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Need input / suggestions on taking a trip to Venice Italy

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dmoney1980

Platinum Member
Hello ATOT!

The wife and I are thinking about taking a 8-10 day trip to Venice this summer. It will be our last hurrah before we start a family. I'm looking for some input / advice on hotels and attractions in Venice. I'm mostly concerned about the hotels, but I'd appreciate any advice regarding local attractions etc..

Also, is there a particular time during the summer that's better to go at? Are there any festivals that take place in certain months?

Any advice or guidance is greatly appreciated!
 
Watch movies that take place in Venice and visit places from the movie. The Italian Job and a recent James Bond movie come to mind.

Joey M.
 
I haven't been to Venice myself, so I can't give you specific details there. But everyone that I ever talk to about it says that 3 days is a good amount of time. It is long enough to see the key places there but short enough to make you still want to go back.

Unless you have already travelled in the nearby area, I would highly recommend a 2-stop trip. You could do half your trip in Venice and then half in a nearby area. Slovenia is quite close and Lake Bled is fantastic. So is Croatia, Dubrovnik may be too far for you to travel from Venice but northern Croatia along the coast is well worth the visit.

Or if you want to stay in Italy, Bologna is their food capital and is just a short ways away from Venice. Or the most beautiful and most romantic spot in Italy is the Amalfi coast (Positano, Capri, Amalfi, etc). Cinque Terre is almost as good as the Amalfi coast and would be closer to Venice.

I just think you could get a better trip by seeing a bit more of the world.

I think late April/early May is the best time for Italy. That is when prices are low, the weather is ideal, and you can avoid the crowds. Since you don't have kids yet, this might be your last chance to travel in the spring/fall.
 
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Protip: Europe is so interconnected don't limit yourself to one country, see several.

Source: kids ruined my life after my asia/euro trip
 
dmoney1980 said:
Hello ATOT!

The wife and I are thinking about taking a 8-10 day trip to Venice this summer. It will be our last hurrah before we start a family. I'm looking for some input / advice on hotels and attractions in Venice. I'm mostly concerned about the hotels, but I'd appreciate any advice regarding local attractions etc..

Also, is there a particular time during the summer that's better to go at? Are there any festivals that take place in certain months?

Any advice or guidance is greatly appreciated!
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I have been to Italy multiple times but haven't yet made it to Venice. I can tell you this much from planning our next trip to Italy (which will include Venice this time):

1. Avoid the summer if at all possible. It will be more expensive and much more crowded. I've been to Italy in the fall and winter but next time I think we may try April/May.
2. 8-10 days is way too much time to dedicate to Venice IMO. I'd break that time up and visit Florence or Rome (or both!) too.
3. I've heard Venice is best at night even in the offseason, as the city is very quiet once the daytrippers leave.
 
I read past reports and pro travelers say to go visit at near end of summer. Reason be to lessen the smell of sewage that travels in the canals.
 
This thread has reminded me I leave for my first trip to Europe in just over a month (3/13-25). We aren't hitting Venice, but doing a few days on the Amalfi coast ending in Genoa (flying back from there). Not to mention St Patty's in Munich..... :thumbsup:
 
I was in Venice a couple of years ago. There are the obvious destinations like St. Mark's Cathedral, St. Mark's Square. The wife & I walked everywhere (I think that may be the only option, other than gondolas/boats). Take a gondola ride; it's expensive but an essential part of the experience. Walk around the Grand Canal area.

I can't remember our hotel's name, but I wouldn't recommend it because it was run by aholes who hated us because we were Americans. Check Trip Advisor for ratings on restaurants... I can't remember any that really stood out, but it seems like all the ones where we ate were pretty good.

When we were there, there was some sort of regional boat race/festival going on... lots of fun. We sat and watched the various teams on the Grand Canal most of one day.
 
