vince Posted 6 October, 2015 Share Posted 6 October, 2015 It's a big birthday for the wife this November, so we are going for 3 days (midweek - Tue-Thurs). Anyone been and have any tips, apart from don't buy anything from St Marks Square!! Good places to drink, eat etc? It's a bigger birthday than 21, so not necessarily after noisy night clubs, but you never know your luck........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 6 October, 2015 Share Posted 6 October, 2015 (edited) It's a big birthday for the wife this November, so we are going for 3 days (midweek - Tue-Thurs). Anyone been and have any tips, apart from don't buy anything from St Marks Square!! Good places to drink, eat etc? It's a bigger birthday than 21, so not necessarily after noisy night clubs, but you never know your luck........ Murano is where they make hand blown glass. Go see it being made here and then buy her something special. http://www.massimilianoschiavon.com/index.aspx?lang=en http://seguso.com/experience/ Edited 6 October, 2015 by buctootim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadoldgit Posted 6 October, 2015 Share Posted 6 October, 2015 I always thought Venice was overhyped until I went there. It is awesome. Avoid eating and drinking by the Grand Canal, the prices go through the roof! Other than that, just enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamilton Saint Posted 6 October, 2015 Share Posted 6 October, 2015 My wife and I will be there next week (Oct 13-17); we're staying in the San Polo area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horley CTFC Saint Posted 6 October, 2015 Share Posted 6 October, 2015 It floods a lot in November so take waterwings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted 6 October, 2015 Share Posted 6 October, 2015 It can get very crowded in the high season but you should be ok. I have always thought that if they filled in all the canals it would make life a lot easier for everybody You'll need this site: http://www.actv.it/en/movinginvenice/movinginvenice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CB Saint Posted 6 October, 2015 Share Posted 6 October, 2015 Don't worry too much about staying centrally, you can walk everywhere and you will need to burn the calories. Also part of the charm is getting hopelessly lost in the tiny street which aren't on the map and then wandering into a pretty piazza. Echo the the thoughts on mureno Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suewhistle Posted 6 October, 2015 Share Posted 6 October, 2015 Absolutely, walk and get lost. Nip across to the Giudecca, try back street bars where the locals go and generally keep your eyes open. Glass jewellery is a great gift: my last visit was by sail so I bought myself a square glass pendant with a dolphin image, but there is something for all tastes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Luke Posted 6 October, 2015 Share Posted 6 October, 2015 I've been in January (beautiful winter blue sky) and May (blue skies again) and no crowds both times. Got around on the river bus - get a 3 day pass if they still exist. Echo the Murano recommendation and just wander around finding little piazza's etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjii Posted 7 October, 2015 Share Posted 7 October, 2015 It's a big birthday for the wife this November, so we are going for 3 days (midweek - Tue-Thurs). Anyone been and have any tips, apart from don't buy anything from St Marks Square!! Good places to drink, eat etc? It's a bigger birthday than 21, so not necessarily after noisy night clubs, but you never know your luck........ Last time I went we actually stayed on Murano. It's a short ferry trip and there was a stop right outside the hotel. We stayed here: http://www.mgallery.com/gb/hotel-7353-lagare-hotel-venezia-mgallery-collection/index.shtml Very nice and new hotel. The restaurant and bar isn't cheap but is commensurate with hotel prices in London, for example. They will send their own water taxi to pick you up from Marco Polo if you're flying into there. There were a couple of decent places to eat on Murano (it is small); a small local restaurant and a nice pizzeria. As you note, tourist prices can be a joke around St Mark's Square... 10+ euros for a coffee, anyone? Look round the square and the basillica but take a short walk for your refreshments! That said, you don't have to go far to find "normal" prices. For eating, places where locals go will be best and won't take the **** like the tourist-aimed places will. Obviously if you want to go somewhere high-end then have a look on Tripadvisor and see what you like the look of. We went to a restaurant called Osteria Alle Testierre (I think). Nice but v small and quite expensive. Don't bother if you don't like fish or haven't booked ahead! The Doge's palace is worth a visit, along with the Murano glass factories and some of the other smaller islands but, as others have said, it is an interesting enough place to just wander around in and hop on and off the water busses from time to time. Gondola's are expensive and, frankly, I wouldn't relax on it enough to enjoy it any more than a water-bus ride. You should definitely check if flooding is likely when you are there and if it is take some wellington boots. I'm not joking, you don't want to be tetering around on the little tables they lay out and if you buy the plastic shoe covers then your feet will stay dry but you will become rather hot and sweaty and may knacker your shoes from the humidity anyway. Ugg boots beware. We went at the end of January and there was a good 18 inches or more of water in St Mark's square. I would suggest the chances of finding a noisy nightclub are slim to non-existent! It's a unique and atmoshpheric place. