Click on my user name and you will find some excessively long Venice trip reports.

On a map, draw a line from Piazzle Roma to the San Basilio vaporetto stop on the Zattere. Do not stay anywhere west of that line, as it is a rathe colourless area. Don't stay anywhere east of the Arsenale, as this is a fair way from the sites you might want to visit.

If you can, find a place near Campo San Giacomo. The campo is alive with kids in the evening, and there is a supermarket in the campo, and a family friendly pizza place very near there. The pizza place is the Ai Oche.

Arriving - take the Alilaguna ferry from the airport. It is a five minute walk from the air terminal to the Alilaguna dock. You can take a baggage trolley from the terminal to the dock - you need a one or two euro coin to liberate the trolley. The Alilaguna ferry takes about 3/4 hour to get to Venice proper, and your kids will doze off on the ferry.

Take the train from Venice to Florence - it is quicker than driving, and very comfortable. The trip is about two hours, there is Wi-Fi on the train and refreshments are available on board (probably). You will have at least ten minutes in Venice to find your seats, as Venice is a terminal station. Ditto for Florence, which is also a terminal station, so there is no rush to alight. It is a good idea to buy your tickets the day prior to travelling, as trains can book up and you might not get four seats together.

If you are near San Giacomo, the closest Alilaguna stop is at San Stai, which is also a vaperetto (waterbus) stop. If you are in Dorsoduro, the nearest Alilaguna stop is Ca' Rezzonico.

Distance from a vaporetto stop is not such a big deal, but the number of bridges can be a hassle.

The area around Campo San Barnaba and Campo Margerita is also a good area to stay, perhaps not as child- friendly as San Giacomo.

good advice from Peter, the man who knows.

Any tips for the Sant'Angelo area, Peter? it's going to be my home in Venice for a week starting Saturday. I'll be at the language school in Campo Margerita in the mornings but after that, my time is more or less my own. I'm thinking of following the walks in Venice for Pleasure, possibly with a side trip to Padua one afternoon if I feel adventurous. [sorry to highjack your thread, megpat].

Pleased to see that you are already planning to travel light - I'm sure you'll be grateful that you did as you try to lug your bags over yet another bridge!

I don't get to Venice enough to know if it is local slang to drop the "santa" in Campo Santa Margherita, but if anybody drops that "h" in Margherita, it changes the pronunciation. I only add this knowing that you are students of Italian, and therefore would take the note in stride.

Hi Ann, I think there is a shop selling lovely women's blouses at the south end of Camp Sant'Angelo. Take a look inside the Church of San Stefano which you will pass as you walk to school. It has a great "ship's keel" roof. From Campo Sant'Angelo to Campo Margerita is about 15 minutes, maybe a bit more.

The snack bar Toletta, which you will pass on your way, does great baguettes, (Four euro a pop) and the Toletta bookshop is amongst Venice's best.

The bar just over the canal from the Church of San Trovaso does a great lunch. Chicetti at 1.20 a piece, wine about 3.00. If you want to take your meal outside by the canal, ask for the wine in plastique.

You might see a sign to Wellingtons Books, near Campo Sant'A. English language, catering to the British diaspora.

Enjoy Padua. I think I've recommended the Botanical Gardens there. Smaller than Kew, but very old. Medicinal plants, also a section devoted to poisonous plants.

Pity we won't be in Venice to meet you. Well, next time maybe ...

Sandra, there are signs in Campo M, both with and without an "h", so who knows.

Bit early for a margerita here at 11:30, but I can forsee a spritz.

For what it's worth, my Hallweg map has it as Campo Santa Margherita, so my spelling is wrong.

And thanks for your advice re Reggio etc, and the historical insight into Venice vs Genoa.

Brill, thanks, Peter. just what i need to get me started and i have copied and e-mailed your remarks to myself.

as you say, a real pity that you won't be there. I'm not sure if I'll get to Padua - i'm taking Venice for Pleasure with me [hang the extra weight] and am planning to follow Mr Links' suggested perambulations at least for a day or two. Have you ever done so? his mixture of art, architecture and gastronomy leavened with not a little gossip appeals to me, or does so from the comfort of my sofa. whether the charm will persist once I'm on the ground remains to be seen. It also depends on the weather - the lure of the Orta is somewhat diminished if it's raining [which is not forecast] or freezing cold [which is].

Sandra - you are of course quite right- the H after the G in Margherita hardens the sound, making it sound like the flower; without it it would be pronounced like Marge [as in Simpson]

Peter, while we're about it, the same applies to the Cs at the beginning and in the middle of Cicchetti - the lack of an H softens the first one, so it is indeed pronounced Ch, as in Church, and the addition of an H after the second and third ones hardens the sound so that is pronounced as in kick. [i'm sure you know this, but it seems that pedantry is catching].

Just a quick suggestion about transportation to your apartment. If there's a dock anywhere nearby, I'd opt for a water taxi over the Alilaguna.

I think the Algna is about 15 euros/pp, so you're going to end up spending 60 euros and probably have to end up walking a bit to your apartment. A water taxi is about 100 euros. For me, after a long flight and with two kids, the convenience is well worth the 40 euros. Plus, the kids will love it.

Sadly, Wellington Books ceased operation in January.

To revisit the rental car question: I read the topic to imply that the family were getting on the train in Venice, getting off in Florence, picking up the car in Florence, and then going on to another location.

Now it seems to me to read that the family will get the train in Venice, get off in Florence, make their way via bus or taxi to the Florence airport, and then get the car.

I honestly can't see how that would be easier to less time consuming than picking up the car at Ple. Roma and driving to the Tuscany destination.

Am I reading this wrong?

thanks for letting me know that, cicchettigirl. got to love those repeated consonants!