Venice - good or bad?
Discussion
I fancy a weekend break in the Spring and am debating choices. I've been to most of the popular places but not here, so I'm tempted.
I've got two (separate) friends who've been and they both really disliked it - one of the complaints being it was sooooo busy that it was just like being in the middle of the walk through an Ikea.
On the other hand, on a specialist car forum it was mentioned by chance a few months ago and everybody loved the place.
So any views on people who've been?
I've got two (separate) friends who've been and they both really disliked it - one of the complaints being it was sooooo busy that it was just like being in the middle of the walk through an Ikea.
On the other hand, on a specialist car forum it was mentioned by chance a few months ago and everybody loved the place.
So any views on people who've been?
One of the few places I've been that exceeded the hype for me (maybe the ONLY one) and we were there in the school summer holidays (although we got there early one day and left late another, whilst staying on the Lido, so avoided the worst of the crowds).
That said, my wife was pretty underwhelmed and never shows any interest when I suggest visiting again.
M.
That said, my wife was pretty underwhelmed and never shows any interest when I suggest visiting again.
M.
I popped there for the day a few weeks back. It was great. By far the most rewarding part was wandering around the 'real' parts which are only a few streets off the main honeypots. Better and cheaper food too. Watch out for the severe lack of toilets though.
And there's a lot more to explore than just the obvious bits. There are tons of smaller islands that are accessible.
And there's a lot more to explore than just the obvious bits. There are tons of smaller islands that are accessible.
Edited by bloomen on Thursday 19th January 21:34
davek_964 said:
I fancy a weekend break in the Spring and am debating choices. I've been to most of the popular places but not here, so I'm tempted.
I've got two (separate) friends who've been and they both really disliked it - one of the complaints being it was sooooo busy that it was just like being in the middle of the walk through an Ikea.
On the other hand, on a specialist car forum it was mentioned by chance a few months ago and everybody loved the place.
So any views on people who've been?
Went October 2016 in the last few days of summer as it gave way to autumn. It was magical.I've got two (separate) friends who've been and they both really disliked it - one of the complaints being it was sooooo busy that it was just like being in the middle of the walk through an Ikea.
On the other hand, on a specialist car forum it was mentioned by chance a few months ago and everybody loved the place.
So any views on people who've been?
bloomen said:
By far the most rewarding part was wandering around the 'real' parts which are only a few streets off the main honeypots. Better and cheaper food too.
Was about to say the exactly same - with that in mind, I struggle to see how anyone cannot love the place, it's just one of a kind!We went a few years back. Loved it, but you do need to plan the trip.
It seems that 99% of the tourists are day visitors, arriving by car, train, bus or boat. They arrive at the causeway or station and then rush to St Marks and back. They do that in 4 - 6 hours.
The Venetian's are pretty savvy, and the signs directing you from the station to St Mark's on either side of the Grand Canal sort of make a one way system for tourists. The signs from St Mark's back to the station follow a different set of streets.
So you basically have 4 main drags which are totally rammed with tourists, tat shops and expensive cafés. Wander off those streets and you find the real Venice.
Stay on the island itself and when the 99% have gone home, go for a drink and a meal with the locals. We totally loved the place, and the Venetian's we drank and ate with really seemed to appreciate those who stay on the island at night.
HTH
It seems that 99% of the tourists are day visitors, arriving by car, train, bus or boat. They arrive at the causeway or station and then rush to St Marks and back. They do that in 4 - 6 hours.
The Venetian's are pretty savvy, and the signs directing you from the station to St Mark's on either side of the Grand Canal sort of make a one way system for tourists. The signs from St Mark's back to the station follow a different set of streets.
So you basically have 4 main drags which are totally rammed with tourists, tat shops and expensive cafés. Wander off those streets and you find the real Venice.
Stay on the island itself and when the 99% have gone home, go for a drink and a meal with the locals. We totally loved the place, and the Venetian's we drank and ate with really seemed to appreciate those who stay on the island at night.
