Anyone been to Venice?

It's a unique and incredibly special place. One the heart of a huge maritime power. Renaissance art. Phenomenal wealth.

We went for carnival in 2020. Covid year which had been planned as a bucket list. We went for the opening which turned out to be a good option as it was closed early. Even just getting that taster was magical.

I've been in February, April and June and had wonderful trips. To be honest lots of European cities smell a bit sewery in hot weather. I've not noticed it too much. The spring months are cooler so maybe plan for then. Deffo get a water taxi from the airport if budget allows. It's an amazing entrance

It does take some planning. There's just so much to see. And the crowds especially if there's cruise ships in port can be shocking. Get to places like St Marks and The Rialto early or later in the evening.

Download or buy a walking guide. It's really easy to wander away from the hordes and find quieter squares and alley ways

People are no more friendly or unfriendly than any big tourist destination. Like anywhere there's tourist trap cafes and restaurants but google can be your friend. Lots of more budget friendly places hidden away if you make an effort. Or have a few tapas like snacks in the bars to keep you going. You'll be surprised that wine is cheap and delicious from the little street bars.

It will be busy but pretty much every tourist place is these days. You'll be fine! Edinburgh is definitely worse!

Have been many with a Venetian friend now sadly gone, he would take us on walking tours of the city, he was very knowledgeable. Yes its busy in some places, but you can easily get off the beaten track. Hoping to go back next year.

Will it be really busy in May? We’re going on the 4th next year for 2 nights

It is expensive but utterly magical. My DD was there for a uni term studying the art. Afterwards we all went there with her and she was able to guide us around - not just the art, but the best/cheapest places to eat.

But get yourself a crossbody bag to keep valuables in - pickpocketing is rife! And if you use a cash machine, make sure you hide your fingers when typing the PIN and get the money straight into your bag!

I went last year and booked a private walking tour for my friend and me for her birthday present. Went to some out of the way places and our guide was able to give us a list of restaurants he recommended which were “local” and not expensive. Favourites spots visited were the viewing platform at T Fondaco del Tedeschi, the Peggy Guggenheim & Acqua Alta bookshop. Had a gondolier ride and it was totally worth it. For me it was too hot though so I’d love to go back in Winter or Spring.

What a lovely friend you are @Divebar2021

I was in Venice in 1978 on a through trip by van to Greece. We were there in the evening and it was very quiet (!). We had dinner and continued on our way.
Definately need to go back sometime.

We went in February. The weather was actually ok and it was quite quiet. Loved it, there's nowhere else like it.

Its absolutely amazing. Eat off the main squares and away from the canals and it's pretty reasonable. We did a lot of walking saw st marks, rialto bridge bridge of sighs etc. we paid to do the bell tower which was amazing view but jam packed like crazy he effiel tower. So not worth it in my opinion. Did a food tour which was fab and saw lots of off track Venice. Didn't pay for a gondola but did a couple water taxis much cheaper

I have been a few times. Went as a teenager with my family and found it hot and crowded. Went as an adult and we arrived in the evening and it was so much better. Everyone leaves, it's cooler and far more pleasant to walk around. Yes I guess some museums and shops won't be open but if you're just there to soak up the city I would recommend going then.

@SparklyLogic wow crazy money!

Always barter with the gondola people though

She’s in a private room with en suite. There are shared options which would be cheaper but she didn’t fancy it, and as she’d originally planned to travel for longer over the summer decided she’d rather pay the extra.

As Venice goes it’s not unreasonable at all. She’s happy anyway and that’s the main thing.

At one point in my life, I lived in Trieste, which is about a two hour train journey from Venice, and I used to have to change trains there quite a lot. Yes, it is very touristy, so maybe she was a time when there are less tourists, not mid summer… I don’t think cruise ships are allowed to go there anymore, so it might be a little less busy than before. There are also some really nice places not too far away that you could visit as well, even Trieste and some of the beaches in that area.

Trieste is the home of coffee, and many famous writers, both Italian and foreign lived there, so it’s good for culture. as it is near the border, there is some influence from Slovenia as well.

just an idea about Venice, it is very very popular for Carnaval, but a good time to visit and some thing you don’t see every day.

The hostel was that much?

I had an amazing holiday in Venice in August, staying at this place: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g187870-d198753-Reviews-Istituto_San_Giuseppe-Venice_Veneto.html?m=19905

Booked through Monastery Stays. It’s five minutes walk from St Marks Square and amazing value.

Our rule was to only eat in places that didn't serve spaghetti bolognese. Because those were touristy places. You can eat wonderful food if you are careful to avoid picture menu/English menu/classic crap 'Italian' food.

Yes, it's lovely. I'd avoid peak tourist times if you can as it's very busy but very beautiful. Also go to Murano if you can too.

*tat! 🤣

Expensive, smelly and full of pick pockets! I was underwhelmed. Had a very poor meal and was unimpressed with the amount of fat on sale.

DD is over there atm…she’s 19 and has gone solo, staying in a hostel (albeit single room with en suite) which has cost her about £300 for 4 nights.

Accommodation is basic but clean and pleasant, she’s been zipping around on the vaporettos, found reasonable places to eat and photos are gorgeous - she’ll be home tomorrow but would definitely go back.

I've been four times over the years, first time inter railing in the 80's and since with partners, friends and family.
I have to say though that it has never massively impressed me, yes it's unique but you can see pretty much everything in a day or two.
St Marks is, well, a square. Bridges are bridges, some nice ones I admit and canals are canals filled with different coloured water depending when you visit.
A gondola ride is maybe a bucket list tick but it's really just a boat ride on a sometimes smelly canal (it does stink on occasions)
The prices in restaurants can be ridiculous and why should you have to go off the beaten track when on holiday to avoid paying seventy quid for a plate of pasta and a Peroni?

I have been a couple of times, most recently I tagged it onto a stay at a beautiful family campsite in Tuscany we had been to before (Eurocamp type place). It was in the first summer of covid when Covid hit and Italy was briefly a 'green zone'. DD had never been and wanted to go so thought we should grab the chance when it was quiet!

It is expensive but we booked 2 or 3 nights in a cheapish (and quite basic) self-catering apartment directly on a canal. It was in the area where most Venitians live so a bit away from the tourist hotspots and better for it. It is lovely at night when things get quieter. We ate out at lunch for 2 of the days with a cheaper set menu, just wandered about, travelled to the islands, just soaked up the atmosphere rather than spending money on lots of entry to things. Did not bother with a gondola because we both thought we would find it a bit cringeworthy- but that is just us! We got the train from Florence (really cheap and 1st class due to DC's age at the time- some special deal). It was lovely arriving into the station.

You can stay outside and travel in as day trippers but I do think it is a city that you get the best from if you can stay a night or two.

I've been twice, once in early summer and once in January. January was much better, nowhere near as busy and crowded.

There's fantastic architecture everywhere you look and it's worth exploring off the beaten track, you stumble across pretty little courtyards with a fountain or something and stuff like that. And the paintings - even the smallest church has fantastic art and there's one place that I'd love to visit again - it has loads of amazing Carpaccios.

The islands are great and, if you have time, a trip to Padua, approx half an hour by train, is worth the effort. I loved the Scrovegni chapel.

I loved Venice , the gondola ride I went on was a bit disappointing though. Expensive for a quick trip round some back alleys.

We go often as my Dad is from the area.
It does not stink. This is a misconception held by people who have never been. There are lots of beggars which I'm surprised nobody has mentioned before. They are usually Romanian.
Bars Around St Marks will rip you off if they get a chance.
Lido di jessolo is a fantastic place for a family holiday and an hour from Venice.