Best guidebooks for venice or Italian phrase books?

[Leslaki]

Off to Italy in August and planning a day out in Venice (at least 1!!) but as I'll have the kids thought a guide book might be a good idea to plan out the things we HAVEto see. Also know no Italian and wondered if nayone had any recommendations on a good phrase book that's easy to use? Cheers!

Any tips welcome!!

we're staying here: www.portofelice.it

Most shops/cafe in Venice itself do speak English so I would say any small phrase book will be good.
Personally I like DK Eyewitness guides as they have VG illustrations - great for kids and adults.
Venice is fab but £££. Be prepared for it to stink though as the heat and the canals don't mix.
Also for the Aqua alta - when the canals burst their banks. (not sure if this happens in Summer )
Have a lovely time.

Venice will not smell its a complete myth . The canals go up and down with the tide and in summer tide changes are hardly anything so unless they are working on a canal and it is enclosed then it will not smell. ( In autumn / spring when we get really low tides and the silt is exposed that is when it smells for about an hour until the tide turns) Acqua Alta in August is also highly unlikely!
WHy not go to the library and have a look through the guide books as there are so many and all are different ( Blue guide in loads of detail ) DK one is good . Good book for children is Venice for Kids it is written for children and gives them things to look out for and simple explanations on things.
Yes most people speak some English but a per favore and a grazie always go down well. Contact me if I can help ( I live in Venice) if I don't see your posts I am regularly on little Italy thread.

Thanks guys!! Rosa, I think you've helped out before!! Grazie!

I'm travelling on my own up to Eraclea Mar with my dc's - can you tell me honestly if it's easy to get the local AVTO bus form Marco Polo to Eraclea Mare/Caorle with the kids? have visions of being very stressed in charge of a 5 yo, 6yo and 2 suitcases in the heat looking for a bus! Is it a lot more expensive to get a taxi?
My exh left us in march so this is the first 'family' holiday I'll have done on my own! Scary but exciting. Normally we go to France and I can get by in French but have no Italian whatsover!

Yes as long as your flights co incide with the direct bus www.atvo.it/orari/pdf/MarcoPolo.pdf

All buses go every day ( thats what the fF mean).
As you come out of arrivals ( trolleys available inside for cost of 1Euro coin refundable ) turn to your left and the ATVO desk is on the left. ALl the ATVO buses go from outside the airport there are rows with Numbered signs it is easy all flat and all very near.
As for a taxi I would guestimate about £50 try masterlimo. ( google it )they are a good company have used them in the past. YOu will have a ball don't worry !!
If you are outside of those times then you might have to go to san dona and change now that is not so easy .

hey thanks Rosa - you're a star! Hopefully our flights will be ok - arriving about 1030 am so fingers crossed there's no delays! Kids would prefer a bus I think and I'd rather save money and use it for smapling the local vino!! can't wait

Have just seen as closing the ATVO site that those times go up to 15/06 so come back and check again after that . I am guessing that there will in fact be more buses as the Italian schools close then and more people will be heading to the coast.

eyewitness books are great!!! I have the Venice one and also a CD for phrases and they are very very good. Cant recommend highly enough!

We've just got back from the area. Rough Guide was very very useful - especially with tips about getting around on the waterbuses and how to avoid parking in Venice (we parked at Mestre and got the train to the main part)

Get in touch with www.veniceitalianschool.com they will be able to advise on good guidebooks for children and the best children's sights.