Kavey

Please don't feel obligated - it's just my preference really. Anyway, BESTEST luck on the big search. I must have spent about 10 hours a day for two days on the initial search and contact and then a few hours in the following week...

LoveItaly

I agree Kavey, once a hotel has responded to ones inquiry it is polite to let them know whether you are going to make reservations with them or not.

I just wonder, unless one has tons of free time, if it is worthwhile (time is money) to spend so much time checking out hotels. Not critizing but I am truly amazed at the hours that are spent checking out and getting information on hotels.

lyb

Personally, in October I'm planning on 9 days in Venice. 3 years ago I was there for 1 1/2 day and knew that that just wasn't enough! Some people have said that my stay is too long, but I know that for me it won't be. I intend to go to the outer islands...wander aimlessly through the neighborhoods, sit back and enjoy the day.

I am considering taking a day trip to Padova, but I'll decide that when I'm there, because I just want to BE IN Venice!

When I'm having a bad day at work, the thought of my upcoming trip to Venice keeps me going......to spend only a few days there, to me, is like having just one peanut...how satisfying is that? Just makes you want to have more, more, more!!

Kavey

LoveItaly - it's just the way I love to plan... and as I've not had a trip to plan for aaages it was actually mostly fun. Plus it was a bank holiday weekend so, having booked the Venice flights (on impulse) on the Saturday night I spent Sunday and Monday doing the bulk of the research/ contacting...

LoveItaly

Oh Kavey, I wasn't critizing..I just don't have the patience..but with the euro being so strong against the dollar (the euro has gone up again) maybe I should get with the program and check things out better as you and so many do.

And lyb, 9 days in Venice, that works for me. The longest I have stayed in Venice is 7 nights, and always hated to leave than. I am one that can bounce around from spot to spot but my favorite trips is when I settle in and just enjoy where I am..as in 2 weeks in Agordo in the Dolomites for example. Most people would probably think "how boring". It was so perfect for me.

Kavey

Oh no, I know you weren't! I'm just one of those people who actually ENJOY having a trip to plan and so it was a pleasure - especially since the trip was booked completely on impulse that Saturday - hadn't been on the cards at all, infact husband wasn't even there when I booked it, he was at a beer festival and somewhat bemused when I rang to tell him!!!

LoveItaly

Hello Kavey, actually I really do need to pay more attention to what trips cost..and I learn a lot from posters like you. Do have a wonderful time in beautiful Venice, and think of me just once while you are enjoying a glass of wine and looking at the Grand Canal!

Venetian30

Hi Lyb - I hope you write a report when you get back. I'm also planning 9 days in Venice next Feb so it will be good to get your perspective. LOL, I just keep adding days as there is so much I want to do, but hate to rush around.

lyb

Venetian,

I will write a report, I promise. I like to read other people's report as well, because I often find things to do that I hadn't thought about. I also like to read them after I've been some place so that I can imagine being there through reading someone's report.

Kavey

LoveItaly, I think most of us can learn a little something from most others here which is one of the reasons I love communities/ resources like this. Even for places I've visited many times or spent hours and hours reading about and researching, I always find there's more to learn and I am always picking up ideas on how to make my trips even better - from the planning stages to the trip itself to better organising photos or journals! Will raise a glass to Fodorites (and members of other boards) when in Venice!

betsys

Just returned from 7 nights in Venice and didn't have enough time to see all we wanted to see. I like to concentrate on one place at a time. Have been in Italy 8 times, and Venice was one of the last on my list, cuz I'm not a water person, but it was fabulous, never a dull moment, and we are ELDERLY (75 and 77) but walked 3 miles or more perday, had a 7 day Orange Vaporetto pass and used it muchly. a terrific place full of history, shopping, great eating, all sorts of wonderful things. Try to stay as long as possible and drink it all in.

Maire

Betsy - Sounds like you had a wonderful, trip. Can't wait to see Venice.

lynclarke

For those who subscribe to long stays, like us, we just returned from a week (7 nights) in Venice. We thought we would have time to day trip to Padua and the Lido. Nope! We saw the highlights- Doges Secret Palace tour (very good tour-well worth the time and money), Murano and Burano, St Marks Square-dueling orchestras a must (never made it inside- we had reservations but for some reason it was closed- we never did figure out why),Jewish Ghetto (tour also very good and enlightening), DaVinci exhibit- very small, not worth it, campo sitting with people watching, and miles and miles of walking in the neighborhoods. We loved every minute of it. But, one of our top things was our apartment. It was wonderful to go "home" after a long day and have all the creature comforts- (beer and wine in the fridge. We loved sitting on our balcony listening to the church bells ring from Santa Margherita square while we ate breakfast. We loved trying the local foods in a couple of restaurants but we really got a huge kick out of the grocery stores, Billa. We tried their bottled spaghetti sauce,.65E liter box of wine, Genoan pesto, salmon pate in a tube, deli pizzas to go, new cheeses I can't remember the name of, those fruit and nut filled cookies (pan something- I haven't found the wrapper yet), several different sausages none of which was like the Salsicca we think of as Italian. There must have been 20 feet of shelf space dedicated to pastas and another 20 feet dedicated to olive oil. We looked forward to our supermarket trips as much as the tourist things. I guess the moral of my story is consider an apartment. It really makes the experience feel more like a local. lynclarke PS we stayed in Dorsoduro- pictures on their website www.realvenicevacationflats.com

Maire

Lyn - thank you - sounds like you had a wonderful time. I've already booked a hotel, but I plan on going to the grocery stores anyway. For some reason, they're one of the top things I want to see. Thanks for the tips on sightseeing. When do the dueling orchestras happen, every night? I learned on another thread about something called pan forte, maybe that's what you're thinking of?

Kavey

Lyn, I wanted to book an apartment for our September visit but a) my DH felt it wasn't so worthwhile for a short stay of 5 nights and b) our dates overlap the standard changeover dates so it was a bit of a no go... this time!

FlyingMaltese

I think Lyb was planning to go to Padua for a day. If you are sure of going to Padua, please book ahead a visit of the Scrovegni Chapel. We did that last year, and we did not regret it.

For some restaurants to consider, our "splurge" restaurant was at Cip's at the Cipriani. To arrive at the Cipriani, you take a private boat from their own private dock in front of the Danieli. The food was very good, and the panoramic view of the Doge's Palace across from the lagoon was impressive. The restaurant is outside in some very lovely grounds.

Also, I heard wonderful things about Harry's Bar and Da Fiore restaurant. Both those restaurants require reservations.

It sounds like you are going to have a great trip!