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CraKaJaX said:
This thread has reminded me I leave for my first trip to Europe in just over a month (3/13-25). We aren't hitting Venice, but doing a few days on the Amalfi coast ending in Genoa (flying back from there). Not to mention St Patty's in Munich..... :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

I was just in Munich in October. My advice is to rent a car and see some of rural Bavaria if you can.
 
I love Venice, but I would recommend avoiding in the summer:

massive crowds, massive hot, and massive stink.

If possible, go in the mid/late fall.

I don't have any hotel recommendations, as I either recalled which one I stayed in, and the other trip was a hostel...If MINO, then look into some spots on the Lido--that's the larger island where all the fancy pants stay. The Grand Hungarian is rather posh...

As for what to do. Basically, walk around without a map every day and try to figure out where you are. It's a confounding place at times, but it's great fun. The food is great--lots of seafood, obviously, but everything is expensive.

actual tourist things:
--St Mark's square--you will certainly see this many times.
--Guggenheim museum. This one was her house, and it's an awesome morning to browse around
--Murano/Burano--spend part of a day taking the ferry to these two habbited islands. great photo ops with the technicolor houses. Murano is famous for the glass. Yes, it's that Murano.

If possible, check out the Opera House.

In the winter, the alt'arno (or something like that) occurs, where parts of the city are flooded, included St Mark's square. Platforms are strewn about in the effected areas so that people can get through. It's just another one of the quirks.

Gondola rides are effing expensive, but maybe worth it.

The main international event that Venice holds is the Biennale--the premier modern/contemporary art exhibit in the world. It's amazing, and worth whatever time you devote to it...if it happens to be active at the time you are there

http://www.labiennale.org/en/Home.html

--looks to be May to November this year, so you're in luck.
 
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My wife is Italian, and I lived/worked in Europe for a number of yrs.

IMO, 8 days is far too long in Venice. 3 is OK.

I was there during Mardi Gras (Carnevale), but that is now, not in the Summer.

I thought the food was mostly bad and overpriced etc. My experience in Europe has generally been that eating in or around tourist areas is a poor choice. They know you're just visiting, not coming back and will overcharge you for bad food. Natives wouldn't accept it. For the same reason the service is often bad. plus the wait staff have people yelling at them in 6 languages simultaneously.

Florence is a good choice. The train is only about 2-3 hrs. Great food and art. It's in Tuscany so some good local excursions to their villages.

Rome is one my favorite. Tons to see, great food. Great shopping. Train is 4-6 hrs. Some are direct, some are not. Might even be a high speed train.

Rimini. Like Venice it's on the Adriatic. Have a look: http://www.vimehotels.com/en/rimini-vime-hoteles.html

I've not been there but have been interested in that area. Direct train is about 2.5 hrs.

Amalfi is fantastically beautiful, but it is farther than Rome. See here: https://www.google.com/search?q=coa...t%2Ftop-destinations%2Famalfi-coast;1280;1024

It's on the Mediterranean. I stayed in Sorrento. I'm thinking too far.

I've always like the Adriatic. Croatia was awesome. Korcula (island) was great: https://www.google.com/search?q=kor...2Fcroatia%2Fdalmatia%2Fkorcula-island;674;446

When I was there I left from Dubrovnik: https://www.google.com/search?q=dub...&ei=m03VVIHMAZeiyASxvIDoCw&sqi=2&ved=0CDcQsAQ

and hopped on a local boat and visited Korcula and other islands.

But you'd have to fly to Dubrovnik.

Anyway, you have a lot of options. My advice is try not to go to many places or spend too much time traveling. I like to take my time wandering around villages etc checking out cafes and restaurants and shops.

You could probably get to the French Riviera, but I'd only do it if I could book a night train or fly. My advice is don't consider Monaco. I thought it boring.

Enjoy your trip.

Edit: TBH, I'd skip Venice and go to Rome and Sorrento or Florence or some other combination. I'd skip Milan too. I've got a sister-in-law who lives there. I wish she would move, she always insists we visit when in Europe.

