Vaporettos in Venice
 

We are going to Venice in late September and we will be staying at a hotel on the Lido. Are these vaporetto boats that get you around (esp. to the Lido) like small motorboats or more like ferries? My husband is so paranoid about seasickness, he is worried! I think he is overreacting, but if anyone has been on these and could tell me what the ride is like (how fast/bumpy/rocky etc.), I'd appreciate it.

Well, I am not sure how they will effect Sea sickness, but they don't travel that fast. and they are not that rocky, since the are wide and flat. They make frequent enough stops that if he does get sick he can easily get off. It is the mode of transpartation there.

They are the equivalent of buses, quite large and move fairly slowly. You are far more likely to get seasick waiting for the vaporetto, because the landing stage moves up and down a bit. I'm afraid that if you want to get around, you're going to have to go on the water.

Was just in Venice (incl Rome, Florence & Tuscany). Like your husband I get sick just looking at a boat ;). The Vaporettos are large and it was a short ride from Piazza Roma [dropped off rental car] to Piazza San Marco, ~25 mins). The canal is quite calm and it was not bumpy. Check the following URL for pics: http://goeurope.miningco.com/travel/...e/aa122297.htm

The goeurope site mentioned has great info about Venice. To see the different rowing boats, go to: <BR>http://www.venetia.it/boats/index.htm <BR>And a great site with info about boat tours of Venice: <BR>http://www.govenice.com/page.html?file=maree_eng.html <BR> <BR>The only time there's any rocking motion is at the stops; stand or sit in the center of the boat for less movement. The boats don't stay long at the stops. There are water taxis, which are speedboats, they cost far more than the water buses but no intermittant stops and don't rock. You can walk all over Venice; you can get from the airport to Venice by land but you'll have a long walk to your hotel from the taxi stop; you can get to Chioggia via motorcoach or taxi; you can only get to the islands like Burano, Murano, the Lido, etc. via water. <BR> <BR>Trips are so short that even if he starts to feel green, the trip'll be over before he knows it. Find the shortest distance over water; as an example, waterbuses stop several times before going to Murano. <BR>

I have never seen anyone seesick on a vaporetto, so that should be encouraging to your hubby. However, may I ask, if he is so seasick, why stay at the Lido ? It is some 20 mins by boat over a 'lake' from the center. Why not stay somewhere more central (you can get reasonable prices from places by doing a search here, though the rooms will be far smaller and perhaps less confortable than at the Lido) so that you can walk from island to island over the bridges ? Or, if you are looking for somewhere cheaper, at Venezia Mestre (the next town) where a 30 mins bus/train ride will connect you to Venezia S Lucia or Piazzale Roma ? That's only if he is feeling so afraid of course, because nothing compares to the beauty of waking up in Venezia itself!

Hate to burst anybody bubble here, but when I stayed on Lido I got sick (not actively throwing up, but plenty green and queasy) every time we went back and forth on the vaporetto. Admittedly I have the stomach of a sissy (heart of a lion!) but it was a drag. After the first day I took Dramamine - didn't get sick but didn't stay awake very well either! So I just toughed it out and walked around in the fresh air when we got off the boat so I could settle myself. We had a lovely hotel there, so I didn't feel terribly aggrivated by the sickness - it was the millennial new years and we were just happy to have a room anywhere. (but if you're planning to stay at the Hotel Reiter - don't!). <BR>But my second trip, we chose to stay over near the Accademia, at the Hotel American (hate that name, liked the hotel just fine) and paid about the same as we had paid on Lido and had a much better time. The poster above who said there's nothing like waking up in Venice was right - and nothing like walking around late at night and not having to catch a boat - and the best was getting up REALLY REALLY early (like 4:30) and being the only people anywhere. The mist was rising off the water, the sun was just coming up, we were the only living creatures in Piazza San Marco.... <BR>words fail me.

I agree with the last poster. We stayed right in the heart of Venice in a tiny room but it was great. We only had to board the vaporetto to get from the airport to our hotel and then, upon leaving, to the train station.I knew my husband would think it was a hassle to board a boat every time we went somewhere. (I had been warned on the internet of this very issue.) It was wonderful to walk to and from dinner every night, regardless of the hour.

why not go to drug store before time and get dramimine (sp?). or a marine store that has a wrist band that you put on your wrist at the spot that controls motionsickness. he doesnt get sick in a car or on the plane????? interesting!

The idea of dramamine or the travel sickness bracelets is a good one - I've tried them both. Dramamine is great for flying - it makes you sleepy, which is cool when you want to sleep on planes. It's really difficult to sight see after you've taken it though. <BR>And the bracelets! They work - but in order to work, then have to be pretty tight - tight enough to put constant pressure on the nerve that deactivates your nausea. I've worn them - they work - but I end up looking like I've been wearing handcuffs - they make my wrists black and blue for about a week. <BR>Not a big problem in the dead of winter, but for a summer tourist, it could be a little bit wierd. (and for a woman travelling with a very large man, you get some strange looks for people...) <BR>Have your husband talk to a doctor about a scopolamine patch that you wear on your skin behind your ear. They're only good for a couple of days, but I don't think they make you as drowsy. And they make your mouth dry - so you have to drink more wine! <BR>good luck - I hope you come up with a suitable solution - I sympathize!

I get terrible motion sickness and I use the patch. It's wonderful and has made a big difference in my life. I was even able to go on a sailboat in Boston Harbor with no problems. Usually just looking at one would make me sick. Try them.

I'm pretty susceptible to motion sickness, too, but never got sick on the vaporetto. As others have said, there's not much rocking motion in the boat. But I, too, would encourage you and your husband to consider staying in central Venice? If there's any possibility of being sick, you'll feel much happier minimizing the boat travel. And my favorite part of being in Venice is the nighttime, strolling the canals and enjoying the magic of it all!