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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Venice

31 replies

KeepCalm · 07/08/2017 20:24

Where to stay?
What not to miss?

We have 4 childfree nights just DH & I so somewhere reasonably nice too please Smile

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LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 18/09/2017 22:12

Just back from a really great weekend.

Overall, it was hands down, the most beautiful place I've ever been. I cried when I walked round the corner to the grand canal. It is ridiculously pretty, with a veneer of faded grandeur, so not at all picture perfect.

We didn't 'do' a lot. Walked up to the Rialto market on the first morning, then down to St Marks. Timed it all a bit badly wrt to getting into the basilica, camponile or doge's palace to be honest - if these are must-sees for you then definitely book online to queue jump. The queues were enormous so we gave them a miss.

We then walked up the edge of the lagoon to the arsenal, the sun came out a bit, had an ice cream, stopped for a couple of spritz. Popped into every church we walked past to make up for missing St Marks!

Sunday we took the boat to Murano, had lunch there, then took the boat back the long way round so we saw a bit of Guidecca. Bit of shopping and went to the Frari, which was amazing.

Food we found hit and miss, service was incredibly slow (even by Italian standards) and Saturday lunch was really touristy. The hotel recommended a place called Vinaria, which was lovely, right on the Grande Canale but not touristy. Also had a great lunch in the Osteria al Duomo in Murano, after walking out of a more flashy place.

All in we loved it. We definitely could have done more, but when DH and I go away it tends to be more about walking around, stopping for a drink actually having a shag in peace and being a bit more laid back.

Doradolittle · 18/09/2017 22:26
  1. Everyone should approach Venice for the first time by water. Not road or train. If you can afford it, get a water taxi from the airport, or the special airport vaporetto (takes c. 1 hour).
  2. Don't go up the campanile in San Marco - go up the tower on Giorgio Maggiore instead. No queues, better views and a cheerful monk runs the lift!
  3. Go to Harry's bar for a Bellini. It's quite the theatrical bar experience.
  4. Rooftop bar of the Hilton hotel at sunset is a must. As long as a cruise ship doesn't block your view of the city (though that's entertaining in itself to watch them squeeze through).
  5. Less touristy bars (not that Venice is ever completely un-touristy) are found in Campo San Margherita - near the university. Fairly good restaurants tucked away in the Calle around there.
  6. Delicious and relatively cheap pizza-by-the-slice is to be had from Cip Ciap, just off Campo Santa Maria Formosa.
Doradolittle · 18/09/2017 22:34

Oh, and before you go, check the tides. We had dramatic Aqua alta in December so you may need wellies!

KeepCalm · 04/12/2017 20:53

these tips are brilliant thank you! Although I'll be gutted if I need wellies!!!!

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Dowser · 15/12/2017 12:27

Venice or Prague for dh 65 th in April.

I just can’t decide!

KeepCalm · 12/01/2018 22:20

Never been to Prague @Dowser and as lovely as Venice was I wouldn't choose it over Copenhagen. Which doesn't help your dilemma one bit, sorry!

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