Where in Venice?
Discussion
Hotel Abbazia, next to the station area, great hotel, part of an old Carmalite barefoot monk outfit - been to Venice about 20 times now and always stay there, will dig out the web address in a mo for you, there are better hotels to stay in, but this is peaceful, has its own gardens and is handy for most things in Venice !!
When we went earlier this year we stayed in the Bauer. Although it is fairly expensive we got a good deal from Expedia, and it was very central and right on the grand canal. Perfect for popping back to at any time of the day and breakfast on a grand canal pontoon overlooking one of the best views in venice.
www.bauervenezia.com
www.bauervenezia.com
We stayed off Venice on the Island opposite called Lido. It was really great. Venice is incredible but is is developed to get money from tourists. By staying on Lido we could get some reality and have a fantastic meal where the locals go for 20 euros instead of a 110 euros. It only takes 10 mins to get to venice so you get the best of both worlds.
The finest restaurant in the whole area was on Lido in the Hungarian Hotel... Incredible.
You have to try the Bellini's
The finest restaurant in the whole area was on Lido in the Hungarian Hotel... Incredible.
You have to try the Bellini's
cy88 said:
When we went earlier this year we stayed in the Bauer. Although it is fairly expensive we got a good deal from Expedia, and it was very central and right on the grand canal. Perfect for popping back to at any time of the day and breakfast on a grand canal pontoon overlooking one of the best views in venice.
<a href="www.bauervenezia.com">www.bauervenezia.com</a>
I'll second that !
Stayed here last December, but in the old part called Bauer Il Pilazio.
Superb veiws of the entrance to The Grand Canal.
Looking at the hotel from the water taxi pier out the front.
Views like this from the hotel
The restaurant there called 'La Pisas ' , is to this day the best food I have EVER eaten !!!
BUT... be warned it's not cheap, the hotel or the restaurant.
>> Edited by shadytree on Thursday 28th July 10:55
Try the restaurant Antico Pignolo, two streets back to the right of Piazza San Marco; Calle Spechierri, I think. The second largest wine list in Italy. Nice.
The Basilica, Campanile and Doge's Palace are the usual must-do's. Don't bother with the free trips to Murano, not worth the effort as it is a massive sales pitch. We were promised a glass blowing display to show how the items are made. It lasted approximately 3 minutes before being shuffled up to the showrooms where a massive sales push occurred.
The Rialto bridge is nice and bustling, it is tempting to stop and get some lunch/coffee, but like Piazza San Marco it is geared for stripping tourist finances. Be patient and walk a little more away from these areas and find a little 'local' bar. Much cheaper and more of a cultural feel.
We stayed at the top of the Grand Canal near the Train Station. Hotel Carlton Grand Canal I think it was called. All places are accessible by foot or water-bus. Forget the Gondolas as they are not worth the £80 per 20 minutes.
The Basilica, Campanile and Doge's Palace are the usual must-do's. Don't bother with the free trips to Murano, not worth the effort as it is a massive sales pitch. We were promised a glass blowing display to show how the items are made. It lasted approximately 3 minutes before being shuffled up to the showrooms where a massive sales push occurred.
The Rialto bridge is nice and bustling, it is tempting to stop and get some lunch/coffee, but like Piazza San Marco it is geared for stripping tourist finances. Be patient and walk a little more away from these areas and find a little 'local' bar. Much cheaper and more of a cultural feel.
We stayed at the top of the Grand Canal near the Train Station. Hotel Carlton Grand Canal I think it was called. All places are accessible by foot or water-bus. Forget the Gondolas as they are not worth the £80 per 20 minutes.
nubbin said:
When in Venice?
I mean, is there any time of year when Venice is seen at it's best, and when to be avoided?
IMO avoid summer. Too hot, too many tourist in cramped small streets and the canals stink.
I would say Sept to Jan. There is the Carnaval after hristams, when it get very busy again.
I got some very useful info here:
by Travel Intelligence.
THE OTHER VENICE
TI's review of The Bauer LL Palazzo Hotel
Hope this helps Nubbin
veetwin said:
Forget the Gondolas as they are not worth the £80 per 20 minutes.
When we went we also took this view, but on the last day my wife suddenly decided that it would be a shame to go all the way there and not do the Gondola thing.
It was expensive, but we haggled and got 45 mins for 100 euros. Go to an official stop like the one outside the Bauer - the ones in the back alleys always seemed more expensive / less time. Singing Gondolier will cost you more.
(Edited to say that haggling probably won't be an option in the height of summer.)
My tip would be if you are flying to Venice airport, get one of the private water taxis to the city. We chose not to when we arrived and regretted it later, so we got one back to the airport. (You will reach a point when the cost is worth it to get away from the throngs of people - even in early spring it was literally packed). Water taxis are expensive (£75 when we went in Spring), but you can't arrive / leave in more style - they'll drop you to the hotel in most cases and this saves lugging bags through the crowded streets.
>> Edited by cy88 on Thursday 28th July 11:56
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