Venice - Trip Report - Overcoming getting lost everyday
 

Hello everyone. Back from my first visit to Venice, which is now my favorite large city in Europe. It is oh, so beautiful.

If anything I took away from getting around this lovely city is the benefit to staying at hotel on the Grand Canal and a having a GPS device.

As much fun as my husband and I have getting lost (always find something neat and unexpected) it does get old after a few days. It is extremely difficult to navigate Venice due to the lack of street names on buildings or not having a clear view of the horizon because the buildings are so close together. In addition many towers look a like and just when you think you have made it out of the maze you realize it's a different tower than the one near your hotel!

In addition once it gets dark it gets even more difficult to find your destination because there no street lights. Areas are illuminated by lights coming from stores or restaurants.
Walking down one on the hundreds of alleys in total darkness was uncomfortable to say the least. We were there in mid-October and learned to head back to our hotel before the sun set.

Bottom line - bring a GPS device or rent one there, especially if you are on a cruise and have to return to the ship by a specific time.

Having a hotel on the Grand Canal also makes it easier to find your hotel. If your lost and near a water taxi station or bus hop on and soon you'll be back in your room.

Fantastic city and we are planning to return next year.

Makes one wonder how people navigated before GPS tech!

Getting lost is a major part of the charm of Venice, while I agree if your not sure of the area it can be a little unnerving at night all you need is a small flash lite. GPS may or may not be the answer, I have a garmin and in several cases it failed to take into account canals or wants to take you way way out of your way. By staying in at night your missing a lot. Take a night walking tour to get yourself familiar with the city.

GPS is not reliable in Venice. There's plenty of info on the internet from photographers and pilots about the dead zones. Too many streets and canals are too narrow.

If you truly care about navigation in Venice, whether you enjoy getting lost or not, you must carry a great map. Unfortunately, most of the best maps from the last 20 years are out of print. My current favorite is from an Italian publisher and only comes in book form.

My husband and I manage very well in Venice without a GPS.

We have always used Streetwise Venice Map.

However, I have to Venice so many times I very seldom have to refer to a map.


Thin

Nancy,

Perhaps you could tell us some of things that you did and liked on your trip.

Thanks.

I've been in Venice for two months and I still get lost! The novelty does wear off at a certain point.