A trip to Venice-Italy information?

Question

Hi

i am planning a surprise trip for my wife to Venice in mid of december for our wedding anniversary. The flight will reach at Treviso airport at 18:00. I have few questions which i would like to know before making all the arrangements.

1. Will it be ok to reach at the airport at 18:00, how will we get to our hotel then.

2. Is it safe to wander in Venice at this time, i mean after dawn and at night.

3. Is the time of year (mid december) ok for visiting Venice.

4. How much cash should i take with me other than the hotel rent. for food, taxis etc...

4. Any other point that i may know before going there.

Any comments, experiences are welcome....

Regards

Answer 1

1st off, don't travel with cash.  Hit an ATM everyother day, carrying spending money for a week is asking for trouble.

Take the train from the airport to Venice, then a waterbus close to your hotel.  Once you book your hotel they will tell you the best way.  Venice is fine at night - tourist season picks up again in December.  Study a map of the city that include the waterbus routes - at least from the train station to your hotel - the last thing you'll want after travelling is to be walking in circles.

Avoid water taxis at all costs.  For two people w/o hotel plan on 150-200 a day.  You can't leave without some Murano glass, but buying anything else with the exchange rate where it is silly.  Look into the waterbus schedule and bring good walking shoes that will keep your feet dry.

Answer 2

I have been to Venice a few times, but always arrived by train. There is a train that terminates just outside the old city, it runs every 1/2 hour or so. I don't know where the airport is -  if you're an experienced traveler you can get yourself from the airport to Venice by train. Otherwise, you'll have to take a taxi.

Venice is very safe. You can get desperately lost, but you won't get mugged. The last time I was there was early November, it was great. Think about taking ATM card & credit card instead of loads of cash.

The first morning you're there, learn to ride the vaporetto, which is the public motorboat system that functions like city buses. You can get a day pass, ride all around Venice and get your bearings. The interior parts of the city are accessible only by foot.

Be sure to go out to the island of Murano and see the glass making shops!

Answer 3

I was in Italy March 07.  

1.  Reaching the airport at 18:00 should be fine.  Depending on your budget will decide how you get to your hotel.  I took a water taxi, but it was a waste of money and time.  Also, depending on the the light there (I live in the US, so I am not sure) it's a waste of money.  Just beyond the water taxis there waterbus is at the end of the pier.  You're hotel will be able to tell you what stop to get off at.   Once you get off you will find many of the hotels have signs directing you in the right direction.  

2.  I felt very safe in Venice.  My wonderful guy spent our whole 3 days in Venice in the hospital.  By the way don't get sick, it's crazy.  The people are very nice.

3.  It will probably be pretty chili.  Venice is pretty far north, and it's on the water.  In late March I needed a mid thickness jacket, especially when I was close to the big canal.  

4.  For money, I suppose it depends on how long you are going to be there.  Venice is pretty expensive.  I don't know if I would wait to get there before I booked a hotel.  It would just make me too nervous.  But check near the Termini.  There a a few nice hotels that are pretty inexpensive, but it's not in middle of the bustle.  Let me say though, Venice is really small, you can walk it easily.  Check out the Hotel Abbazia, that's where we stayed.  We weren't on the main canal, but the room was lovely, the bathroom exquisite, the breakfast delish, and the staff amazing.  I heard them speaking in every language from Farsi to English to Japanese.  As for food, breakfast is generally free, take advantage you will be doing a lot of walking.  For lunches, grab a panini and a fresh squeezed OJ in a Tabacchi.  Don't sit down unless you want to double your lunch fee.  For dinner, don't eat anywhere that has an American menu.  Get off the beaten path down some dark alley.   I would expect at least $100 a day per person to have a good time and not be concerned about money if you do it this way.  More if you plan on sitting down for lunch.  I sat for lunch by myself one day for a few hours.  I had a half caraffe of house red, a plate of carbonara, bread, water (you pay for water) and it ended up costing me about 30Euro.

5.  Once you get settled in your hotel just enjoy getting lost.  That is the best part about Venice.  I don't think there are any straight parallel or perpendicular roads in Venice.  Just remember what waterbus stop you need to get off at to get back to your hotel.  There are no cars in Venice, so all you have is the water taxis.  We spent $25 for about a 20 minute ride from the Airport, I wouldn't do that again.  Also, because my guy was in the hospital the whole time I didn't do the gondola ride.  Be careful though, I had to share my taxi and often gondola rides are shared too.  If you want romantic moments alone it's going to cost you more.

Answer 4

little cash -use your ATM and credit cards =very safe -but be care full of pick pockets=don't eat were you see tourist menus -eat off the tourist areas-best site to check out is ( vitual tourist,com )

Answer 5

I have visited Venice several times but have always arrived by train.  I believe boats run from the airport to the main stops in Venice.  I always e-mail the hotel where I am staying and ask them for the best way to get from the airport to the hotel.  They have always been very helpful to me.

There are ATM's all over Venice so you will not need much cash.  You and your wife should each carry a credit card in case one of you loses theirs.

18:00 is not that late.  I have walked round Venice from early morning until 22:00 or 23:00 and have not had a problem.  Later at night I tend to stay will the crowds and visit the more remote areas during the day.

My best piece of advice for traveling to Venice:  Pack light.  Depending on where you are staying you could be carrying your luggage a long way, over bridges and through narrow streets.

Answer 6

1. From the Treviso A/P there are buses going to Venice. There will be no problem getting to Venice's bus terminal - Piazzale Roma. There is no water transport from the Treviso A/P to Venice. You can get your water transport either from Marco Polo A/P or right there at Piazzale Roma.

1B. Depending on where your hotel is you may decide to take the vaporetto (6 euro each + a ticket for each bag) or a taxi. If the hotel does not have a water access then it isn't all that worth taking the taxi because you'll have to still drag your bags about.

2. Yea, it's cool walking around after dark in Venice.

3. Any time of the year is fine.... It may be cold but walking (around town) should keep you warm enough. Bring hats and scarves.

4. As a tourist you really should not walk around with too much of anything. Leave the bulk of your monies in the hotel safe. This goes for credit cards - you shouldn't have to walk around with more than 2 cards and... let's say 100 euro to cover drinks, coffee, snacks & souviners.

5. Read up on Venice before going. You'll impress your wife and enjoy your stay so much more.

PS - "Don Q" - as in the rum?