We just returned from a trip to Italy, which started off in Venice. While I loved the history of the city (and the approach to it from the airport via water taxi), I'm afraid I don't feel compelled to go back. I found the people were not friendly, the food was terrible/pricey and my fellow tourists were practically frenzied while shopping in San Marco. What I did like - the Piazza at night, with the musicians (it was very balmy the first two evenings, the final night it poured rain and the piazza flooded) and the tours of the Doge's Palace, Museo Correr and the Basilica. So, while I would not go back, I think it is something to be experienced once.

Why revive a 6 year old thread to post this?

Since it was revived, I have to say I enjoyed re-reading it.

I hate those old threads revived years later.What is the point?
Start a new one if you have something to say.

I am struck that lately so many really OLD threads have been topped by brand new members. One about Florence topped earlier today was from <u>2000</u>. <i>How</i> do they find 'em?

They either start doing a search or they remembered them from long ago.

Also I have seen members tell new members to look back at old threads to find information rather than asking the same questions.

I'm not surprised people call Venice "a Disneyland for adults." The only previous experience some people have of a big enjoyable "town" without cars is Disneyland. By saying Venice is a Disneyland "for adults", they are saying that it is real, or has adult interest, it's not an artificial entertainment for kids that adults can see through.

It's also true that the gondola "rides" (that aren't going anywhere) are rather reminiscent of Disneyland, and long waits to enter things like the "secret" Doge's palace tour is like Disneyland too. In Venice, there are people walking around dressed up in costume, posing with tourists for photos, like Mickey and Minnie. There are all these souvenir shops with masks and puppets and tiny glass unicorns. So many people go on and on about the "magic" of Venice, after awhile it does begin to sound like they went to "the Magic Kingdom."

>>LSky:They either start doing a search or they remembered them from long ago.<<

Since these are first time/only time posters it isn't very likely they 'remember' anything on Fodors. And a search on Fodors or Google would have brought up thousands of relevant hits before finding one from 12 years ago.

>>Cindywho: Also I have seen members tell new members to look back at old threads to find information rather than asking the same questions<<

Again - these have mostly been BRAND new posters who haven't asked anything or been advised to do anything. And again - if they did search here (even the advanced search function) this 2006 Venice thread or the 2000 Florence thread would have been MANY pages down the search results list.

I am just honestly curious HOW they manage to dig up these ancient threads

(I've asked this before but the 'newbie top-ees' have never come back to shed any light . . . it might even help us figure out how to find really old/missing threads)

Very interesting - and such a mystery. Where is Sherlock Holmes when you need him?