Edit #2: Forgot about hotels. Just use google. I have the advantage of an Italian wife so she makes the actual telephone calls. I use the internet to find the hotel, their location and price etc. then hand it over to her to call and book.

Fern
 
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JoeyM said:
Watch movies that take place in Venice and visit places from the movie. The Italian Job and a recent James Bond movie come to mind.

Joey M.
Click to expand...

That's actually not a bad idea. It's kind of cool to walk up to some place you've never been but recognize it.

I was walking around London once and turned a corner and kind of stopped in my tracks (gobsmacked, as the British would say). I was looking at the old Battersea Power Station: https://www.google.com/search?q=lon...London%2FBattersea%2Fphoto1331500.htm;800;500

I used to see it all the time. It was on the cover of an old Pink Floyd album I had. (Animals IIRC) http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...itg=1&ved=0CIkBEMo3&ei=4VLVVKeUO4T2yQSgiYCwCQ

Fern
 
Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. This gives me a lot to think about. I now have to reconsider the time of year to go, since the vast majority of people say summer is not the best time to go.

Perhaps early fall and a visit to 1 or 2 other countries. I'd be interested in visiting Rome, Ireland, Switzerland, and the U.K.
 
dmoney1980 said:
Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. This gives me a lot to think about. I now have to reconsider the time of year to go, since the vast majority of people say summer is not the best time to go.

Perhaps early fall and a visit to 1 or 2 other countries. I'd be interested in visiting Rome, Ireland, Switzerland, and the U.K.
Click to expand...

If you take 10 days, you can see Rome, Florence, and Venice and not kill yourself at any one place. That would be my recommendation if you really want to see Italy. Rome has a ton of awesome sites, the Vatican is there (Sistine Chapel, St. Peters, Vatican Museum), and above all their other sites, the Roman Forum. I could probably spend days in the forum -- it just completely blows me away. I don't believe you should miss Florence either, but make sure you research the Uffizi admission policies.

Another trip I would highly recommend is one I just did last September and October - Germany and Austria for 2 weeks. PM me if you'd like more details.

EDIT: Not sure if you've heard of Rick Steves, but his travel guides and shows give a lot of good advice and his shows are free online -- you will find his Italy shows on this page (or on Youtube, I believe):

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy

I wouldn't consider his shows an exhaustive list of what to see (he definitely misses some things and doesn't do everything how I'd do it), but they definitely cover the highlights. Once you get to the planning stages, his books do give some suggestions on hotels (often with discounts) and restaurants but I'd use Tripadvisor and other resources to supplement his guides.
 
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The wife and I have never been there, but as a general thing for going she recommended looking into taking a Globus Tour.

She used to do travel in general, but mostly cruises.

Was familiar with most though.

They are supposed to be good and can save you some $

http://www.globusvacation.com/?source=msnadc

That appears to be on the top two on their list as far as tours go.

http://www.globusvacation.com/tour.cfm?npid=51042&nhr=1

http://www.globusvacation.com/tour.cfm?npid=51024&nhr=1

Even a few river cruises, I guess you'd have to scope em out.

http://www.rivercruise.com/po_river.cfm

Personally, this looks interesting to me, if your into Venice.

http://www.rivercruise.com/uniworld_river_cruises.cfm?npid=53858&nhr=1
 
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Yeah - listen to the others when it comes to Florence & Rome. Venice is nice, and you definitely want to see it. But I enjoyed Florence & Rome waaay more. Florence is probably my favorite destination in Italy.
 
NuclearNed said:
Yeah - listen to the others when it comes to Florence & Rome. Venice is nice, and you definitely want to see it. But I enjoyed Florence & Rome waaay more. Florence is probably my favorite destination in Italy.
Click to expand...

This, and especially Florence. A week is definitely way too long to visit Venice. I think Florence + Tuscany is the best bang/buck destination in Italy.

Rome is great, but I feel like Florence and Sienna and other nearby areas has so much to offer.
 
