Venice,Bari and other questions...
 

My spouse and I are going to Venice for 2 nights before we take a 7 day med cruise. We will be staying at the Giorgione Hotel in the Cannaregio section of Venice and would like advice as to the most sensible and economical way of getting there from the airport without having to resort to the expense (over $US100.00) of a water taxi.We shall have to also commute between the Piazza Roma to pick up our shuttle for our cruise departure and then again when we return as well as we spend another night in Venice on the way back. A water taxi may be inevitable at some point but I would like to save the option only as a last resort.We shall each be carrying one medium suitcase on rollers and a shoulder bag.

Also on our cruise we are stopping in Bari,Katakolon and Dubrovnik but only for five hours on each stop and would welcome any suggestion of what we should see or do in these places to maximize and exploit our time there.

Any tips and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!Thanks!

HI
Each hotel in Venice is quite used to giving out explicit instructions about the nearest water bus (vaporetto) stop and how to walk to the hotel from there.
Do ask. I believe the Giorgione is not far from the Rialto Bridge, but I don't know the actual closest stop.
For airport info and transport, see
www.actv.it
The Alilaguna boat, a special airport water bus, is a popular choice, but it doesn't make as many stops as the vaporetto.

Thank you for replying.My understanding is though that one cannot catch the Vaporetto from the airport, only the Aliguna,is that correct?

If your cruise has an excursion from Bari to Alberobello (the Trulli district) I would consider taking that. If you want to stay in Bari, walk around the old city which is an interesting warren of small streets and alleyways. See the tomb of St. Nicholas in the church of San Nicola and the nearby cathedral and Norman castle.

yes, you are right
there are surface buses that will take you to Piazzele Roma or the train station and you can get vaporetti from there, but not a vaporetto from the airport.

Alilaguna's boat leaves from a pier just outside the arrivals terminal and cruises through the lagoon before finishing its run at San Marco. When you emerge from baggage claim and customs at Marco Polo Airport, you'll see a "Water bus" ticket booth. Buy a ticket and head for the large yellow waterbus at the dock next to the terminal. Allow 60-70 minutes from or to San Marco. Taxis are faster but if you have the time, your luggage is manageable, and the weather is fair, I think this longer ride is also a thrilling introduction to Venice. Have your camera accessible.

Thank you Grinisa for the tips in Bari.Thank you Elaine too for the info however, do you think a taxi to Piazza Roma and then a vaporetto to Ca d'Oro (the hotel stop) might be a sensible thing?

Of course it's sensible!!! This is Venice. Think water, at every opportunity. And it won't take very long. Just be able to handle your bags getting on and off the boats. Have a great trip.

Thank you,we will think water and hopefully not have too much a struggle with luggage on and off boats. Are they always very packed with people? Are there peak times to avoid?

One no longer walks directly from the terminal to the Alilaguna dock, but instead takes a shuttle bus. An easy trip (maybe five minutes) and it's free, but one more place to schlep your bags. When you buy your ticket in the airport you'll be directed to the shuttle bus stop.

Think public transit and tourists - how would it be in nyc or dc, for example? That will give you a clue. Also, consider the various routes - some are more popular than others.

About luggage: be sure you are ready to man-handle your bags onto and off the boat - along with all the other folks who will be boarding and off-loading. You need to be nimble at times. You'll get the hang of it. But you're advised to have one bag per person. Make it as easy as you can.

Don't worry about times of day. Just go when you go and don't worry about crowds. Just be prepared to get on and off the boat, and it will be lots of fun for you.

Go to alilaguna.it for info on the water bus service from the airport. There appear to be 2 alilaguna lines. One makes more stops than the other. If the stop you want for your hotel is Ca D'Oro, it looks to me like you'd be better off taking the boat that stops at San Zaccaria & transfer from there to Ca D'Oro (on the actv.com site for the vaparetto, it says there's no direct service between San Marco & Ca D'Oro. You'd have to change boats at the Accademia stop which would be a pain). I agree with Elaine. Ask the hotel for best advice. The person who sells the alilaguna tickets at the airport will also know if you tell him where you're going.

It makes NO sense to spring for the water taxi & THEN have to take a vaparetto. If you take the water taxi, the main benefit is getting door to door service. If the Giorgione is on a canal, they will drop you right at the door. If not, you'll at least be as close as possible & avoid a second boat ride.

So your 3 options from the airport are a taxi door to door, a land bus (schedules & info also on alilaguna.it I think) to P. Roma & then vaparetto to Ca D'Oro or alilaguna to best vaparetto stop & then vaparetto to Ca D'Oro.

Have a great trip!

I completely agree with mclaurie, either bite the bullet and do a water taxi the whole way, or do the Alilaguna.
Don't be afraid of the boats and your luggage as long as you can roll it on and off the boats. Even if it's crowded, you'll manage. Many many people do it all the time, and I still think that first long boat ride has something to be said for it, if it's a nice day. On the other hand, the water taxi is certainly easier.

Many thanks to everyone for your sound advice!

Trevor