Hi all. I just received an e-mail that the apt. in Venice that we booked has a broken air conditioner, so they switched us to another location/apt.

The description says "mobile air conditioning". What does that mean?

Actually, I was nervous about the apt. we booked b/c it was a 3rd story studio with high ceilings and I wondered if it would be hot, even though it had A/C. I am thankful they are not going to give us an apt. without A/C.

The location they indicate is: closest public boat stop/s (vaporetti): Arsenale, San Marco/San Zaccaria.

Thanks.

> Mobile Air Conditioning?

I think that's what it says. Mobile - movable air-con. A Simple google search gets you this. Getting polular in Europe in last years due to extremely hot summer.
http://www.google.ch/images?q=mobile...N&hl=en&tab=wi

>"mobile air conditioning"
= wheels and some place to attach the tube for the hot air.

It's an air conditioner on wheels that can easily be moved from room to room. There was one in Coco's flat in Dijon.

I guess I should have more appropriately asked:

does it work well?

Yes! If the windows are closed, you attach the tube and they've drilled holes for the hot air.

Oh, thank goodness.

I was nervous about booking an apt. (v. hotel), and also nervous about not having A/C b/c I've heard about how hot Venice can be in the summer. We do not use our A/C in our home a lot, but I do like A/C in our bedroom on hot nights.

You will find that most a/c in Europe (mobile or otherwise) doesn't work like the forced air/high volume/freezing cold systems in the States.

Even places w/ a/c won't necessarily be cool/cold. But at least having a mobile unit means you can place in the sleeping area.

(Not quite sure why you wouldn't want high ceilings. Hot air rises so a room w/ tall ceilings can be substantially cooler than a smaller room.)

Those mobile DeLonghi units will freeze off your behind if properly installed and there's enough electric energy to operate them

Maybe someone can give me their thoughts on this situation. Here is the apt:

http://veniceapartments.org/castello...drelli_58.html

The mobile unit is permanently placed in the living room. "In any case the owner fixed it in the in the living room at the first floor (where the bedrooms are), to avoid it goes broken. It's not possible move it but it should be enough for the beds."

They noted that the apt. I had originally booked was a "hot" apt. since it was on the upper floor. Janisj - if you've ever been in an attic, it doesn't matter if there is a high ceiling, it's hot.

Additionally: if you would book a different apt., which organization would you recommend? I was using veniceapartments.org.

Thanks.

An attic and 'high ceilings' are pretty much opposite concepts IME. Yes - an Attic can be really hot. Maybe you had a language 'thing' w/ the owner. Maybe he meant top floor/attic-ish but said 'high ceiling' but meaning 'high floor'.

My main point was - few a/c units in residential apartments will be as powerful as yours at home. A fan and open windows is sometimes just as efficient.

They just don't tend to have forced air gales like we do in the States. Don't get me wrong, having a/c will be better than not - but maybe not by much.

Some of those mobile A/C units seem to be almost as loud as a jet engine, and therefore not condusive to a good night's sleep. I bought one once and had to take it back for a refund for this reason.

I always stay at this apartment while in Venice-

http://www.palazzofoscarini.com/pf/en/index.php

The apartment has AC and it works great. I have never been uncomfortable or heard the AC running. The apartment is in very nice location, located just off the Campo Santa Margarita in the very central Dorsoduro area.

The owner, Anna, has two other, larger apartments in the same area (in case the first is not available) and she is very good to work with.

Also my favourite has A/C: www.rosadivenezia.com

Did you ever see the robot in the original Lost in Space series? Cut off one of the robot's arms, hang the other one halfway out the window and that's your basic European air conditioner.

The problem is, when there's a warmer day, dad feels he should buy some A/C and goes to the hardware store. He sees this ugly huge thing and, since it's cheap, he buys it and takes it home. Then he reads the installation manual, which tells him to drill biggg holes into the window frame or even the wall. Mum says: "Are you nuts!", so dad mustn't do what he likes best, to drill... He then has an idea, "Why not just attach the "exhaust tube" and leave the window open". Then he swites to full power. The thing makes a lot of noise, but it won't get any cooler...

The next day, it'll be cold again. The thing will be standing there and will never be used again until mum says, "You really should bring that ugly thing to the recycling depot now"