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» franfolsom - Venice

I love this article. It tells me so much about Venice. I have not been there in years but after reading this I'm going to plan a trip for next spring.

Do you have any other helpful hints?

-- posted by franfolsom

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» Barbara Rogers - Venice

In response to Venice posted by franfolsom:

Oh, Fran, don't get me started! Here are a few to begin with:

1. Get a multi-day ticket for the vaparetto, so you don't have to count Euros every time you hop on and off. It can save you miles of walking (although you will certainly want to wander a lot -- but the vaparetto can save you trying to find your way back). You can use it to get to all the islands -- Lido, Murano, Burano, even Torcello.

2. If Venice's history fascinates you, visit Torcello, even though it will take a lot of time. This is where Venice began, and the church there has wonderful mosaics and stonework. Combine it with Murano (glass) and Burano (wonderful colored houses) for an island day, since they line up in a row. But do get off those islands before 5 or 6 pm because the boats are less frequent and there is hardly any place to have an evening meal on any of them.

3. Under no circumstances, take any of the "free" Murano glass factory tours from the city. They take a lot of time, are really high-pressure to sell and I know several people who have bought glass at the factories they go to (much of the glass is made elsewhere, by the way) and had it shipped -- only to get something else not nearly as nice as the piece they thought they were buying. The factories are all free, so you are better to wander in and out on your own.

4. For an economical lunch, look for cafes with bruschetta or panini sandwiches. These will often be displayed in the window -- or you can see them inside in a case at the bar. Much faster and cheaper than going into a restaurant, where the menu only includes dinner-type dishes.

5. Wander around St Mark's Square after dark. It is magical, with the basillica all lighted and music playing from the cafe orchestras. You can sit on the steps of the surrounding buildings to absorb the atmosphere and listen to the music, without paying the really high prices for a coffee or drink at the cafes there.

6. Strings of multi-colored beads make excellent souvenirs and gifts. Look for beads that are about the size of peas and have little lumpy spots of different colors. They are not expensive if you buy them on Murano, but are really expensive if you find them in North America.

7. Visit a mask maker in San Polo. You can watch them working, and no one pressures you to buy anything (but you'll want to!)

Stay tuned for articles and blogs on some of these subjects in the future.

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» franfolsom - Venice

In response to Venice posted by ciaomondo:

Wow this is great. My travel plans might include Rome, Turin and Lake Como. Can I look forward to seeing information about any of these in the upcoming weeks?

-- posted by franfolsom

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» Barbara Rogers - Venice

In response to Venice posted by franfolsom:

I'm getting so much interest in Italy that it's hard to resist writing about it all the time. But I am trying to get some articles posted about other parts of southern Europe, too. I do promise that Turin will be coming up soon -- by all means do plan to go there. Too many people skip it, and it is a wonderful city. Also Lake Como, which despite it's having been a resort since Roman times is still fresh and interesting. When I was there in April I spent several days just looking for it outstanding modern, art deco and art nouveau architecture.

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» citywoman1106 - Venice

In response to Venice posted by ciaomondo:

Enough about Venice--although Harry's Bar for a club sandwich or a Bellini [peach/champagne drink] is heavenly.... When you have a chance, some lodging suggestions for Florence, my own fav city in the world, would be delightful. So lovely to get all this great info. Thanks much.

-- posted by citywoman1106

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» Barbara Rogers - Venice

In response to Venice posted by citywoman1106:

The most heavenly place I have stayed in Florence is pretty pricey, but a wonderful place to retreat after a day fighting the crowds. Hotel Villa La Vedetta sits overlooking the city from the hill, just below Piazza Michelangeolo. That’s the overlook where everyone goes for that ‘perfect’ view of Florence. Villa La Vedetta has the same view, but from a terraced garden, instead of a parking lot filled with tour buses. Rooms are beautiful, with all the conveniences, inlaid marble baths, huge windows overlooking the gardens and the city, and a really helpful and personable English-speaking staff. They provide free parking and a free shuttle down to the city, so you can arrive with or without a car. The villa itself is a lovely Art Deco building. And if you’re there in the steamy summer, there’s a pool with fine views of Brunelleschi’s Dome. Stay tuned for a more varied rundown of Florence lodging, which will include a campground with a view and some other budget-moderate choices.

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» franfolsom - Venice

In response to Venice posted by ciaomondo:

I've seen Venice from the bottom up. Last time there I was stepping off of a vaporette and mis-judged where the dock was, next thing I knew I was being plucked out of the canal. The hotel was very nice about cleaning my squishy clothes and offering me a tetanus shot!

The city I can't wait to go to is Bologna, the food, the wine, everything about it sounds beautiful.

-- posted by franfolsom

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» Barbara Rogers - Venice

In response to Venice posted by franfolsom:

How awful! So lucky you were not caught -- and crushed -- between the boat and dock! I always worry about that during high water or when the water is rough -- especially worrysome with kids in hand. Knock wood, the nearest brush I've had with canal water has been losing a few lens caps from bridge railings.

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» Jennifer W. Miner - Venice and FLORENCE

In response to Venice posted by ciaomondo:
Hey you guys! I can't believe I've been missing out on this great conversation! I lo-o-o-ve Florence, and was last there in May/June (though it's a pain to get to from California, believe you me). If it's not too late, I'd like to put my two cents in about great hotels in Florence:
These are all great.
And I wrote a blog about just how bad the travel was to get there, as a warning to others:
Don't take Air France. Well, not if you can help it, anyway.
Barbara, I would be totally excited if you did write all your articles about Italy, but I guess that would leave a lot of S. Europe untouched, eh? I'm glad I (belatedly) found this section.
Jen

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» Stillman Rogers - Locanda Silva

In response to affordable lodgings posted by ciaomondo:

I have stayed at Locanda Silva, and can report that the staff is very helpful. I arrived in Malpensa airport one morning, but my luggage went somewhere else. I hung around for the next plane, but still no luggage, so I went on to Venice and checked in at the Silva.

They called regularly to remind Air France that I was without clothes, loaned me an alarm clock, directed me to a shop where I could buy fresh underwear and a new shirt (not such an easy thing in Venice, unless you want designer labels on them), and were generally sympathetic.

While I was at breakfast on the third morning, the manager found me and said that my suitcase was on its way. I followed him to the lobby, in time to see my battered green suitcase arrive at the hotel's watergate, sitting all by itself in the passenger seat of a little boat. I wish I could have interviewed it to hear its adventures.

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