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None of the passes I listed include the Alilaguna. The passes are for local ACTV public transport, which includes the vaporetti and the local bus described.

For your hotel location Alilaguna would be very convenient with fewer changes of transport and for a first visit you might find it exciting. The times I've taken the Alilaguna I didn't find it all that wonderful a way to arrive, unless your hotel is right near one of the stops. I felt restricted by the schedule and my trip to San Marco seemed to take forever. But I have to been to Venice many times and so was feeling antsy to get there rather than enthralled by the ride.

On my recent visits to Venice I used the bus, but opted for the slightly faster ATVO blue bus to Piazzale Roma, but I was staying near San Stae so this was the better option.

I've also taken a private water taxi, which is indeed a magnificent way to arrive.

clifbob - just trying to illustrate that if you are going to get a pass just get the 72 hour one and use it for the bus. It will cheaper and more efficient than Alilaguna and a shorter pass or individual tickets. the time to get to San Marco will be about the same. The Alilaguna makes a couple of stops before arriving at Venice and takes about an hour. Alilaguna as a boat is nothing special. It is a bit narrower than the vapoeretti and is enclose with hard fiberglass seats.

As ellenem says, they all have trade offs. Do the way I suggested ACTV all the way and you'll have to change transport. Use Alilaguna and you'll have to walk to the dock at the airport and wait for the next boat. It's rare that you'll hit it perfectly.

We have done both ways and lately have just taken the bus.

You are in the sweet spot for the 72 hour pass because it will cover your whole time in Venice and it is less than the price of 5 rides.

dear eleenem,

where are you from? sounds like you have been to venice Numerous times. It's going to be my first. We are staying at teh Riva near the spanish steps. Any restaraunt recommnedations?

I am from NYC and have friends in Italy so visit there a lot--more than 20 times.

I think you're a bit mixed up. The Spanish Steps are in Rome. You're satying at the Hotel Riva, near San Marco. I would wander away from that area for dinner. there are plenty of theads here that discuss options.

clifbob - I didn't mean to sound grumpy or cross in my first message, but most of the time when I am planning, I get to the point where i just want someone to tell me what to do and not give meany more choices. It was sounding like you were getting there.

There are several threads on food in Venice. One of the best is Franco's favorites.

Depending on how you are feeling with jetlag etc when you finally get checked in, you are not too far from one of our favortie places in Venice. Osteria Al Mascaron in Castello. You would just walk over to campo Santa Maria Formosa and the Osteria is just a few meters off the campo. Here is a website review.

http://www.italylogue.com/planning-a...in-venice.html

If you google them, you'll see they aren't very far.

If you like shrimp, try the canoce if they have them when you get there. Absolutely wonderful!

dear eleenem,

You must have some favorite places to eat while in venice(I'm originaly from jersey)

My most recent favorites are near where I was staying on Santa Croce . . . Trattoria Nono Risorto, Trattoria al Ponte Megio, Osteria Vecio Fritolin, Osteria La Zucca, Trattoria Alla Madonna. My biggest criteria in Venice: turn you back to piazza San Marco and keep walking, the further the better.