stupid Venice Question
Dec 11th, 2019 | 06:08 PM
#61
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,622
Likes: 0
I would avoid the San Clemente Kampinski. It is located on a small island in the lagoon, and so means that you are a bit constrained, in that you can’t just step out the door.
You have to take water transport wherever you go.
You have to take water transport wherever you go.
Dec 11th, 2019 | 07:25 PM
#62
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,560
Likes: 0
So, it sounds like a hotel with an elevator and booking a water taxi is in order. We don't know when you're traveling or what your budget is but booking.com might be a good place for you to start. If you have any hotel points to use, that might be a consideration, too.
Perhaps you can pace yourselves when walking and avoid walking across Academia bridge... I don't know if Rialto would be too taxing... but you will figure it out and have a glorious time, I'm sure!
Perhaps you can pace yourselves when walking and avoid walking across Academia bridge... I don't know if Rialto would be too taxing... but you will figure it out and have a glorious time, I'm sure!
Dec 12th, 2019 | 06:29 AM
#63
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,266
Likes: 0
I love Hotel al Ponte Mocenigo and it is very popular with others on Fodors:
https://www.alpontemocenigo.com
It is a one-minute walk from the San Stae vaporetto--no bridges. It is in a quiet area but close to many things. No elevator, but there are rooms on the ground floor or just one flight up. I love that it is a smaller hotel, charming but not fancy.
And it is at 120 cm above sea level so avoids the majority of acqua alta.
https://www.alpontemocenigo.com
It is a one-minute walk from the San Stae vaporetto--no bridges. It is in a quiet area but close to many things. No elevator, but there are rooms on the ground floor or just one flight up. I love that it is a smaller hotel, charming but not fancy.
And it is at 120 cm above sea level so avoids the majority of acqua alta.
Dec 12th, 2019 | 07:52 AM
#64
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
A tip for choosing the location of a hotel in Venice - use Google Earth to follow the route (and check out those little bridges. They are the challenge.) and also check YouTube videos. We arrived by train (highly recommend) and couldn't decide whether to cross the bridge in front of the station (Ponti degli Scalzi) which was a shorter walk to the hotel or take the vaporetto one stop and walk a little more. After watching several YouTube videos of people struggling with their luggage up the (many) steps, we opted for the vaporetto. We also bought a transportation card for the 3 days we were there and hopped on and off the vaporettos.
In Venice it's worth doing the due diligence.
By the way we travelled with one 24 inch and one 20 inch. Make sure the wheels are in good shape!
I don't know what the situation is in Venice now because of the flooding but we loved every minute there!
In Venice it's worth doing the due diligence.
By the way we travelled with one 24 inch and one 20 inch. Make sure the wheels are in good shape!
I don't know what the situation is in Venice now because of the flooding but we loved every minute there!
Dec 12th, 2019 | 08:06 AM
#65
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 84,801
Likes: 46
After watching several YouTube videos of people struggling with their luggage up the (many) steps, we opted for the vaporetto. We also bought a transportation card for the 3 days we were there and hopped on and off the vaporettos.
In Venice it's worth doing the due diligence.
By the way we travelled with one 24 inch and one 20 inch. Make sure the wheels are in good shape!
!
In Venice it's worth doing the due diligence.
By the way we travelled with one 24 inch and one 20 inch. Make sure the wheels are in good shape!
!
The vaporetto stops were just outside the hotel door (going in one direction) and a short walk for the other direction. VERY easy. Flat surfaces. Easy to get on and off. Perfect for transportation from the train station, to San Marco, etc.
My friend found a fabulous water taxi tour with appetizers and prosecco and we took that tour on our first night. It was the perfect way to see the city from the water.
Too true about the rolling suitcases. For some stupid reason, I struggled with a suitcase whose wheels were being stubborn. I should have bought a new suitcase before the trip instead of watiing until after. Easy rolling suitcases make a HUGE difference.
Dec 12th, 2019 | 08:46 PM
#66
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 25,720
Likes: 0
To recap, the OP posted a question that asked for some general information.
- Some people (e.g., but not only, greg) responded with very helpful and responsive information.
- In contrast, some people responded with false assurances that there would be no problem.
- I challenged those no-problem assurances, pointing out that people with temporary or permanent issues affecting their mobility might have difficulty, and also noting that some people with such issues might not want to spell them out.
- Several Fodorites questioned why I raised the issue of mobility. Seems they didn't realize that I had already answered the question -- some people don't want to speak to challenges.Not to mention -- as I did -- that it isn't our business and that asking could be construed as insensitive.
- Turns out the OP did have a concern about mobility (something that is, IMO, irrelevant to the point, and I'm sorry the OP felt the need to ultimately mention it).
- My thanks to every one of you who questioned my posts and then, as things played out, acknowledged the importance of my point that we shouldn't assume that everyone is free of limitations! Thank you so much!
