Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Holidays

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

Original poster

Venice for a week in January with teenagers- any advice?

16 replies

Bluemazarine · 20/06/2018 19:19

We're looking to go away from new year's Day for a week ( significant birthday for one of us tying in with a late school term start!). Thinking of Venice - but we'd be looking for 2 or 3 bed apt or air BnB to give us a but of a chance to spread out..
. I've had a look at some older threads and it looks like it may be a less busy time to go, but would a week be too long? Any recommendations of places to stay or things to do with teenagers- would be great!

OP posts:
MrsMcW · 20/06/2018 19:31

Book a gondola lesson with Row Venice - would be a fun break from museums and art galleries for teens!

Original poster
Bluemazarine · 20/06/2018 21:08

That sounds like a great idea as they may get gallery fatigue after a few days! May look into glass blowing or something too. Just got to find accommodation though first...

OP posts:
Ricekrispie22 · 21/06/2018 05:19

In my opinion, a week in Venice in January is too long, especially with teenagers. Gardaland's 'Magic Winter' runs until 6th January and it only takes 1hr30mins in the train from Venice. Unfortunately the two hotels at Gardaland aren't open then but there are several other hotels within a couple of miles that have free shuttles to the park. If I were you, I'd spend a few nights in Venice and then a couple of nights at gardaland.

Original poster
Bluemazarine · 21/06/2018 06:48

Ooh, never heard of that RiceKrispie so will look it up. Yes, I wonder if a week is too long. Id originally wanted to see Pompeii etc but discounted around there for the same reason. Think the teenagers would probably prefer a week skiing - problem is neither me nor DH ski! Food for thought...

OP posts:
eurochick · 21/06/2018 06:53

I also think a week is too long. 2 or 3 days would be about right.

Soloooo · 21/06/2018 06:56

I was going to say a week is too long in Venice even just as a couple.

Errrrrrr · 21/06/2018 07:02

Agree with pp, a week is too long, especially in January. What about getting a ferry to Croatia or Slovenia for a few days? It's a pretty short hop.

AnnaMagnani · 21/06/2018 07:07

Depends what you want to do - as a couple we found it not long enough!

However I am guessing your teens do not want to ensure they have seen every Bellini altarpiece in Venice so probably, it is too long.

The tours of the Doge's Palace are great. The Biennale will be over and that usually has some sort of teen-friendly weirdness as a break from the Renaissance.

Original poster
Bluemazarine · 21/06/2018 07:12

Thanks all, very helpful to hear your views. It's a difficult time of year to find somewhere not too long a flight away that has enough sights etc (and open!) to keep us there for a week!

OP posts:
donajimena · 21/06/2018 07:14

Majorca?

Enidblyton1 · 21/06/2018 07:38

We had a week in Venice with a 2 year old and 23 year old. It wasn’t too long. Just trying to remember what we did! From memory, we spent quite a bit of time on the vaporetti, went to Doge’s Palace, Peggy Guggenheim, saw a music concert, Murano/Burano, went in one of the Casa’s.
We didn’t leave Venice, but you can do day trips to Verona or Vincenza - both lovely places. I suppose it does slightly depend what sort of teenagers you have. As a teenager I found old churches fascinating (I know Blush). If you have that kind of teenager, a week in Venice will be fine.
I’ve never been in January, but Venice was wonderful in both November and February - quiet and atmospheric (misty).
Having been once during the Biennale, I agree with pp that it’s a shame that you’ll miss it. Definitely preferable to visit Venice durIng the Biennale. We went in so many amazing places that are not usually open to the public. And very varied art installations.

SJane45S · 21/06/2018 09:54

As above Verona is a good day trip or a day or two moving on from Venice (the journey on the standard train is about an hour 10 and can be booked cheaply in advance on Trenitalia). Gorgeous city - you could look in advance and see who's playing in the Arena (it's not all Opera!). Vicenza and Padua are also day trips from Venice but (sorry Enidblyton1) but neither really light my fire if I'm honest. The towns on Lake Garda are reachable from either Venice or Verona. If it was me, I'd fly into Venice for a couple of days, train to Verona, stay a couple of days and then fly out from there.

WickedGoodDoge · 22/06/2018 18:59

We went to Florence for a week this past February. We stayed in a fantastic two bedroom apartment (rented through Trip Advisor). We did a day trip to Rome (mad, but fun!) and another to Bologna, though you could also do Siena or Pisa or various other places. The weather was good- fairly mild and dry. If you aren’t set on Venice, I’d look at Florence, or maybe a few nights in one and a few nights in the other..

shank2 · 24/06/2018 07:42

went with teenagers and stayed at hotel georgione where we had shared a bathroom but our bed was on a mezzanine floor - we spent 4 days which was about right - went over to Murano ,went on a mystery walking tour which you pay what you think it was worth at the end, went up the tower which looks back towards st marks,had drinks each evening late in St Marks square which was a nice end to the evening.

NeverTalksToStrangers · 24/06/2018 07:45

I was coming on here to say Gardaland. So few people know it exists.

littlebillie · 24/06/2018 07:58

It's too long 3 days max

New posts on this thread. Refresh page