My husband and I will be going to Venice from June 14-18, 2007. It will be part of a 31-day trip that will also include London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Rome (Venice is our last stop before flying home).

So, here's the thing: I am **EXCITED** about the other destinations - but I'm a little less excited about Venice. I still can't wait to see it, and still daydream about it, but not like the other cities.

This is in part based on the ideas (probably wrong!) that I have about Venice being like a Disneyland set, over-run with tourists. Also, in part based on the fact that it doesn't seem like there's all that many "attractions" there. Don't jump all over me, let me explain! DH and I are NOT the type of people that spend our vacations just touring museums, cathedrals, and the like, running from one sight to the next with all the other tourists. We LOVE spending time just walking and looking at buildings, sitting in parks or cafes, and experiencing the culture of wherever we are.

For some reason, though, it seems like 4 days of walking around Venice, looking at things, might be just a *tiny* bit long. I'm just hoping that we're not wishing that we'd spent more time in, say, Rome while we're actually in Venice.

(For the record, we've got about a week each in London, Paris, and Rome + 3 days in Amsterdam and a couple in the Loire Valley.)

Sooooo...Tell me why you *love* Venice... Why it frequently came up as being people's #1 "magical place" in a past thread... While I am excited about seeing Venice, I want to be EXCITED about it instead.

I love Venice because I love "spending time just walking and looking at buildings, sitting in parks or cafes, and experiencing the culture of wherever we are."



Hub and I just got back from our second trip to Venice. Yes it's overrun with tourists but for me it's a case of seeing past the tourists to the charm that Venice still has.

The high ratio of tourists to local Venetians does mean that it's harder to experience genuine culture or to have so many encounters with genuine locals but we still had some great experiences.

The architecture of Venice is stunning and we found so much pleasure in just strolling around admiring it.

We didn't visit a single museum (though we did the Guggenheim on our first trip and had planned to visit again but since we kind of just go with what we fancy doing at the time we often don't do all the things we've thought about before the trip).

We went into a few churches just to see but certainly not that many.

We just enjoyed the visual feast of the city and also some lovely meals.

I'd strongly recommend you don't just head from tourist-book site to tourist-book site (the Rialto Bridge is probably my least favourite part of Venice) but simply wander around the various districts into the smaller alleyways and just look, grab a gelato and sit and admire the view.

My favourite area remains Castello which is much more residential and local than other parts of Venice. I also enjoy walking around Dorsoduro, San Polo and Cannaregio. Infact most of the areas that aren't immediately adjacent to a major sight!

That said, I do love St Mark's Square too and how much more tourist-book can one get?

I'm sure you'll find plenty to charm you in Venice!

My goodness!

That is a question!

I fell in love with Venice at first sight.
There are some photographs from my last visit at http://sylvia.photoblog.me.uk/c554610.html

Venice is one of those cities whose presence is felt in history, literature and art.
I suppose that you could appreciate it to a certain extent if you had never seen a Turner or a
Canaletto, never heard music by Vivaldi, never read "The Stones of Venice" or "Death in Venice", never heard of Lord Byron etc.etc.etc., but all those things help with the magic.

Don't forget that you can also explore the islands like Torcello, Murano and Burano.
There will be many tourists in June, but once you are away from Saint Marks and the Rialto, you'll find far fewer.
The numbers also thin down a lot in the evening when all the day trippers have left.

Oh and whilst Murano didn't do that much for me (though probably worth visiting for a couple of hours if you fancy it) I love Burano. Even with lots of tourists it's a beautiful place to wonder around.

The unique city. I'm going to be very surprised if you don't fall in love with Venice. Based on your and DH's preferences, the city is made to order for you. Walking the neighborhoods, looking at architecture....yep, you're both going to be grinning!

I have been to each city you listed and would go again in a flash. Outstanding cities; incredible cities. I bet you will have a difficult time choosing a favorite...and Venice will be in the running!

Venice is one of the most romantic cities in Europe. There is so much to do and see there you won't touch the surface in 4 days. Unfortunately you will be there with the crowds at that time of the year but make the most of it. Take a gondola ride (touristy but a must for first visit, go to a Ventian Glass factory (they even ship home your purchases) take the Vaporetta (sit in front seat) and explore the islands, shop at Rialto market, soak up the atmosphere in Piazza San Marco, there is Jazz "900" at Campiello del Sansoni in San Polo or a Vivaldi concert in Santa Maria della Pieta (the church where the maestro taught), Lace Making and crafts at Burano and the mask maker at Tragicomica Calle del Traghetto Vecchio, leather bags to die for at Mazzon Le Borse at San Polo. Have a Bellini at Harry's Bar (Ernest Hemingway's watering hole) or a caffe latte and slice of famous chocolate torte from Dolce and Dolcezee.
I can't believe you wouldn't want to go into Basilica San Marco, Doge's Palace, Accademia Galleries or see the Peggy Guggenheim collection. Walk along Riva Degli Schiavoni at sunset and get lost in all the little alleyways and bridges. But I guarantee you will love it as much as I do.
Just to make you jealous I will be there for 4 days in November without the tourists!

I have been to Venice 7 times and will go again this fall. It is my husband's version of heaven! We have been several times for long weekends, because it is such a great place for 3 or 4 days. As far as crowds of tourists, the wonderful thing about Venice is that if you walk just one street over from the crowds, you can find yourself completely and eerily alone. As far as lots of sites to see, the city of Venice IS the site!

