Venice
 

We are arriving at Marco Polo at 10:00pm. Getting to the city doesn't seem to be a problem but what then .....? How does one find the hotel even if there is a vaporetti stop somewhere near it? Wandering around in the dark looking like lost tourists seems decidedly stupid but I can't seem to find any information on it. Isn't it a problem?

Hi Madeleine,<BR> Have you asked your hotel for directions from the vaporetto stop? <BR>

As long as you have a good map of the city, you shouldn't have much of a problem. The city isn't all that large, so you can pretty quickly tell if you've gotten off track. Which hotel are you staying at and what is its address?

You haven't mentioned which hotel or in which area of Venice.<BR><BR>I think the biggest problem with getting to a hotel from a Vaporetto stop is the number (if any) of bridges you have to go over.<BR><BR>Find the location of the hotel on a map and track your way to the vaporetto stop.<BR><BR>We've been to Venice twice and using a map while walking around is only partly useful. Most people are walking around lost anyway. Why not you?<BR><BR>Part of the charm of the place.<BR>

Definitely just email the hotel and ask for the specifics. If you decide to splurge for a water taxi, the driver will be able to help you out too.

Good morning, Madeleine drop me a line<BR>with the name of your hotel, willlook it<BR>up and possibly be able to give you some<BR>pretty directions from the nearest<BR>vaporetto stop. Richad of LaGrange Park, Il..

When we went to Venice last year, right at the vaporetto stop (San Marco) were men with carts asking if they could take your luggage to your hotel! We said yes. Wasn't expensive as I remember.

Madeleine<BR>Many hotels, even small ones have their own water entrance (it's the way most Venice buildings get deliveries) so if you take a taxi odds are you will be dropped off right at the hotel or quite nearby. If you can afford it, do it.<BR>I normally am highly in favor of taking the vaporetto ride on first arriving because it can be a thrilling intro to Venice, but at night you won't be able to see much or orient yourself.<BR><BR>If you take a vaporetto, you will be getting off at a central stop such as San Marco, or Accademia, or whatever stop is closest to your hotel. Your hotel more than likely has a preprinted sheet or email message that they can send or fax to you that has explicit walking instructions, or you can just ask. However, have your map available, and keep your luggage manageable. It will be dark outside, and Venice is not dangerous but it is confusing enough in the daylight. Inevitably you will have to climb up and down a bridge or two or more, and that means stairs up and stair down, so even wheels on your luggage don't make it easier.<BR><BR>I don't know if you will find a porter <BR>(facchino) available at 11pm or so.<BR><BR>I have a file on Venice; if you'd like to see it, email me.

Definitely get EXACT directions to <BR>your hotel. Several years ago I was in <BR>Venice for the first time and stayed at<BR>the Europa-Regina. Arriving late at night at the train station I had no idea where to go but they had someone meet us and tell us which stop to get off. We saw it as we passed on the water taxi and were able to get there easily. The next night at Harry's Bar we heard stories of poor tourists spending hours late at night trying to find their hotel which was stuck away down some alleyway. Be prepared. Venice is lovely but pickpockets love the nighttime arrivals.

Perhaps when I suggested having a good map, I should have clarified that IF you are good at reading maps, you shouldn't have much of a problem. It took about 5 minutes to figure out that distances in Venice are so short that we were walking by streets clearly shown on the map before we realized we were there. Once you get used to this, a map makes the city a piece of cake--IF you know how to use a map that is. Agree that part of the fun is getting lost, but there are also times that you need to get where you are going without detours, like late at night trying to find your hotel.

Call the hotel to get directions. Make sure to find out which vaporetti (water bus) to get.

Why you don't want to take a water taxi. It costs 50Euro, which is $75 to go anywhere!! Why you don't want to use one of the porters. It costs 50 Euro for a porter to take your bags from the vaporetti stop to your hotel, unless you are right next to stop, in which case you don't need a porter.

Taking a bunch of bags onto the vaporetti and then through the stairs and alleys of Venice from your stop is sheer hell!! BOTTOM LINE: If you're going to Venice, limit the number of bags you have.

I met a couple whose honeymoon was almost ruined because of this experience of getting to and from hotel with many bags. Either plan to pay some bucks for door-to-door service (water taxi, porter) or pack light.

Plan for some walking to get to your lodging in the bargain. The vaporetti's will charge you per bag unless you get the day pass or three day Venice pass that covers all buses for the day plus toilets and some attractions. The Venice pass is totally worth it if you have some bags and are traveling by bus to the train station or if you're getting around Venice a lot in a single day or day or two.

Best of luck! Kathryn