pam

Decided Venice would not fit in to my trip last month to Italy. I have seen countless movies, travel programs,etc with Vencie as the focus and it has never moved me. Of course, I may adore it once I was there. You just can't tell. <BR>I find it quite interesting that anyone could not see the magic in Florence. <BR>I will cherish my visit there forever and actually find myself thinking about a street or a sound or a person I encountered along the way. <BR>The secret to Firenze in the summer is: <BR>wake up early and you have the place to yourself. I had at least two hours daily to feel as though I was one of the only people living there. <BR>It made all the difference. <BR>Everone's tastes are different..thank g-d. <BR>

curious

Just a suggestion to those who found Venice crowded and tacky. While I absolutely loved Venice, I did not like Piazza San Marco at all. We made a point of getting away from the crowds (easier than you think), even in May. Didn't spend more than the few seconds it took to breeze through the awful touristy shopping areas. There is so much more to Venice than the relatively small pocket of the tourist area. We had great maps and spent nearly all of our time in residential, non-tourist neighborhoods. We came upon many beautiful piazza's with not another sole in sight. The local outdoor food markets were also beautiful and fascinating. We asked the concierge specifically for good non-tourist restaurants - where he would go if he were on a date. We were not disappointed. Oh, and we did not take a Gondola ride. We just took the water taxi's everywhere! I've been to many European cities and Venice is by far my favorite. It really does seem magical.

Jean

We (a group of 10) visited Italy for the first time in early June, and we unanymously liked Venice the best. I definitely want to go back! Yes, it was pricey, but that magical feelin' was there for me. It was very crowded, but not smelly. <BR>We also liked Rome, but count me as one of the crowd underwhelmed by Florence. I would go back there, but it's not high on my list.

Mr. Go

I stand corrected. This thread got a whole lot more traffic than I ever imagined it would. I can't imagine someone not totally loving Venice...but hey, that's why they sell chicken in parts. <BR> <BR>Joanne, I apologize for my snotty one-word response (see response #1 in this thread).

Monica

I love Venice! I was there in 1998 in May when the crowds weren't as bad as the high tourist season. I'm returning there this November and look foward to wandering and getting lost. I find Venice magical!

Frank

I think you can discount anyone's negative opinion of Venice who visits in the dead of winter or the heat and crowds of mid June through early September. I couldn't see enjoying sightseeing almost anywhere when the weather is at it's extremes. Venice is a water city and as such I wouldn't relish plying the canals in cold and inclement weather and really expect to get the true Venice experience. Likewise the heat and humidity of summer, along with the crowds and stench of the canals would surely dampen my enthusiasum for the city. We visited this past May and thought the city was glorious. We spent 4 nights and had perfectl sunny weather in the high 70's. The crowds were nowhere near as large as Florence which we had visited the previous May. Being a water city, it was great to experience all of the different means of transport from the alilaguna to the gondolas and everything in-between. We visited the outlying islands, cruised the Grand Canal, plied the small side canals, all with great weather sans smell. <BR> <BR>We decided to make Venice a standalone trip, 4 nights in and out from New York and were glad we didn't dilute the experience the previous year by adding it on to the end of our Rome & Florence trip. <BR> <BR>Great hotel with good location, excellant food, friendly locals, and magical destination gave us a trip of a lifetime. We too are afraid to go back because it will be a very hard act to follow.

carol

This is for Vanessa re the graffiti. I'm sorry to report that the graffiti is all over Venice, but particularly in the less-travelled areas of Dorsoduro, the Zattere, Canneregio--which is what makes it so dreadful for me, because these are the parts of Venice I love. If you stick to most famous tourist sites, you won't see any. On the other hand, I must report that the friend I was with, who was seeing Venice for the first time, was so excited about the city that she never even mentioned the graffiti.

nancy

<BR>Thinking of Venice for next trip to italy, so topping this. <BR>Comments interesting, but as one poster said <BR>"That's why they sell chicken in parts"

Beth Anderson

I went to Venice alone, and in the wintertime. Many people would think, oh she's nuts, why would anyone want to go to such a romantic place in the off season, without a boyfriend/SO? <BR> <BR>well, I am here to tell you - I loved it. absolutely loved it. I wantedto weep around ever corner, I thought it was that beautiful. You just have to open up your mind and imagination, get past the tacky stuff they sell (and yes, there is plenty of that too) and look under the surface if you need to. I felt very at peace there. It was not crowded at all. New Years Day I had Piazza San Marco COMPLETELY to myself (at 830 AM). <BR> <BR>It was bright sunny and I still dream of Venice. <BR> <BR>please read World of Venice by Jan Morrison either before or after you go, or both. you will be amazed... <BR> <BR>if nothing else, think of the LOGISTICS of living there. even just thinking of providing the type of govt'l services we take for granted cannot help but amaze me (ok so not romantic, but still - leaves you speechless.) I mean, the ambulances are boats. They come get you on a stretcher. You want something, you carry it. this includes couches, TV sets, computers - all the 21st century stuff we completely take for granted - why is this amazing? because you feel like you have stepped back in time... all this stuff is an anachronism. it doesn't belong there, yet it is there. <BR> <BR>I was mesmerized by watching the adorably cute young man, tie up and tie down the vaporetto "O-ttante.....due" as he called it out to the crowd... <BR> <BR> and I fell in love watching the local firefighters (yep, they have them there too - all that water doesn't leave Venice impervious to fire you know!) fall out of a cafe midday - down those narrow streets you have no choice but to follow the crowd and them to your destination... <BR> <BR>look closely. you will see a real town there. not just tourists, and not just touts or others out for your money... <BR> <BR>do I want to go back? you betcha. who knows, maybe I will make this New Years thing a tradition... <BR> <BR

Shell

I'm planning a one-night (perhaps...might just take a night train in and back out again!) trip to Venice. I've been all over northern europe, but never to Italy, and have heard so much about Venice...I feel I must go! <BR> <BR>Your experiences.....what month were they in? I'm going to be there during October.

