I'm scared about taking my mum to Venice

[Goingonagondola]

I really want to take my mum to Venice for her 70th birthday in October. She's never been - and always wanted to. But I'm nervous for various reasons. I've hardly ever been abroad (no money till fairly recently) and the rare times I've been I haven't booked or organised anything. My mum is a nervous, 'flappy' kind of traveller. I have anxiety as well.

I so want to do this for her. She's single and a foster carer who really deserves a break. If I don't take her she'll probably never go. It would be lovely to have the memories to share. I just feel like I need to be a different, totally confident and capable person to do this and I'm not.

Do you think I can do it, or is it a disastrous idea? Please be kind - I know I sound totally lame. Does anyone have any specific tips for how to make the trip easier? I thought we'd stay in a hotel so staff can help if there are any problems. Does anyone know Venice enough to give some tips about how to make the trip as easy as possible please?

Planning/hoping to fly Easyjet so should get in to Marco Polo.

If I go... Haha. (I mentally end every plan with that phrase!)

GO! you will both love it, if you don’t go you will regret it forever xx

We were in Venice late last year. My main handy hint would be to get 24 hour vaporetto tickets. If you fancy a trip to the islands, travel with your 24 hour ticket in the afternoon. Next morning, get up early and use the tickets before your 24 hours are up to travel along the Grand Canal. I wouldn't advise you to go on tours to Murano to look at the glass factories unless you are prepared to put up with a hard sales pitch to buy glass. Much better to browse the glass shops in your own time if you want to buy souvenirs.
The islands are lovely, we particularly liked Torcello, the basilica on the island is originally 7th century and the whole island is very atmospheric.
Our flight to Marco Polo airport arrived after dark and we caught the vaporetto to Venice. If you do this you will require a separate ferry ticket (we bought a return ticket) from the 24 hour vaporetto ticket for the islands and Grand Canal boats. It took much longer than we thought to get from the airport to Venice, around 45 minutes to an hour and didn't see much on the way though it was an interesting experience. The ferry boat stopped at Murano and Burano on the way to Venice as well.
Water taxis, speedboats and gondalas are very expensive and unless you particularly want the gondala experience, I wouldn't recommend.
Hope you and your mum have a great time.

Also, avoid Harry's Bar, total rip off.

Thank you. I don't drink (meds) so bars aren't my thing, which is a bit of a shame in terms of going to a wine country.

If it is causing you so much worry and it is likely to make your mum flap a bit also would you maybe find a trip to somewhere closer to home less anxiety inducing? The channel islands or Isles of Scilly or something like that?

I did exactly the same for my mums 70th.

I know you've had loads of advice above so apologies for any repetiton (bit short on time)

Don't bother with the Murano / Burano tours. They are expensive. Just get the vaperetto out there you'll find places you can watch glass blowing. Murano is a big island with lots of shopping opportunities so take your time. You can use the normal boat pass and its a lovely journey. You will pass the island of San Michele. Mum and I got off and looked around and its a surreal and very beautiful experience. It is the cemetery island (perhaps not one for a dark night) but it was fascinating.

Don't rely on google maps - it can't cope with Venice. Even the tinest turning could turn out to be an important route point so if someone tells you third on the left count all the tiny alleyways as you go.

Doges palace is IMHO a must. Its utterly fantastic.

When eating keep back from the tourist areas and avoid anything directly onto the grand canal. Expect a service charge in most places.

You will almost certainly get lost. don't panic, embrace it. Its normal and you'll probably see the nicest parts of Venice that way. If it gets too bad head for a grand canal find a vapertto stop and find your way back that way

In a few places there are gondalas that cross the grand canal They are called Traghetti. Good idea if you're getting a bit tired and don't want to walk on to the next bridge or just fancy a bit more novelty than the number 1 vaperetto! europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/traghetto.htm

Go. Have a brilliant time and enjoy exploring. I love Venice and can't wait for an excuse to go back :)

listsandbudgets I love this - thank you!

That's all so so helpful. And nice to know that others have done the same thing. I hope I can pluck up the courage as she so deserves it, and like you've all said, I'll totally regret it if I don't. Life is really short.

PS you can get all the vaperreto ticket at the station.

Unless you're feeling really flush, dont take a water taxi, get a bus and then change to the vaperreto (water bus). There are loads of coaches that go in from the airport and the vaperreto terminus is really easy to find from there - maybe a minutes walk. Remember to validate your ticket at the machine before you get on the boat. your hotel will tell you which line to take but if its where you've shown, I think you just need the 1.

I may have missed it but when do you plan to go? We went in early December and its far less crowded, very few queues but everything seemed to be open