Venice

Dougie · Venice

elainem

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 4

PostPosted: 10 Jan 2006 11:04 pm Post subject: venice Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Delete this post View IP address of poster

Hi, I went to Venice last year. It is a beautiful place and i will certainly go again but would advise some caution - I was dreadfully bitten by mossies! So bad that I had to have medical treatment on holiday and again when i returned home. Sad

It was my fault - I took mossie deterrant - and didn't use it Rolling Eyes - as I had never been bitten before - so I learned the hard way to be sensible in future.

Anyway, do visit Venice and enjoy it's splendours Very Happy - but be mindful of the mossies!! Very Happy

Elaine xx
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silverpixie1uk

Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 11

PostPosted: 12 Jan 2006 04:47 am Post subject: Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Delete this post View IP address of poster

Elaine, please can you tell me what time of the year you visited Venice as we are going to do a trip there when we go to Lake Garda this year. I'm afraid that the little pests love me and have made me quite ill in the past also. We have chosen to go in September as in high season the Lake is quite bad with them.

Thanks
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elainem

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 4

PostPosted: 13 Jan 2006 11:44 pm Post subject: Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Delete this post View IP address of poster

Hi Lynn,

I went in June last year. When I got bitten, the bites didn't particularly hurt at the time, but within a few hours - wow, ouch!!

I have learnt since that the mossies there are particularly virulent - they must be 'cos I've never been bothered with the little darlings before - or since!! Rolling Eyes

Nevertheless, Venice was / is beautiful and well worth it. Just be sensible, use the repellants and you should be ok Very Happy

If there is anything I can help you with, please ask and I will do my best. Very Happy

Oh yes, another thing - don't be tempted to buy any ' designer ' bags from the street vendors - the police are vigilant and will fine you excessively for supporting counterfeight cime Crying or Very sad

Elaine xx
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elainem

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 4

PostPosted: 14 Jan 2006 11:15 am Post subject: Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Delete this post View IP address of poster

Here is a link to a webcam on the Grand Canal, Venice:

http://turismo.regione.veneto.it/webcam/webcam2.html

enjoy

Elaine x
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silverpixie1uk

Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 11

PostPosted: 14 Jan 2006 12:43 pm Post subject: Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Delete this post View IP address of poster

Thanks Elaine, brilliant webcam Laughing I've heard that Venice can be very expensive, is there any where to eat on a budget, like burgers etc? There is so much I want to see while we are in Italy that the sightseeing is going to cost nearly as much as the holiday. Shocked Laughing
I'm gutted about the handbags, that was on my list of 'things to buy' Crying or Very sad I'm sure I will think of other things to ask before we go, thanks again.
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elainem

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 4

PostPosted: 15 Jan 2006 11:09 pm Post subject: Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Delete this post View IP address of poster

Hi Lynn,

there are lots of reasonable places to eat - best to steer clear of places in the touristy areas - like St Marks square - but there are so many little backstreets with good places, you are bound to find something reasonable. Like most everyone who goes, you will probably get lost down all the little streets but that is part of the fun of Venice. If you do find something interesting that you want to buy, buy it 'cos you may never find the shop again once you've wandered off Laughing

Lots of good bag shops on the Rialto bridge!!

Elaine xx

elainem

Loved Venice so much last year that I have booked to return in July

here is a webcam link to more pictures of Venice:

http://www.comune.venezia.it/webcam/

Enjoy.....

Elaine

Acorncup

Oh great Elaine, thanks! I've only just spotted this section.

We're hoping to go on a day trip to Venice from Croatia while we're there this summer.

What time of day do the mossies come out? Is it only after dark????

elainem

hi, beware, the little critters are out at any time!! Make sure that you use repellant - last year i took it, but didn't use it as I am not usually bitten - and they got me

and it was predominantly in the day.

I have got my stuff ready for July and also the Avon Woodland fresh dry oil spray as I believe it is good protection.

Even though i was badly bitten, I am still going back - it is a truly magical place. I am staying in a different hotel as i don't want to spoil my memories from last year, if that makes sense, plus, it will be 'new' again.

I am staying on the main island this time, last year I stayed on the Lido.

I'm sure you will enjoy it - and the icecream is divine

Elaine x

pedpolly

We did Venice twice, once in November and again in mid June and never once saw a mozzie. We stayed in Mestre just oustside venice at the hotel trieste.Best thing about it we went with easyjet and the 3 day trip included bed and breakfast and flights and was less than a hundred quid. Venice itself was not expensive if you ate well away from st marks.

elainem

just returned from a long weekend in Venice. Flew with Ryanair from Liverpool - got a cheap return flight.

