Reading through the responses reminds me of a couple past threads .... one being the "Life Jackets on Gondolas in Venice?" --
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34476606
and the other, a trip report in which the author actually does confess to falling into a canal . . . TRIP REPORT – Rome, Venice and Northern Italy May 2005 TRIP REPORT – Rome, Venice and Northern Italy May 2005 TRIP REPORT – Rome, Venice and Northern Italy May 2005 TRIP REPORT - Rome, Venice and Northern Italy May 2005 -- http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34628464

Ellenem is right.... the biggest danger is paying too much for a bad meal! I've lived in NYC for 45 years... have been to Venice six times. Hope to go again!!
Favorite pasttime is finding my way down one of those dark alleys to Corta Sconta.. our favorite restaurant.
Buon viaggio! (My Italian is lousy...is that correct...anybody??)

Hi Arce,

When in May will you be in Venice? I posted a message http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34716171 about a possible get together while there (I arrive the 21st and fly home the 25th). One couple is arriving on the 24th and we're planning to meet for dinner. If you'll be in Venice when we are and are interested in getting together, let me know. It sounds like you are traveling solo - me too. I can't wait for this trip!!

Monica ((F))
[email protected]

Grandma- is the food at your restaurant in Venice as good as on 17th in NYC-LE ZOCCOLE? I love that restaurant and have not had a meal in Italy as good -and anywhere near the price. But am willing to try this summer, maybe....

Don't fall in one of those canals! Even if you are a good swimmer you won't look good getting out.

The biggest danger to watch out for is what happened to me.....you'll fall in love with it and NEVER want to leave...

I was wary of the dark, narrow alleys at first, and then came to realize they were quite safe. The biggest and best problem is gettting lost in those wonderful alleyways. A good map is advisable and a small flashlight to read that map at night. I met two nice girls from Australia one night. We were all a little lost. They told me they liked my New York accent. Accent, I have an accent?

I found the Veneticians to be very kind and very helpful if you have lost your way. By day 2 of my stay, I was moving around the alleys like a native. My husband always tells me I have no sense of direction, but I made it home, didn't I? I wish I was in Venice. Have fun when you go.

So have we finally concluded that there is NOTHING especially dangerous about Venice?

Indeed, that it makes NYC look like an inner ring of Hell by comparison?

And that we can all get on with enjoying it, instead of confecting imagined threats to our wellbeing?

FYI: I will soon be in Venice -- and meeting up with my New Yorker brother, who fearlessly visits Venice EACH year, with his wife, at this season...

Pickpockets, especially in crowded boats and near the Rialto. They're everywhere and work on teams of two or three, one or two crowding you while the others go through your gear and pockets. There's no other danger there.

the biggest danger is the temptation to spend a exhorbitant amount on a carnival mask or a murano glass unicorn...truly as there are not mamy people the actually live on the island anymore..kinda like new Orleans

It's true that many people have moved from historic Venice (the islands) to the mainland. Estimates of the current resident population run between 60-65,000.

But to keep this in perspective, historic Venice never had a huge population to begin with. At its height, probably 160,000 to 170,000. So there has been a truly significant decrease over the centuries, but it wasn't all that big even at its height.

IMO the most "dangerous" thing about Venice, other than the aforementioned pickpockets and the possibility of being adorned by the pigeons at San Marco is the possibility of never wanting to leave.

Venice felt very safe - the only thing that was annoying were the African street vendors in some of the squares, they could be very persistant.

Italyagain.....Don't know the restaurant you mentioned but Corte Sconta is primarily seafood. We've been there every time we visited Venice and were never disappointed. All friends who've gone on our recommendation enjoyed it too. There are people who give it thumbs down but I figure that helps keep the crowds away -:)It also gets lots of good reports here on Fodors.

zootsi-are they like the african street vendors by the Eiffel Tower in Paris??? If so, I can relate, they are a real pain in the patootee!!!!!

Just ignore the "street vendors", just like you would anyone begging and trying to bother you in any big city. No eye contact and no response to their comments.

I've never been troubled by street vendors.
If somebody so much as looks at their wares, they will try to sell them, but I just walk past without looking.
The only danger in my opinion is being ripped off by the restaurants near the Rialto.
We were staying in a hotel in the area and went into one when it was pouring with rain and we went for "any port in a storm".
The food was really mediocre and grossly over-priced.

Avoid sleepwalking.

Lord MacAlpine the famous British developement and construction magnate, had his house bombed by terrorists in England. He considered living in Australia, but was told to live in Venice because it was the safest place on earth for him!
He now lives in the Castello area.

You are in danger of not wanting to leave it, pining for it after you have, daydreaming about your return trip and trying to figure out a way to live there. I fell thusly victim to Venice AND New York-each is soooo awesome. May Venice catch your heart!