Thanks everyone for the additional info and links.

IndyColtsFan - great info on the link for ricksteves! My wife and I viewed some vids, and I think that his video convinced us to check out Bruges Belgium (which I was always interested in, and that was before the movie!)
 
dmoney1980 said:
Thanks everyone for the additional info and links.

IndyColtsFan - great info on the link for ricksteves! My wife and I viewed some vids, and I think that his video convinced us to check out Bruges Belgium (which I was always interested in, and that was before the movie!)
Click to expand...

The things that I have read about Bruges is that it is really great for about 4 hours or so...then you are shit-bored...kinda like the movie, I guess.

we were looking for things to do in that direction ~2008, as well, and this option came up. After reading a few bitter experiences in Bruges, we decided on Brussels and then Luxembourg. Honestly, Luxembourg pretty much fits that description as well---actually, there really isn't anything to do in Luxembourg. It's cool to see the "northern Gibralter" the first time, but there isn't really a museum or gallery, and maybe only 2 bars in the entire city. The American cemetery (primarily established for the battles in the Ardennes) is nearby, and you can visit Patton's grave, but that is it.
 
Venice is awesome. I lived in Venice for a few months while in college (not "study abroad" exactly, it was a project thing where we kind of interned for an organization there, but we lived there for a school term and got credit for it), and then went back again on vacation for a week+ several years later. Sure you could only stay for 3 days.. heck some people try to do just 1 day.. but you'd be missing out.

That said it's been 10 years since I was last there and sadly I've heard it's getting worse because of giant cruise ships and other problems.

I wouldn't bother getting a hotel on the mainland. Stay either in the "historical center" (i.e. what most people think of as "Venice"), or on the Lido. Couldn't tell you specifics really. Food in Venice is not fantastic, but if you follow generic advice (stay away from overly tourist areas, avoid places that have menus in English posted), it'll be fine.

When I lived there it was during the summer.. it can get very hot. Things are closed down in August. I went on vacation in March, which was nice. I've heard fall into early winter is nice too. If you are sticking with summertime, the Redentore festival is towards the end of July: major fireworks display, and they build a floating bridge out of boats.

Florence was boring; I hesitate to say "skip it" but...

I did love Rome and would like to go back there. I was only there for a short time before.
 
zinfamous said:
I love Venice, but I would recommend avoiding in the summer:

massive crowds, massive hot, and massive stink.

If possible, go in the mid/late fall.

I don't have any hotel recommendations, as I either recalled which one I stayed in, and the other trip was a hostel...If MINO, then look into some spots on the Lido--that's the larger island where all the fancy pants stay. The Grand Hungarian is rather posh...

As for what to do. Basically, walk around without a map every day and try to figure out where you are. It's a confounding place at times, but it's great fun. The food is great--lots of seafood, obviously, but everything is expensive.

actual tourist things:
--St Mark's square--you will certainly see this many times.
--Guggenheim museum. This one was her house, and it's an awesome morning to browse around
--Murano/Burano--spend part of a day taking the ferry to these two habbited islands. great photo ops with the technicolor houses. Murano is famous for the glass. Yes, it's that Murano.

If possible, check out the Opera House.

In the winter, the alt'arno (or something like that) occurs, where parts of the city are flooded, included St Mark's square. Platforms are strewn about in the effected areas so that people can get through. It's just another one of the quirks.

Gondola rides are effing expensive, but maybe worth it.

The main international event that Venice holds is the Biennale--the premier modern/contemporary art exhibit in the world. It's amazing, and worth whatever time you devote to it...if it happens to be active at the time you are there

http://www.labiennale.org/en/Home.html

--looks to be May to November this year, so you're in luck.
Click to expand...

All of this, plus planning on getting a pair of custom shoes made for you while you're there. The cobblers are everywhere, again, will be worth it.

Walking is the main mode of transportation, so bring comfortable shoes. You really don't need to spend more than 3 days in Venice.
 
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