Last edited by kja; Dec 12th, 2019 at 09:00 PM.
Dec 12th, 2019 | 09:28 PM
#68
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,560
Likes: 0
It is an important point but if the OP doesn't mention access for mobility issues I don't know how anyone can be expected to address it. It also would be helpful to reference it in the title so anyone doing a search could be alerted there was helpful information.
Many of us don't keep track of all the threads a poster has participated in. For example, some people here seem to know where the OP has lodging but others of us have no indication of it. We are not clairvoyant. If we don't have all the pertinent information, our answers won't be as helpful as they might otherwise be.
I hope the OP is able to access the services they need and have a great trip.
Many of us don't keep track of all the threads a poster has participated in. For example, some people here seem to know where the OP has lodging but others of us have no indication of it. We are not clairvoyant. If we don't have all the pertinent information, our answers won't be as helpful as they might otherwise be.
I hope the OP is able to access the services they need and have a great trip.
Dec 12th, 2019 | 10:21 PM
#69
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 25,720
Likes: 0
@ Trophywife: The point is that people might not wish to acknowledge limitations, and there's no reason why they should! *** WE . DO . NOT . NEED . TO . KNOW *** !!! We can be sensitive to the needs of those with limitations by simply presenting honest, reasonable answers to generic questions. Instead of saying, "no problem," say what might or might not be a problem. greg and others did it. Easy peasy.
Dec 12th, 2019 | 10:58 PM
#71
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 25,720
Likes: 0
Some other worthy lines:
- It's not how we make mistakes, but how we correct them that defines us.
- Everyone deserves a chance to clean up their mistakes.
- Boys make mistakes, but it takes a man to admit it, stand through it, and learn from it.
Last edited by kja; Dec 12th, 2019 at 11:16 PM.
Dec 13th, 2019 | 09:17 PM
#74
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,622
Likes: 0
Arriving in Venice, per a 2010 trip report.
We Emirated our way across the globe, fetching up at about 45deg 15m N, 12deg 19m E, in Venice, arriving in real style per taxi, threading our way through the Rio di Santa Giustina (sound horn at the intersection with the Rio di San Francesco), the Rio di San Lorenzo which gives a good view of crumbling foundations, and the Rio dei Greci. And then that complete knock out sight, as we entered the Grand Canal, Ducal Palace and the Campanile to starboard, and the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Salute to port. There’s a line in “Wind in the Willows” – “There’s nothing so worthwhile as simply messing about in boats”, and Venice has taken this to heart. The Grand Canal is full of people simply messing about in boats. Gondolas, police boats, workboats, ambulances, waterbuses, water taxis, the lot.
Upstream under the temporary bridge with traffic lights erected across the Grand Canal to the Salute for the 21st November festival, and disembark at the Ca’ Rezzonico. I can’t really claim to have returned like Marco Polo, if for no other reason that we lacked his cargo of silks and spices, but it did feel pretty special. Stroll down Calle Lunga with no bridges to cross, nice as we are travelling pretty heavy, and we’ve arrived. Same place as last time, up a tight spiral staircase, and we’re here.
We (that’s Lou and I) came here for eight weeks in late December 2008 , so we sort of know Venice, or we like to think that we know Venice about as well as non-Venetians can. We’ve brought Lou’s mother with us, a sprightly lass, of eighty or so, and it’s her first real visit to Venice.
We Emirated our way across the globe, fetching up at about 45deg 15m N, 12deg 19m E, in Venice, arriving in real style per taxi, threading our way through the Rio di Santa Giustina (sound horn at the intersection with the Rio di San Francesco), the Rio di San Lorenzo which gives a good view of crumbling foundations, and the Rio dei Greci. And then that complete knock out sight, as we entered the Grand Canal, Ducal Palace and the Campanile to starboard, and the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Salute to port. There’s a line in “Wind in the Willows” – “There’s nothing so worthwhile as simply messing about in boats”, and Venice has taken this to heart. The Grand Canal is full of people simply messing about in boats. Gondolas, police boats, workboats, ambulances, waterbuses, water taxis, the lot.
Upstream under the temporary bridge with traffic lights erected across the Grand Canal to the Salute for the 21st November festival, and disembark at the Ca’ Rezzonico. I can’t really claim to have returned like Marco Polo, if for no other reason that we lacked his cargo of silks and spices, but it did feel pretty special. Stroll down Calle Lunga with no bridges to cross, nice as we are travelling pretty heavy, and we’ve arrived. Same place as last time, up a tight spiral staircase, and we’re here.
We (that’s Lou and I) came here for eight weeks in late December 2008 , so we sort of know Venice, or we like to think that we know Venice about as well as non-Venetians can. We’ve brought Lou’s mother with us, a sprightly lass, of eighty or so, and it’s her first real visit to Venice.
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