Venice -has anyone been with kids ?

[ThePathlessPath]

how did it go - was it child friendly we are looking to go for a two night city break with a 5 and 7 yr old are we mad or isit doable? love to hear how otheres got on>thanks

I went when I was about 10 and last year I took my 1 year old. It's fine for kids, with a bit of planning. Do the really big stuff early before the crowds really set in and spend time in the parks and visiting one of the other islands maybe.

We got a great trip down the grand canal by walking out to the front before the grand canal, had lunch in the park and then got the water us to the other end of town. The backs are open and you get a nice trip.

We went at easter with 3dc aged 7-12. They loved it. It was part of a longer trip to Italy and Venice was the most memorable place for them. Not mad at all. Lots of boats and interesting places to explore. We avoided the long queues at the art galleries, but we walked around, played in some of the parks, went round and round on the day-ticket for the river buses, went to see glass-blowing on Murano, nipped over to the Lido for dinner, etc. There are good beaches on the Lido if you have time too.

marking my place..off to the Lido this summer and planning a day or two in Venice

No but I've been to Venice twice without and would love to get back there.
There are loads of stairs & steps in Venice so I wouldn't go with a buggy - but if they were able to walk around all day, I'd say go for it. It is truly the most marvellous place - bet kids love it.

To be on the safe side it might be good if they could swim or at least float (or it could be just that I have been living with helicopter parent DP too long!)

Mine LOVED it. It is incredibly busy, but it's easily doable, especially if they are old enough to not need a buggy. It's a beautiful city. Mine loved seeing the glass making on Murano island, riding in a Gondola, seeing all the little streets and shops.

You do need a close eye, you don't want them falling in canals, but it's not as bad as you might imagine, there are plenty of little roads without water.

On the downside, it is incredibly expensive. You have to pay for boat passes for children too, eating out is expensive, toilets are expensive, especially when you have little ones who might need to go fairly frequently.