Santa Chiara

Beth, <BR>Thanks for your wonderful description of Venice. I feel the way you do. Furthermore, I think Venice is one of the most accessible cities for single women. I live only about two hours away, so I zip up there for a day or long weekend. I have never, however, been there in the summer, and I don't plan to unless I must escort houseguests sometime in the future. Venice drugs me. When I am there, I am totally zoned out, mesmerized by the beauty, history and impossibility of the place. <BR> <BR>The dead of winter shouldn't be discounted either. Although I have been there when it was miserably cold and rainy, you can always duck into a cozy restaurant or bar. And you never know. I have been there in late November when the weather was so dazzingly clear and sharp, it broke your heart. <BR> <BR>I realize it's not for everyone. And no one should feel guilty if they didn't enjoy it. <BR> <BR>Florence is another issue. As a long-time Florence lover, I admit it has deteriorated rapidly over the last few years. However, it's hard to beat a cold, crisp November day, hot chestnuts on the street corner, a nice glass of chianti in a cozy bar, a long lunch of paparadelle with cinghiale or roast duck followed by shots of grappa.

nancy

thanks Beth, I knew I could count on you to revive my Venice interest <BR>Santa Chiara, Good to hear your view too, esp about florence. <BR>You paint a lovely picture! <BR>

eva

Read some good books on History,how was Venice built,how it gained power,lost power,how lived the doge etc.If you understand that Venice was different from any other european town ,I'm sure you will like it.Just try to avoid the tourist traps,and the crowds.I was there in May-my 10th visit -went to the Accademia at 9.15,I was the very first visitor,crowds came one hour later,the Doge Palace I visited after 5-open until 7pm-very few people,there were 100 people on San Marco at 8pm,was fabolous. Try to plan your trip.When I first time visited Rome I did not like St .Peter's ,it was too huge,over-decorated,too much gold,too much marble, etc.After that I read some books about history,arts,life of the popes,religious movements,and I could understand that St.Peter's had to be be huge and overdecorated,and next time I could enjoy it . <BR>Enjoy!

zz-top

! <BR>I like breasts. Obviously Eva prefers legs (CHICKEN PARTS REFERENCE !!!) <BR> <BR>Venice didn't send me, but Roma, ah, now she's a 'bella figura'. Love that city. And St. Peter's Basilica? Stunning, an incredible & outstanding architectural wonder.

Robin

There is a certin amount of luck and timing to how a given place hits you. I haven't been back to Italy since my first trip to Europe twenty years ago. I plan to go again next yeaar. Back then, I was underwhelmed by Venice, I appreciated Florence, and Rome knocked my socks off! But who knows if I will feel the same way again. <BR> <BR>The city I have experience revisiting is Athens. On the same trip in my youth I HATED Athens, but it had a lot to do with circumstances (I knew this even at the time). Three years ago I went to the islands, and anticipated just tolerating Athens on the way to my real destination. This time I loved the city. Not much had changed, but I saw some of the charm, and didn't have the negative experiences that had ruined the previous trip. <BR> <BR>So, while it is certainly possible that a given city or country is just not "your thing", it's also possible that fate conspired to disappoint you this one time. Now, whether you ever have the motivation find out if you might like it beter under other circumstances, that's another question! There are LOTS of places to go in this world!

Patti Suttle

I responded to this post earlier saying that my husband and I loved Venice. And we did! But, a thought occured to me while reading the other answers. Venice was our first city on our first trip to Italy. If you can imagine we flew from Los Angeles to Milan (via Chicago), took the shuttle into Milan Centrale and then right away took the train into Venice-that is a long day/s! <BR>So, after all that to arrive and have Venice unfold before your eyes at the train station-it was glorious! <BR> <BR>But, I want to say that sometimes people take travel too seriously. I tend not to. I just have fun!! I do silly things if I want to and laugh, laugh, laugh!!! So, for instance, at San Marcos Plaza I fed the pidgeons after seeing some kids doing it. It was the most freeing of experiences! I laughed and laughed. My husband took videos of me and could not wait to buy his own bag of feed and do it too. <BR>In Pisa, I did the silly pose that makes you look like you're holding up the Leaning Tower. It was great!! <BR>So much fun! And, the picture is a scream! Did I look silly? Yes. Do I care? No. But, did I have a blast-YES! <BR>And that is what matters! So, my point is: maybe just relaxing, going with the moment, not always acting your age, living life to the fullest, experiencing all Venice (or whereever) <BR>has to offer-thinking this might be my only time here-and not caring who is watching/what will they think-you will <BR>totally enjoy whatever place you are in. <BR>Just a thought..... <BR>Patti <BR>