Venice

[DisneyDaffodil]

Originally Posted by SimonB

Currently sat on the water bus going from Murano to Venice. Freezing cold but it’s lovely here. Tonnes of walking to do and google maps is a godsend after wandering aimlessly and you want to find the water bus stop.

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Glad you are enjoying it. I have been looking at routes for our hotel on Google maps too. Really looking forward to our trip in the summer there.

[SimonB]

It’s great but I’m totally underwhelmed by St Marks square though. Basilica has rude entrance staff and we’ve found loads of friendly local churches here that are far more welcoming with stunning architecture

[DisneyDaffodil]

Originally Posted by SimonB

It’s great but I’m totally underwhelmed by St Marks square though. Basilica has rude entrance staff and we’ve found loads of friendly local churches here that are far more welcoming with stunning architecture

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I feel St Marks square is going to be very touristy and crowded (especially in the summer for our visit). I think it's somewhere we have to visit to 'tick off the list' but there seems to be nicer, less over-commercialised parts of Venice that we may prefer. Good to hear you have found some of the quieter, friendlier churches etc.

[Alices Aunt]

Hi i can’t remember where I saw it but there was a guide to Venice that recommended starting with the campinalie at its opening time then the basilica and then booking the 11am guided tour of the doges palace. That way if you decide you don’t like the area then it’s done in one morning. On a note don’t take a bag any bigger than a handbag to the basilica or you have to check it before entering. They are keen on this as I saw people sent away to check their bags.

The 3 lidos tour was half a day. We booked and then walked down to the dock. It was lovely but I didn’t think we had long enough in Burano, they were prompt leaving and left people behind who were minutes late to the dock when leaving.

We got the boat from the airport and it’s beautiful. I think sitting on the right side give you a lovely view.

Oh and google maps didn’t work for us but everywhere has signs to either Rialto or St Marks sq so you can reorient.

Can’t comment about food as I we stayed about 10mins walk from Rialto so the prices were reasonable and the wine was nice.

[d4rr3ll]

Love Venice, we went a couple of years ago. Only a couple of tips from me:

Book a guided tour around Doge's Palace with Dark Rome tours, you get to go in the roof and see the cells, and pop out of a secret door at the end of the tour.

Visit St Marks Square about 1:30am, we ended up there on our way back to the hotel after finding a local bar along along the 'front' - completely empty.

I would post an image, but don't have enough forums voodoo yet.

[DisneyDaffodil]

Originally Posted by Alices Aunt

Hi i can’t remember where I saw it but there was a guide to Venice that recommended starting with the campinalie at its opening time then the basilica and then booking the 11am guided tour of the doges palace. That way if you decide you don’t like the area then it’s done in one morning. On a note don’t take a bag any bigger than a handbag to the basilica or you have to check it before entering. They are keen on this as I saw people sent away to check their bags.

The 3 lidos tour was half a day. We booked and then walked down to the dock. It was lovely but I didn’t think we had long enough in Burano, they were prompt leaving and left people behind who were minutes late to the dock when leaving.

We got the boat from the airport and it’s beautiful. I think sitting on the right side give you a lovely view.

Oh and google maps didn’t work for us but everywhere has signs to either Rialto or St Marks sq so you can reorient.

Can’t comment about food as I we stayed about 10mins walk from Rialto so the prices were reasonable and the wine was nice.

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Thanks, some great tips. I didn't know about bags at the Basilicia so I will be sure to take a small one. Useful to know about the signs, our hotel is also around 10 minutes from Rialto Bridge so we should be able to find our way from there.

Do you have any recommended places to eat around Rialto Bridge? Our hotel is close to Ca D'oro vaporetto stop and Strada Nouvo. Don't know if that is close to where you stayed. Pleased to hear the wine is nice 😀

[DisneyDaffodil]

Originally Posted by d4rr3ll

Love Venice, we went a couple of years ago. Only a couple of tips from me:

Book a guided tour around Doge's Palace with Dark Rome tours, you get to go in the roof and see the cells, and pop out of a secret door at the end of the tour.

Visit St Marks Square about 1:30am, we ended up there on our way back to the hotel after finding a local bar along along the 'front' - completely empty.

I would post an image, but don't have enough forums voodoo yet.

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Thank you, I'm pleased you enjoyed it. Since we booked everyone we have spoken to who has been has said they enjoyed it, so we are really looking forward to it.

[SimonB]

Yes, as posted above the rucksack and bag rule is enforced rigidly for English speakers entering the Basilica. The way the guy was speaking to people was more akin to a nightclub bouncer than a warden of the Catholic Church. I saw a pensioner visibly upset and bewildered at his treatment. Going into the churches was totally opposite. They welcomed you and the opportunity to light candles to remember loved ones was a far more fulfilling experience and seemed like the proper Venice.

[DisneyDaffodil]

Originally Posted by SimonB

Yes, as posted above the rucksack and bag rule is enforced rigidly for English speakers entering the Basilica. The way the guy was speaking to people was more akin to a nightclub bouncer than a warden of the Catholic Church. I saw a pensioner visibly upset and bewildered at his treatment. Going into the churches was totally opposite. They welcomed you and the opportunity to light candles to remember loved ones was a far more fulfilling experience and seemed like the proper Venice.

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The churches sound beautiful and peaceful. I am a little confused as some guidebooks say entry to churches are free, others say donation and other say there is an entry charge. Which is it, or does it vary? Is it clear which are free, if any, before you enter? Hope you enjoy the rest of your stay 😊

[SimonB]

Originally Posted by DisneyDaffodil

The churches sound beautiful and peaceful. I am a little confused as some guidebooks say entry to churches are free, others say donation and other say there is an entry charge. Which is it, or does it vary? Is it clear which are free, if any, before you enter? Hope you enjoy the rest of your stay 😊

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The churches we went in today were free to enter . One did have a desk with a voluntary donation box and I put some loose change in. All staff in the churches have been great and they are a lot brighter inside than the Basilica which we found to be very dark. My wife is a practicing catholic and found the normal churches an absolute joy to see but they welcome everyone.

If there is one thing I could say is break away from the main tourist drag and you will see a more relaxed and friendly side of Venice