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Saint Posted 14 October, 2015 Share Posted 14 October, 2015 We went for my Wife's Birthday in November about 3 years ago, she had no idea where we were going until we got to check in. We struck gold with the weather as apparently it's normally a bit grey in November. And the hotel we stayed in also had Wellingtons for loan to guests should the tide come up over the paths. One thing that was accepted from the off was that it wasn't going to be cheap, but then neither is going to London for the day. I booked a shared max 8 people speed boat transfer from the airport through Venicelink which dropped us right by the hotel, and picked us up for our return is was something like €100 return, but there were cheaper options. We stayed in the Hotel Canal Grande, high up on TA, which was a small Boutique hotel near the bridge onto the island from the Train Station, it was in a nice Piazza overlooking the Grande Canal, again not cheap as we stayed Fri-Mon but it was very very nice. Our room was in the annex which made us look like a local when we came and went. Just round the corner was a very nice local Pizzeria called Antico Forno and it's still high up the Tripadvisor rankings, when you have been up since the crack of dawn flown in had a wander round and ready for a quiet evening it was just the spot. 8 sides of A4 choices of Pizza in the menu!!! Something we did do was buy a 24 hour Vaporetto ticket, which allowed you to hop on and off the water taxis at will, we bought it later in the afternoon which gave us plenty of time the next day to go to Murano and back with plenty of time to mooch around. A Gondola trip is pretty much a must do in Venice, the guys operating them are professionals and controlled by the local government, when we were there €80 for about 25-30mins was the norm, we struck lucky though when we returned from Murano and walked back over the bridge from the railway in one of the back water lanes there were a couple of Gondoliers touting for trade I asked the young lad how much he said €50 for about a trip of a kilometre, deal. And what a great trip we had he was just out of Gondolier School (bit like doing the knowledge) but learning languages the history of the city and "driving" the things. All the Gondolas are personally owned and cost back then just over €20,000. The fun bit was stopping to rest our feet and get a drink in Bacaro Jazz a great bar with a most interesting ceiling, watching live Premier League Footie getting slowly puddled on Bellini's which were on 2for1 (along with other drinks in on the deal) Enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Bognor Posted 14 October, 2015 Share Posted 14 October, 2015 I took my kids at the end of August. Absolutely loved it. Needed a hotel with a pool (not many hotels with pools in venice). Stayed at the Hilton on Giudecca. Stunning views from the roof top pool Was expensive in August, but only £100 a night at this time of year.... they run a free shuttle boat every 20 minutes to St Marks Square Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 14 October, 2015 Share Posted 14 October, 2015 We've been a few times as the wife loves the place. We usually stay at a family owned pension and simply spend the days bimbling around and nipping on and off water buses and just exploring. Spending carnival there was fun. We are taking the 3 kids to Rome/Florence/Venice at half term next year, doing it my train with flights into Rome and out of Milan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unbelievable Jeff Posted 14 October, 2015 Share Posted 14 October, 2015 Don't think it's reasonable to walk from the train station to St Marks square in 35 degree July weather. Teach me for being a cheap bastard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 14 October, 2015 Share Posted 14 October, 2015 I took my kids at the end of August. Absolutely loved it. How old are your kids Johnny? Ive been thinking about taking mine but wasn't sure they were old enough to appreciate it. The other option is going to Sicily seeing the mummies and climbing Etna. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Bognor Posted 14 October, 2015 Share Posted 14 October, 2015 How old are your kids Johnny? Ive been thinking about taking mine but wasn't sure they were old enough to appreciate it. The other option is going to Sicily seeing the mummies and climbing Etna. They're both 10 (twin girls). I wanted to go for a pool in case they got bored. Having said that, they only went in the pool once, as they loved mooching about and getting lost in the little side streets. But it was useful having it as a back up. We caught the bus from the airport @ €8 each to the bus station and then a water bus @ €8 each to St Marks Square. Then the shuttle boat to the hotel. Whilst it was a bit of a pain, it was a nice little adventure for €16 each. Venice can be expensive out and about, but they were quite happy grabbing a pizza for dinner. I went for an executive room at the hotel which include complimentary cooked breakfasts, soft drinks and snacks all day. We went back on forth on the shuttle boat a few times as it was the only free excursion. They, and consequently me, had a great time. Our other choice was Naples/Sorrento/Amalfi coast, as you have Vesuvius+Pompeii and one of the most stunning coastlines in the world. Maybe next year, although the girls want to go back to Venice again!