Stayed at a lovely B&B - Al Campaniel in the San Polo district. So near the San Toma vaporetta stop - a very short walk - and the area was lovely. The B&B is run by Marco and Gloria and is very reasonable rates, with single and double rooms. Breakfast is continental with cereal,juice, assorted rolls and tea / coffee - ample to prepare you for exploring the delights of Venice. I will certainly book again next time I return to Venice. I think, though, that I much prefer the Marco Polo airport in Venice rather than the one at treviso.

There are plenty of decent restaurants in the area and for those of us who like chocolate, there is a chocalatier just facing the B&B. Venice can be quite expensive but this short break demonstrated to me that you don't have to spend a fortune on accommodation. The internet is invaluable for information on hotel reviews etc and as long as you remember that every one has different pespectives / expectations, it is possible to make a good choice at the right price.

I was very pleased with Al Campaniel and highly recommend it.

Elaine xx

ps - still got badly bitten by the mossies, despite taking every precaution

pedpolly

We have been twice to venice and my good lady always suffers from mozzie bites when we go to mallorca but to be honest we never saw a single mozzie in Venice. I always thought they thrive more in standing water and swaps than flowing sea water on which venice stands.
The first time we went was in November and we returned the following June, November was best for sight seeing as there where no queues for any of the big attractions like the basillica.

Tango Bunny

Must say I wasn't impressed with it
We went on a day trip from Croatia by hydrofoil.
I found it smelly and expensive.
Loved the architecture but that was about it
Final insult was being charged the equivalent of £1 to go for a wazz and the gestapo toilet attendant refused to let 2 of us go in together.
Not a place I'd visit again in a hurry....but I didn't see any mozzies while I was there

pedpolly

Its very expensive in and around st marks square but we always ate on the outskirts , there was one restaurant near the rialto fish market that did a massive pitza for around a fiver though. I have heard people say its smelly there but on the 2 times we went it was ok. As for the loo,s there where some down a narrow street that charged a euro but they were clean and attended , the solution to that problem is to go into a cafe or bar and use thier facilitys

elainem

lovely picture pedpolly.
Am debating whether to go to Lake Garda later this year - Malcesine. - but the deal you had looked good with Easy jet, may try them again. Would like to go back to Venice. At those types of prices, maybe afford both.......and leave me with extra spends to stock up on mossie spray

Elaine

Silverpixie (Admin)

Elaine, we stayed on the opposite side of the lake to Malcesine, in Limone, the whole area is gorgeous but quite hilly. There are some beautiful walks although I wasn't able to go very far myself we saw the walkers from the cable car. We did a day trip to Venice and up into the Dolomites and didn't see a single mossie in Venice in Sept.

I could return again and again to Italy.

Pam7

OOO gettin' cited now!

We're off there this Wednesday...and both spent last night going through ALL the info that I've gleaned from everyone (

thanks Ped and Tony) - and getting together the 'must see's' etc etc ...as well as the 'how to's'

Silverpixie (Admin)

Pam whatever you do take a very secure handbag and if necessary get hubby a money belt because the pick pockets are rife in crowded places. Watch out especially when you are on the bridge where you can view the Bridge of Sighs you can see from this picture how crowded it gets.

And don't forget its illegal to buy the fake designer handbags from the pavement sellers no matter how good they are.

Have a good time, I'm so envious

Pam7

Cheers Lyn - will do!

I've got a confession to make.

....

....

....

I got my St Marks Square muddled up... ... ..... thought there was just the ONE St Marks Square... where the Vatican is...didn't know Vatican was in Rome..not Venice

Thought I'd see loadsa nuns

O.H. was like this...

I'll get me coat!

McBabe

Acorncup

ooh didn't realise it was soo soon

how exciting

we spent a day in Venice last summer, on a trip from Croatia. Luckily for you, it probably won't be hot in March....it was absolutely BOILING in August, we just didn't have the energy to explore too much.......

it seems very easy to get lost....so get a map

every corner and every street is worth a photo though...I'll post some of ours in a mo.....

Pam7

erm...cheers McBabe!!!

pmsl!

Yes...I've been bending Tony's ear as well as Pedpolly's!