I agree that Venice will be a very successful place for the kind of traveling you like to do. There are a great many "must sees" for those who like ticking off the sights from a list, but you will be much happier with a good map and just walking around.

I do think you should visit two of the four following: Accademia or Guggenheim plus St Marks or Doge's Palace. All are well worth a visit and visiting only two of them will not tax your patience.

Yes, there will be a lot of tourists in June, but you won't have the fog and acqua alta of November. Once you are off the beaten path, you can wander for hours without seeing many fellow tourists.

Cadogan publishes a good guide with many walking tours. Actually, the Rick Steves guide is not bad for exploring interesting neighborhoods, but you will find yourself walking and dining with the dreaded White Sneaker Set.

Be sure to get up and visit the fish and vegetable markets, and enjoy watching all the "trucks" making pickups and deliveries all over the city, including UPS or Fedex (I forget which) and the garbage man, all in boats!

I am a Venice lover. See St Mark's square but then wander. Go toward the Rialto Bridge but go past it ans see what you wil find. The prices are lower for food and trinkets. The Castello region is very nice. My advice is just wander. For instance, picture yourself wallking down a narrow little lane and then coming around a corner to a beautiful square with fountains and people just sitting and talking. Take your time and explore. You can't get lost, you are on an island.

I think your trip sounds great. Lucky you. Venice is a little theatrical, but still great. 4 days is, in my opinion, perfect. One thing you will appreciate after your time in all those big cities: Venice has no traffic. You will walk and walk without worrying about being run over by reckless drivers. It is also relatively small so you can walk it fairly easily (just try not to go over the Accademia bridge too many times a day, that can be tiring.) Spend a day or two exploring the islands if that appeals. They are also unique and wonderful.

I think you will be surprised. Venice is perfect for what you describe. I am not a museum- cathedral- going person either (have been to Venice twice, 4-5 days each time).

It does not strike me as Disney-esque in the least. It's so darn old and funky with all that water, stains, antiquity, buildings in less that mint condition.

Venice is perfect for wandering, cafe sitting, aimlessly getting lost. I did not ride a gondola, but did very much enjoy the vaporetto that goes on the Grand Canal. I saw San Marcos, bridge of sighs, Rialto, etc. just from the outside while walking past.

If you find yourself bored (which i'm guessing you won't) you could add a trip by boat out to the cemetary island, or the Lido, or one of the other islands.

Things I enjoyed included: finding the grocery store, visting the post office, one amazing local hardware store where I found 'souveniers', a neighborhood wine shop, the church in my own neighborhood (Doroduro)... like that.

Hi Tara3056 ~ I posted this thread "Why do you love Venice" when we were planning our itinerary.

It continues to be one of my favorites threads, everyone's replies were so descriptive.

Click and enjoy:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34604835

The Disney reference is important and in many ways part of the charm of Venice. Doidney is for many adults and most children a place that is maical, un real, full of mystery and fun. So too is Venice. The important difference is that Venice is real, people live, love and die in the magical city. As others have suggested enjoy the sights, but also just sit back and be part of Venice. She is one of this plantes most special cities .... enjoy!!!

We visited Venice for the first time this past June. It is very different than any other place. I have a love/hate feeling about it now. I think the turning point was a guided walking tour where our Venetian guide pointed out that so many of the eerily empty streets are that way because most Venetians have abandoned their city. The young people have moved to the mainland where it is less expensive and more convenient to live. She also told us that the mayor of Venice has said that he now considers it a Disneyland of sorts and a place only for tourists. She also talked about the very real demise of the city as the water takes over. It sort of creeped me out. I don't know. I prefer Rome but there is magic there for sure.

Thank you all for your responses - I'm still poring over them! That said, a special thanks to Tiff for pointing out the previous Venice thread. I *though* I recalled a similar thread before, but for whatever reason, could NOT find it. So thanks so much for the link!

I have been to Venice twice and get tired of it after 1 day. It is full of tourists and wall to wall shopping. It is a very charming place but very commercial. I was disappointed.

Venice is made to order for the things you like to do. It is a stunning city that feeds all of the senses. Just wander - get into the alleys, go beyond the tourist crowds, get lost and find your way back to something familiar. Visit mask shops, not the touristy ones near the grand canal, but the ones you have to find where you can watch the artists work. By all means, visit Burano and if you are into glass, Murano is worthwhile too if you seek out the workshops to watch the artisans. Have a great time.

"full of tourists" is only at certain central areas of the city, just walk away into the more residential neighborhoods

My husband and I have been to Venice twice and are leaving for Greece in two days - but I keep wishing that we were headed back to Venice! I remember last fall walking back from St. Mark's Square at night. We found ourselves totally alone in a medium size plaza - to look around the plaza and see all the history - and not another person in site was magical. Hopefully you will stay on a quiet little street as we did - have a wonderful little bakery around the corner and just get lost walking and walking and walking.
Riding the vaporetto - many times - and looking at all the beautiful palaces on the Grand Canal. Sitting in St. Mark's Square at night drinking a very expensive glass of wine while listening to the "orchestras".
I could go on and on.
I am just hoping we love Greece even half as much as we love Venice!