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batman Posted 14 October, 2015 Share Posted 14 October, 2015 T Our other choice was Naples/Sorrento/Amalfi coast, as you have Vesuvius+Pompeii and one of the most stunning coastlines in the world. Maybe next year, although the girls want to go back to Venice again!! was there for the 2nd time recently. awesome area Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 14 October, 2015 Share Posted 14 October, 2015 They're both 10 (twin girls). I wanted to go for a pool in case they got bored. Having said that, they only went in the pool once, as they loved mooching about and getting lost in the little side streets. But it was useful having it as a back up. We caught the bus from the airport @ €8 each to the bus station and then a water bus @ €8 each to St Marks Square. Then the shuttle boat to the hotel. Whilst it was a bit of a pain, it was a nice little adventure for €16 each. Venice can be expensive out and about, but they were quite happy grabbing a pizza for dinner. I went for an executive room at the hotel which include complimentary cooked breakfasts, soft drinks and snacks all day. We went back on forth on the shuttle boat a few times as it was the only free excursion. They, and consequently me, had a great time. Our other choice was Naples/Sorrento/Amalfi coast, as you have Vesuvius+Pompeii and one of the most stunning coastlines in the world. Maybe next year, although the girls want to go back to Venice again!! My daughter is 10 too and my son 12, so sounds perfect, thanks. I've left it a bit late for this half term so will probably look to go next spring. Ive been to Sorrento and Capri but never made it round to Almalfi coast stretch so its definitely on the list. Taormina in Sicily is great too - especially if you want something a bit further south and warmer out of high season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 14 October, 2015 Share Posted 14 October, 2015 For family holidays (my kids are 13, 10 & you're be hard pressed to beat Tuscany as it offers a bit of everything for everyone although my favourite is across the mountains in Le Marche. I'm not to keen on Southern Italy although Sicily is excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Bognor Posted 14 October, 2015 Share Posted 14 October, 2015 We are taking the 3 kids to Rome/Florence/Venice at half term next year, doing it my train with flights into Rome and out of Milan. Now that's a holiday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyinthesky Posted 14 October, 2015 Share Posted 14 October, 2015 I took my kids at the end of August. Absolutely loved it. Needed a hotel with a pool (not many hotels with pools in venice). Stayed at the Hilton on Giudecca. Stunning views from the roof top pool Was expensive in August, but only £100 a night at this time of year.... they run a free shuttle boat every 20 minutes to St Marks Square Interesting that you were able to get a room at £100 per night I think the tariff starts from at least double that in busier times Saw the building from a cruise ship as it looked very impressive. Looked up the history of the building which started out as a grain store as well as a place where canal boats were built One of the original owners (Stuckey's?) was murdered near by Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Bognor Posted 14 October, 2015 Share Posted 14 October, 2015 Interesting that you were able to get a room at £100 per night I think the tariff starts from at least double that in busier times Saw the building from a cruise ship as it looked very impressive. Looked up the history of the building which started out as a grain store as well as a place where canal boats were built One of the original owners (Stuckey's?) was murdered near by £107 midweek in November.... https://www.expedia.co.uk/Venice-Hotels-Hilton-Molino-Stucky-Venice.h1583191.Hotel-Information?chkin=11%2F11%2F15&chkout=12%2F11%2F15&rm1=a2&hwrqCacheKey=6715086f-9e7b-4706-8e9f-137f86643771HWRQ1444842364200&c=9fda89df-2e43-4d59-9218-a6f5c42f1c4e& I paid £250 a night in August, which considering a London Hilton is that all year round, I thought was quite reasonable. I would thoroughly recommend it. Yes it is a fantastic building. Quite a few people were staying pre and post cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suewhistle Posted 14 October, 2015 Share Posted 14 October, 2015 We are taking the 3 kids to Rome/Florence/Venice at half term next year, doing it my train with flights into Rome and out of Milan. That sounds great! For others who haven't used the Italian rail service, it's very good value, even for longer distances. My sister recently visited old haunts in Rome and commented to my old mum to remember it as it was in the 60's when we lived there: it's now packed with tourists even at this time of the year. It's a great walking city though, so you can always find some less frequented nooks and crannies. Might be a good idea to install transponders on the kids though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlakeySFC Posted 15 October, 2015 Share Posted 15 October, 2015 Stayed by a nice hotel by the water when I went, can't remember the name of it right now though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 15 October, 2015 Share Posted 15 October, 2015 Stayed by a nice hotel by the water when I went, can't remember the name of it right now though. Lets see if we can help. Was it near a canal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 16 October, 2015 Share Posted 16 October, 2015 My Mrs has decided that we'll stay in Padua instead of Venice and train in for the day. Saves a fortune when there is 5 of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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