HTH
Went in early June a few years ago and we were totally spellbound. The only busy place was St Mark's Square, but we didn't hang around for long. The main order of the three or four days we were there was exploring. We did very little else but walk and get lost and get found again. We bought a 36 hour Vaporetto ticket, which meant you could just hop on and off any boat anywhere. Wonderful.
We spent a day her in late November and it was nice in a kind of "ticked the box" sort of way. The place was busy so I can't imagine what it is like in the peak season.
A Gondola ride was €80 for 30 minutes, even more after dusk.
I felt so sorrry for the folk dragging their luggage around with them. Cobbled paths and bridges with steps everywhere.
It's about 2.5 hours from Milan by train so we based ourselves there and had another day at Como/Bellagio. Personally, I preferred those.
A Gondola ride was €80 for 30 minutes, even more after dusk.
I felt so sorrry for the folk dragging their luggage around with them. Cobbled paths and bridges with steps everywhere.
It's about 2.5 hours from Milan by train so we based ourselves there and had another day at Como/Bellagio. Personally, I preferred those.
Thanks, some useful answers. Sounds mostly positive but perhaps it's a Marmite place.
I looked briefly at costs a week or so back and it seemed a return flight was barely £100 and hotels were reasonable. Costs there don't bother me much - think I still have around 600 Euros from my last trip to Italy so I see this as almost a 'free' trip.
Will do some research over the weekend and consider booking a long weekend, maybe early May.
GuinnessMK said:
We went a few years back. Loved it, but you do need to plan the trip.
It seems that 99% of the tourists are day visitors, arriving by car, train, bus or boat. They arrive at the causeway or station and then rush to St Marks and back. They do that in 4 - 6 hours.
The Venetian's are pretty savvy, and the signs directing you from the station to St Mark's on either side of the Grand Canal sort of make a one way system for tourists. The signs from St Mark's back to the station follow a different set of streets.
So you basically have 4 main drags which are totally rammed with tourists, tat shops and expensive cafés. Wander off those streets and you find the real Venice.
Stay on the island itself and when the 99% have gone home, go for a drink and a meal with the locals. We totally loved the place, and the Venetian's we drank and ate with really seemed to appreciate those who stay on the island at night.
HTH
Interesting - that description explains quite well the comments my friends made. Sounds like they followed that route!It seems that 99% of the tourists are day visitors, arriving by car, train, bus or boat. They arrive at the causeway or station and then rush to St Marks and back. They do that in 4 - 6 hours.
The Venetian's are pretty savvy, and the signs directing you from the station to St Mark's on either side of the Grand Canal sort of make a one way system for tourists. The signs from St Mark's back to the station follow a different set of streets.
So you basically have 4 main drags which are totally rammed with tourists, tat shops and expensive cafés. Wander off those streets and you find the real Venice.
Stay on the island itself and when the 99% have gone home, go for a drink and a meal with the locals. We totally loved the place, and the Venetian's we drank and ate with really seemed to appreciate those who stay on the island at night.
HTH
I looked briefly at costs a week or so back and it seemed a return flight was barely £100 and hotels were reasonable. Costs there don't bother me much - think I still have around 600 Euros from my last trip to Italy so I see this as almost a 'free' trip.
Will do some research over the weekend and consider booking a long weekend, maybe early May.
13m said:
timbo999 said:
Brilliant, but don't sit down in the cafes... stand up coffees are MUCH cheaper as they are everywhere in Italy.
Plus of course at the gran caffes on St Mark's square you pay an additional 6 Euro per cover for the music. It's expensive, but you've got to do it once.
Just to add to everyone else ... fantastic, magical place. It has a unique charm and character. We went in mid-January so it was cold and wet and windy and yet it was still magical enough to get us out and about exploring all the nooks and crannies (of which there are millions).
Bridge of Sighs is maybe a bit underwhelming, and everywhere has a bit of a worn feel to it (which we found added a charm), but strolling around the maze-like streets and bridges presents a million wonderful views, framed by lovely buildings and those waterways.
Highly recommended.
Bridge of Sighs is maybe a bit underwhelming, and everywhere has a bit of a worn feel to it (which we found added a charm), but strolling around the maze-like streets and bridges presents a million wonderful views, framed by lovely buildings and those waterways.
Highly recommended.
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