What to do in Venice for NEw Years
 

We will be in Venice over New Years. DOes anyone know what the Venetians do for New YEars?

Also, what will be open that weekend? New years day is a Saturday in 2005...

Thanks!

topping

I don't have time to repeat myself. I've written several things about New Year's in Venice since I'm there every year at that time. Good luck with your search.

Topping in hopes that some of the Venice experts (Rialtogirl? Eloise? others?) can provide some useful information!

Unfortunately, I do not spend New Year's in Venice.

But since NYCFoodSnob did not have time to repeat herself, and since the OP did not have time to look for NYCFS's post about New Year's, I have taken the time to do so.

It came up as NYCFS's post No. 261, and I give it to you here in full:

"I go every year for Christmas and New Year's and I stay until well into January. I wouldn't call the experience magical, though, especially from a youngster's point of view. Contrary to what you might think, Italy is not France when it comes to decorating the cityscape for the holidays.

"Rome is wonderful, especially if you're Catholic. You can find wonderful concerts to go to and church service can be divine (no pun). Restaurants are open depending on what day the 25th falls. Some famous places actually open up for the 25th because many local family's like to go out for dinner on this day. Weather can be quite mild and, if it is, expect to see the Roman's eating outdoors, and me with them. Piazza Navona turns into an annual carnival celebrating the Befana but I don't find it or her quite as charming as Santa Claus et al.

"Venice has even less decoration than Rome and many restaurants do close down. I've done several New Year's gala dinners there and, glamorous as they are, I won't be doing anymore. I just can't eat all that food and sit for 4-5 hours. I go stir crazy after 3. If you do your homework (and it ain't easy) you can find someplace worthwhile to eat on a holiday. The secret is to plan months in advance and secure reservations via fax. You'll be expected to send a check as a down payment for your table. Yes, there's much work involved but everyone who loves Venice should do it at least once.

"Why do I go at this time? I feel closer to God and I love the peace and quiet. Plus, only the die-hard tourists can be found in Italy at this time and some of them are actually enjoyable."

Eloise again: I'm afraid I did not take note of the date of NYFCS's post.

Here is another on the same subject from Italy4me, dated 07/28/2004:

"On New Year's Eve in both Venice and Rome - and as I understand it, all over Italy - most restaurants have a long, prix fixe dinner menu requiring reservations to celebrate San Silvestro.

"I've been in both cities on New Year's Eve, and if I had to choose I'd go to Venice again.

"Piazza San Marco starts filling up around 11pm with revelers who bring their own fireworks and prosecco. The shops and restaurants on the piazza are closed, and their windows boarded up. At midnight - very exciting and well behaved pandemonium!

"Many shops and trattorias were open on New Year's Day, but the city was not as crowded as Rome over the holidays."

Eloise again: I hope the OP bothers to come back and look...

I have only spent one NYE in Venice, so my experience is limited. Probably some Venetians stay in, some go out, just like anywhere. Many restaurants have prix fixe meals with many courses, but we wanted to get to the Piazza so we opted for dinner at the Chinese restaurant on Calle Fabbri. It was insanely busy, and the restaurant tacked a 30% "holiday charge" on our bill. No sweat, at least I got a lighter shaped like a pig as a gift, in return.

There were plenty of Venetians in Piazza San Marco at midnight. Try to finish up your dinner by 11 or so and get to the Piazza. It is wild, with lots of Prosecco, fireworks, and singing. I wish I could go back this year!

Nice work, Eloise. I have a job for you, too, if you're interested. =D>

I thank you for your replies which are some of the rudest I have seen.

My mother always said if you don't have anything nice to day, don't say it at all.

If the "you" in travelbug2's latest post refers to me then all I can say is get real. There's a chasm of difference between "matter of fact" and "rude" so spare me your country bumpkin altruistic outlook on life.

What is truly rude is your presumptuous, ungrateful post with a totally false and negative characterization of intent. Your also a hypocrite because you don't practice what you or your mother preach. Shame on you.