Mardi Gras in Venice - has anyone tried it with small children?

[dueinnovember]

Am thinking of going to Venice for Mardi Gras with DH and DD1 and 2 (aged 3yrs and 1yr) Has anyone tried it with young children and if so do you have any recommendations?

Sounds like sheer hell to be honest.

Sorry but agree with Moondog.

Venice is not an interesting place for children (and 3 days max for adults imo)

Depends on the kids. We'd have taken DS cos he's fairly easy going but I've no idea about two of them. or your kids.

Venice scary with wanderers I'd say.

DD1 is good when we're out at holding hands or riding on the buggy board if it's busy. Since first one was born have reconciled myself to only doing one thing a day when abroad and the rest of time being spent playing/eating (repeat 10 times!) It would also be followed by a more family friend stay somewhere so I don't feel too bad about a couple of days that isn't so child-centred. I just don't know how crowded it's likely to be. Wouldn't dream of taking them down Oxford St at this time of year for example.

I think you're absolutely right about a couple of days which aren't child centred. And hopping on and off the boats can be great fun. And ice cream. And pizza. Starting to sound fab!

No idea how crowded it is though, sorry.

Myrrhcy, sounds like you know a bit about Venice - what would your recommendations be if you had 3 days there (adults only)

Have pondered on booking something for DH for a treat and we haven't been to Venice yet, have heard it's expensive though so would have to get saving!!

When is Mardi Gras?

On separate subject, recent floods there looked awful.

Oh hang on stupid question. Easter isn't it?

It's all around Shrove Tuesday. Do you think the Italians call it Pancake day too? So apart from it being in February (freezing), flooded and full of scary masks sounds like a good idea? Also how easy is it to get around with a buggy-is everywhere cobbled?

You're slightly nuts
It will (by all accounts) be absolutely jam packed.
It is cobbled all over, cobbled and bumpy all over, I laughed when I read you intended to use a buggy board (sorry)
It is full of bridges with steps to get up them not slopes (IYSWIM), I mean bridges every 100 yards.
It is full of water do your dcs run away at all?

It is lovely and beautiful and amazing and you have to go there but could you wait until one (well both obviously) of your dcs is a bit older?

we went with dc aged 18 monthsish and my dh said often that he was fed up of all the cobbles bridges etc. (I did my fair share of carrying too)
Italy is lovely with dcs and the ice cream pizza etc fab, could you try Pisa/Florence instead?

oh and you will definately be going for yorselves what about Paris? lovely for dcs

I live here and have dd 2.8 and newborn . Don't do it - esp if you are coming over weekends. It gets PACKED in San Marco esp the last weeekend - I would not take my dd down there.
No we do not have cobbled streets but bridges !

Rosa, thank you. Have really wanted to hear from MNer who knows what its like at that time of year. We're planning quite a long trip away so maybe we'll go there a few weeks later at the end of our holiday rather than the start, when all the festivities are over. Do you have any recommendations for family friendly places to stay?

What kind of place are you looking for ( facilities etc)and in what kind of price range ??.might be able to give you some suggestions.

Hi Rosa. Our main requirements are somewhere in a good central location so we don't spend too long travelling once we arrive and big enough to fit the four of us so pref interconnecting rooms or big family room with a balcony so we can sit and have a glass of wine after the girls are asleep. Otherwise I don't mind. Our absolute max budget would be 300 Euros per night if it were really special but would rather spend closer to 180-200. Any ideas gratefully received!