limmy

I don't suppose we can NOT make wrong turns in Venice. I'm all about the risk management, at least until we make it to hotel. After that we can all share directional responsibilities ��

limmy

NYCFoodSnob

<i><font color=#555555>" I'll let our hotel know of our arrival with the hotel in advance as suggested."</font></i>

I've tried this with Hotel Flora on several occasions, and they never came through with providing a bellman at the dock. Either their staff just isn't that large, or they can't afford to keep sending someone to the dock to "wait" for tourists with luggage to show up. Arrival times on water are pretty inexact.

Before I had my own Italian cell, I had the taxi captain call the hotel. It never mattered, no one showed up to help with luggage. However, it doesn't hurt to keep trying. I haven't stayed at the Flora since they closed to remodel, but I have visited to see the new duds.

Sally30

thanks for the link to the 99E fare. I am going to buy that now. hopefully not too confusing to use a prepaid fare when we arrive.

NYCFoodSnob

I just tried Google Street View, and lo-and-behold, you can take the Google Man right to the front door of Hotel Flora. Wasn't able to do that before 2013. Calle dei Bergamaschi is to the right of the Bulgari store. In Street View you can see your walk exactly as it will appear in-person.

limmy

Thanks NYC! Funny, I was wondering how or if they would send a bellman to an off premises dock, figuring arrival times are not exact. I'll let them know anyway & see what happens but we'll manage without curb service.

limmy

Off *premise* I meant.

sandralist

You seriously can't tell your family that they are going to a fragile, antique enviornment that is unique and it will involve some extra care from their part as a contribution? They don't sound that old. This is not a guilt trip but asking for a reconsideration for an endangered place. As predicted, you will certainly hear that something other than a water taxi is "long" or inconvenient -- which it is. But it is worth it.

Do think again. I'm not alone in Italy in trying to convey this point to visiting English-speakers. It's serious.

jangita

You can ignore the post by sandralist but it is true. Water taxi drivers are notorious for going too fast and the erosion issue is real.

That being said--it seems like, in your situation, the taxi is a better choice.

We usually take the land bus to Piazzale Roma and change to the vap or just walk from there depending where we are staying.

And, one more thing--over 60 isn't so old!

sandralist

I still don't see anythng compelling about this situation that argues for a water taxi. A 3 minute walk from the Alliguna stop?

Anyway, other people find these threads through research, and I want other people willing to think about issues of environmental responsibility while in Venice -- even it means going a tiny bit out otheir comfort zone -- to get some facts.

http://rene.seindal.dk/2015/10/04/moto-ondoso/

http://iamnotmakingthisup.net/date/2010/01/page/2/

sandralist

(I hope I never have to read again on Fodor's how much everybody loves Venice.)

NYCFoodSnob

<i><font color=#555555>" Water taxi drivers are notorious for going too fast."</font></i>

Perhaps in the movies, but I find the licensed guys to be quite diligent and protective.

Good grief! What on earth has gotten into the troll meister? She's on a rampage. One would think she'd direct her utter frustration towards the cruise ships and the dredging the Italian government did to accommodate this industry.

Water taxi boats in Venice don't do anywhere near the damage that <i>vaporetti</i> do, especially heavy <i>vaporetti</i>, overflowing with passengers.

rialtogrl

ALL motorized boats are a problem. Not just water taxis and not just in Venice. Alilaguna has ten times (or more) the boats they did when I first started going to Venice. Unfortunately you kind of have to take a boat at some point to visit Venice, unless you stay near the train station or Piazzale Roma and walk everywhere once you arrive. But, limmy, if you want to cut down your carbon footprint, walk around a lot the rest of the time you are in Venice and avoid the vaporetto as much as possible.

It's a better way to get around once you are there, anyway.

limmy

Sandralist, when I said "wow, you guys are so helpful, thank you for such detailed info" I was including your contribution in that. I wasn't ignoring what you offered, and no, I didn't know about it previously so I'm glad you posted it and think maybe someone else will happen across this thread and be better informed because of it too.

I didn't feel guilt tripped, I just thought you were sharing your perspective as I asked in my title.

That all said, we all have to pick our battles. Have to make decisions every day that split the difference between what is good/bad for environment and our own needs. This is personal to each of us. In this case I'm taking the water taxi but I thank you for informing me none the less.

limmy

Jangita-I didn't mean to sound like over 60 = a fossil! Not at all . I mean maybe for some, some people age faster or better/worse than others but that could be said of 35 year olds too.

I do think there is likely something different about a first trip out of country at age 63 than 23 from a mental stand point that might affect a person physically, just wearing their energy out & causing aches/pains from stress.

jangita

Thanks, limmy. As you can probably guess, I am over 60 and feel quite fit. Walking all over Venice is one of my favorite things to do. I think it is also a matter of attitude in addition to physical "conditioning."