We are going to be traveling to Venice October 7th thru the 12th.....we are booked at Locanda Oseolo. Does anyone have any experience/comments on this hotel? Also, it's my first time...any suggestions re: highlights, cafes, shopping etc? Grazzi!!

Just put Locanda Orseolo in the search box here or look it up on Trip Advisor and you will find many glowing recomendations for this wonderful hotel. We stayed there for 4 nights in March 2005 and suffice it to say, wouldn't think of staying anywhere else on a return visit to Venice.

I just got back from Italy and Venice was our first stop. It was by far my favorite part of the trip. Enjoy!

I posted a review on Fodor's Monday or Tuesday. There was one restaurant in particular that we loved, but I forgot my notes at work. I think the name and location of the restaurant are in my review.

Hi

I don't know anything about the hotel...have you looked at the feedback on TripAdvisor? (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...ce_Veneto.html )

My wife and I went to Venice a couple of years back and I have posted a trip report with pictures on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/italy_venice.htm . Maybe you can find some useful info there Have a great trip

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

Haven't stayed there myself, but everyone here on Fodor's who has... loves the place.

On the outside chance that you might not be in Piazza San Marco at night, make a point of doing it. The dueling bands from the various cafes is enchanting. Even if you don't sit at a table (the drinks are a little pricey), you can enjoy the music.

I thing it's worth the price for the drink. After all, how many times in a lifetime will you pass this way? I actually saw a waiter chase away a woman who sat down at a table with a big bottle of water. He was indignant!! The sky will look like velvet above you. Prego!

We didn't sit at the table and have a drink, but we did sit at the far end on the stone steps with a Coca-Cola Light and/or gelato in the evenings. It was a very nice way to end the day.

And if the idea of all those pigeons in St. Mark's freaks you out, you should know that they're off duty after dark. (Does anybody know where they go?)

Hi Wendy53 ~

Locanda Orseolo is wonderful. The location is fantastic and the owners are the sweetest people. Click on my name and scroll down to our Italy trip report if you would like to read our review. There are also restaurants and highlights within the report.

Have fun, it is such a beautiful and unique city, Tiff

You're in for a treat. Have a wonderful time!

The gang at LO have good recommendations for dinner and will call the places to make reservations for you.

We've enjoyed Osteria Antica and a few other small places around town. I like Aqua Pazza (more then my husband does) but be warned; portions are larger than at many restaurants.

If you are up early and jet lagged go to San Marco; it is really neat early in the day! Try to be in the piazza on the hour to watch the bells ring and the clock change.

I recommend a vaporetto pass and some wonderful rides on the water (you can review the routes schedule on line before you go I believe).

I really llike Desoduro for shopping for glass items (a couple of neat shops not far from Accademia bridge) and paper products (a wonderful shop just on the way to the Guggenheim, near the Guggenheim museum shop). A couple of nice cafes on the way to the museum too--which is closed Monday). Rialto outdoor market has some interesting finds though (I go there for some of the glass candies).

By the way there's a cute little cafe just outside the courtyard where LO is where a lot of the gondoliers stop for their espresso. (The menu is funny--it includes "American weak coffee"!)