I'm pleased we've got a a hot buffet breakfast...Tony had the continental one...which was crap

(I didn't ring you last night...cos I thought O.H. would be home!...will ring you Monday!

xx)

Pam7

Oh sorry Acorncup!!! I wasn't ignoring you...think we posted almost the same time!!!

I've printed a lot of stuff off from internet....but some I've duplicated...so now I've got in even more of a muddle! Think we won't bother with the ORANGE cards..they're the ones that give you free transport and entrance into ...erm... lots of places..but some we probably wouldn't be going into anyway! I KNOW that we want to try and get booked onto the 'Secret Itinery Tour' of the Doges Palace...there's three trips a day..and takes you behind the scenes where 'normal' tourists don't get to see. We WILL be getting the 3 day travel pass though...I'm practising getting on and off water taxis at the moment

(I've got a bowl of water on the floor

)

Lady at the gym ran off a load of maps...some street maps...and also the 'route' that the water taxi's take...and the numbers of them!

I was reading about the islands....and Burano Island was marked as ESSENTIAL to visit....

I think this is the island with the pastel coloured houses?? Which other ones are worth a trip? Murano for the glass? Theres also a Tourano Island?? and is it worth visiting Lido Island??

Acorncup

here is a typical view complete with gondolas

here is me looking wilted in the heat

here is a small back "street"...must be the back of a shop or dressmakers? I loved the way the green top matched the colour of the water!

here is a mask shop, don't they look beautiful?

Pam7

WONDERFUL pictures Acorncup!!!! Our eldest son was camping in Italy...and paid visit to Venice. They got COMPLETELY lost in the back streets...and ended up having to knock on somebodys door!

They couldn't speak English...so moved him on to the person next door...and so on..and so on..until somebody could help them

He brought us back a small mask..which we have hanging on the wall in the dining room....

Pam7

That reminds me... a neighbour of ours..when it was his 50th his wife did a 'surprise' trip to Italy. They were coming down the stairs of the hotel one evening..and there was a masked ball taking place!! His wife said that they should just look in the ballroom as they were on their way out....he kept saying no they shouldn't. Anyway...she managed to get him into the room....and everybody 'dropped' their masks! It was all his family and loads of friends, business associates etc...who had all come to join him for a party! How wonderful!

pedpolly

The souvenier shops are full of those masks but a good idea is to get the tapestrys that you can frame they can be folded into your suitcase with no bother , they had loads while we were there all nice venice scenes.

McBabe

Come on then Pam, Lets have a report and some photos

Pam7

Ok.....It was absolutely brilliant...hotel superb (I've got inside pics of room too

).

Took squilllion pictures...here are just a few. The weather was absolutely glorious. I carted my coat around with me 'just in case' for two of the days..and at times put it on because I was fed up carrying it..but then roasted!

We walked 7+ hours per day...through the backstreets too...magic! We took the waterbus to Burano Island (45minutes away). Fantastic little place with brightly coloured houses! Loads of washing hanging to dry...I just HAD to get the pic of the Y fronts hanging out to dry ..which met you as you walked from the waterbus into the square!

Far far exceeded my wildest dreams!

Acorncup

oh they're lovely pam...it looks a squillion times less crowded than when we were there in July!!!! St Mark's Square was chocker

.Fancy you going up the basilica (is that what they call it?) by the horses...we heard all about how they're not the original ones, but replicas.....

and I love the street scenes, and the little houses, we never got that far....St mark's square...a few alleyways....Rialto bridge...and that was us exhausted

it was so HOT

oh apart from the HIKE from the ferry port

It sure looks as though you had a wonderful time, and a good chance to explore the whole area

hey I didn;t know brian lived in Venice? I assume those were his pants?

Pam7

McBabe

Lovely pictures Pam and was Colins knee ok?

love the undies........Brian might be a bit embarrassed though.

Pam7

Yes McBabe...he's 'new' knee stood up well....towards the end of each day though he was really struggling with the knee still to be done. He'd never have managed this trip before the op.

Here's some pics of the room.....there IS a bath with a shower over...but I forgot to take pic of that

They left you a chocolate on bedside table each night too

Colin's t shirt on the bed!! tut!

McBabe

That looks very elegant.

Hope he get his other kneee done soon, he'll be chasing you round the bedroom then

Silverpixie (Admin)

Fab pictures Pam, it makes me want to go back even more, its a lot less crowded than when we went in Sept.