I am planning a trip to Rome, Florence and Venice this end of May beginning of June and have heard a rumor that Venice will be closed to tourists. Of course this is freaking me out since I already have a plane flight out of Venice and a hotel reservation there. I heard that you have to have a visa to visit Venice this summer. I can't find any information to confirm this but am still a little nervous. Has anyone else heard this? Will I have any trouble going to venice with only my passport.

In the form that you have heard it, the "closing" of Venice is an urban myth.

For years, the city of Venice has contemplated either a) closing Venice to day trippers, i.e., to anyone who does not have a hotel reservation in Venice, or b) making all visitors, whether day trippers or overnight visitors, pay an admission fee. Perhaps the city will actually get around to doing one or the other or both of these things.

Venice is not an independent nation; it cannot issue or demand visas. It can demand admission fees.

Since tourism is the life blood of this dying city, restricting it would be the final straw. Don't look for it happening soon. Or ever.

Robespierre: Agreed, tourism is the life blood of Venice, but not all tourism. It has been proven that 80% (I believe that was the percentage) of the tourists are day trippers who spend almost nothing in the city; at most, they buy a sandwich and a Coke, dropping sandwich wrapper and can wherever it suits them. On a per capita basis, each individual resident of Venice has to pay for cleaning up after (again an approximation 263 visitors.

Under those circumstances, it would not surprise me a bit if Venice did restrict tourist access to the city.

I have no idea how a colon became a smiley face; it is not a laughing or even smiling matter.

Where did you "hear" this ridiculous trash? or are you simply bored today?

Actually, this is true. But don't worry. It doesn't make any difference because beginning May 1, all trans Atlantic travel is being stopped, so you won't be able to get there anyhow.

I'd suggest you go to Disney World instead, but unfortunately they will be closing that to everyone for the months of May, June, and July to repaint it.

Eloise, it's not a <b>:</b> that becomes a smiley face. It's a <b>:)</b>