travelling by train or car, which indicates some level of physical capability. Fact is that the only bridge over the Grand Canal that is not a killer is the Calatrava, the others are tough.
People do manage in Venice with limited mobility, Venice has the oldest median age of any European city.

starrs Dec 9th, 2019 08:26 PM


Originally Posted by lauramsgarden (Post 17027790)
Just to be clear - we don't travel with a lot of bags, but we do tend to travel with one large rolling bag (thanks for the warning about the cobblestones and lack of elavators) and one backpack. We can handle airports and train stations just fine...

IMO that's not "a lot". And if you can manage on a train, you can manage in Venice just fine.

I would avoid bridges if possible. And it is possible if you choose your hotel carefully.

starrs Dec 9th, 2019 08:29 PM


Originally Posted by Peter_S_Aus (Post 17027792)
Remember that EVERYTHING in Venice arrives in the same way. Books, bricks, boots, booze, hotel laundry, food, tradesmen with their trolleys of tools. They all arrive the same way, foot, boat, foot.

That was one of my favorite things about our room on the Grand Canal - watching all of the "utility" boat traffic in the early morning, including the huge piles of laundry bags going off to be washed elsewhere.

Trophywife007 Dec 9th, 2019 08:31 PM

I would say that considering all the many, many trip reports I've read from Peter_S_Aus about Venice I'd take his advice seriously. He is the authority as far as I'm concerned, having been there more frequently than most of us.

Pepper_von_snoot Dec 9th, 2019 08:32 PM

Oh, brother. Drama Queens in Fodorville.

Chill Felicia!!!!!

Simple solution: take water taxi to a hotel that has a water door. The Hotel San Cassiano Ca' Favretto is such a hotel. Google is your friend. So is Klonopin.


Thin,aristocrat 🌭

Trophywife007 Dec 9th, 2019 08:41 PM


Originally Posted by Pepper_von_snoot (Post 17027808)
Oh, brother. Drama Queens in Fodorville.
...
Simple solution: take water taxi to a hotel that has a water door. The Hotel San Cassiano Ca' Favretto is such a hotel. Google is your friend. So is Klonopin.


Thin,aristocrat 🌭

Already stated. See post #6. Great minds, and all that...





Peter_S_Aus Dec 9th, 2019 08:45 PM

As usual, Thin is right on the money.

kja Dec 9th, 2019 11:51 PM

  • Knowledge of a city isn't the same thing as knowing about the issues faced by travelers with disabilities, whether permanent or temporary, nor is it knowledge about the other physical or psychological health problems that could make transportation in Venice problematic (issues that could involve the cardiovascular system, for example). That many elder people live in a city is irrelevant, and mentioning it is potentially insulting to all sorts of people. In case any of you hadn't heard, age is not a disability, nor does it necessarily imply limited mobility.
  • Knowledge of a city isn't the same thing as knowing how to be kind or sensitive to people whose abilities might not be "within normal limits." I think we have enough evidence on that point.
  • Travelers with temporary or permanent limitations might still be able to arrive by either train or car, and no matter the mode of arrival, steep stairs and flooded walkways could be a particular challenge. Why make unnecessary assumptions when faced with a simple request for information?
  • Travelers with temporary or permanent limitations might not have the budget to accommodate "simple" solutions. Water taxis and conveniently located hotels with ready access might be good options for those who can afford them, but not necessarily for everyone. Why not at least provide people with the information they need to determine what their options are?
To me, awareness of the issues faced by those with disabilities (whether temporary or permanent and regardless of the extent of the limitation) or other health issues is important, as is treating others -- disabled or not -- with respect and kindness and sensitivity. And whatever is true of the OP, this thread could be accessed by all sorts of people, so why not provide information of general use? JMO.





neckervd Dec 10th, 2019 05:06 AM

Threre are some good hotels close to the railway station. They have neither boat's piers nor hotel boats as they can be reached on foot (without steps) in a few minutes from the train platforms.

vinny32951 Dec 10th, 2019 05:45 AM

ask the hotel
 
The short answer is to ask the hotel if they have a dock for water-taxi access. If you have a lot of luggage, you probably won't want to use the vaporetto. It could be crowded and not have much space, plus you'll have to take the bags on and off by yourself. You don't say how many days you'll be there, but one possible (and possibly expensive) solution is to store the bags you won't need at the train station. There's a daily charge for each bag, but I can't remember what it is.

starrs Dec 10th, 2019 08:06 AM

Did I miss something? Is the OP disabled?
I didn't get that impression.

starrs Dec 10th, 2019 08:08 AM


Originally Posted by vinny32951 (Post 17027913)
If you have a lot of luggage, you probably won't want to use the vaporetto. ... one possible (and possibly expensive) solution is to store the bags you won't need at the train station. .

They don't have a lot of luggage to deal with or store -

"with one large rolling bag (thanks for the warning about the cobblestones and lack of elavators) and one backpack. We can handle airports and train stations just fine..."

Jean Dec 10th, 2019 09:56 AM

The discussion began as a trip involving "luggage for several weeks," but it turns out to be a 2-week trip with a normal amount of luggage. So, replies started off from a point of warning of potential difficulties, but I think we can assume the OP will be just fine.

suze Dec 10th, 2019 10:56 AM

Did I miss something?

I guess so. They phrased the question in their OP as "luggage for several weeks of traveling with you" so people took it to mean more stuff than "Just to be clear - we don't travel with a lot of bags" the information we got in post #22.

Trophywife007 Dec 10th, 2019 11:06 AM


Originally Posted by suze (Post 17028104)
Did I miss something?

I guess so. They phrased the question in their OP as "luggage for several weeks of traveling with you" so people took it to mean more stuff than "Just to be clear - we don't travel with a lot of bags" the information we got in post #22.

I believe Starrs was referring to the long post on travelers with disabilities which I don't think applies to the OP, or at least they haven't mentioned anything specific. fwiw.


MmePerdu Dec 10th, 2019 11:48 AM

Presumably the OP is aware of their own capabilities and can pick & choose which information given is applicable to their overall situation. I don't know why threads so often degenerate into nitpicking on what we think we know or don't except that when the good information has all been given we just can't seem to leave it at that. Though I enjoy many of the people here, when I want information without BS I go to TA. So here I am nitpicking. I definitely need to get a life and I seem to have loads of company in that regard.


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