I am in venice with familly on vaccation and so far my dad is not liking it.?

Question

He is not interested in art, which is visibly the only thing to do or see in Venice, then there are the Gondola rides which are too expensive . Is there anything else we can do on a budget?

Answer 1

Yes. Go on a tour of Padova and Verona, and also take a boat tour of the Venetian villas from Padova that ends in Venice. Try to get a train down to Florence for a fun day trip.

Venice is really only a two-day city -- try to get out of there and see some other parts of Italy.

Answer 2

Take him to the Taverna San Trovaso, just around the corner from the Accademia Galleries when he can have one of the best pizzas or calzones in town. There is a good little tavern next to the Guggenheim where the beers are cold and you can sit in the back and read your paper (get him the Herald Tribune at the stand next to the Accademia). Cà Pesaro has a collection of modern art.... but the newly restored building (it's a real gem) has a full collection of ancient oriental arms (as in things to kill with) that my fancy him.

There is a naval museum which may a cool thing for him to take in.

Take him to the Rialto area - if he doesn't like the market then he can warm up in one of the many taverns in the area.

Answer 3

I was in Venice and for me, it is the most beautiful city in the world.  For me, there was nothing not to like.  A lot of Italy, not just Venice, is about art and that is a large part of the attraction to all of Italy.

If you don't want to to get on a gondola try this:

Public transportation is great in Venice - the "vaporetta" water bus is their public transportation. You can buy an all day pass for about $15 Euros (might have changed in the last year since my visit).  You can then ride the Vaporetta all day with your pass, jumping on and off at whatever stops you want.  You'll see the stops all along the canal.  Buy your ticket from the window and just wait for the next Vaporetta to pull up to th estop.  When you first get there, take the #1 Vaporetta - it goes from one end of the canal to the other. You can see all the sights from the boat and decide what you want to do later on. Wait around at the back where there are a few outside seats on the back deck. When someone leaves, grab a seat quickly, enjoy the great view and take lots of pictures.

There is music in St. Mark's square every night. Free to listen to and dancing in the square in encouraged. You only have to pay if you want to sit in one of the chairs.

For a cheaper version of the gondola, try the "traghetta". This is "gondola-like" and will take you across the canal from one side to another for only 1.50 Euro. A bargain.  It is a short ride, just across the canal, but it is a gondola like ride so at least you've tried something like a gondola while in Venice.  If you don't know where it stops ask someone.  When we were in Venice, we found almost everyone spoke English and were all friendly and very helpful.

Enjoy Venezia! It's beautiful and there is no other place in the world like it.  I hope you are out and not in a hotel.  It's a shame to waste a trip to such a beautiful place, if even your dad is not interested in visiting the historical places like St. Mark's Basilicia and Doge's Palace to name just a few..

Answer 4

next time send him to watch football games, money better spent.

Answer 5

We had a lovely few days in "Venezia" - catching a boat out to the island of Burano was a highlight for me - it is a lovely little fishing village with really colourful painted homes -  - there is a shopping area and some lovely little restaurants - a beautiful place I hope to return to one day!

Answer 6

Venice isn't a particularly good choice for someone on a limited budget since it is pretty expensive. At other times of year, there might be festivals like Il Redentore (July) or Carnevale to experience, but the time between Christmas and New Years is pretty quiet - lots of concerts, but not much else until the 6th of January when they will have boat races with the rowers dressed as witches. In the summer, the beach would be an option.

Do go see the fireworks tonight for New Year's - fireworks in Italy are spectacular - especially over the lagoon in Venice.

There are other cities and towns worth visiting that are a short distance by train, but the main attraction will be art and architecture. He might be interested in a trip into the Alps for the scenery if the weather is nice enough.

Answer 7

No disrespect intended....but....

Going to Venice and not liking art is like going to Disneyworld and not liking children or rides. What was he expecting to find in a city that was founded about 1500 years ago?

Answer 8

Anyone on holiday in Venice who is not liking it is insane !

If you really can't even afford the boat rides, you're stuck, because otherwise there are some islands to explore. You can also get the train to the mainland, to Verona for instance.

I don't understand why you would pick Venice for a vacation if you don't like that kind of thing.

Try Costa del Sol next year.

Answer 9

It's a shame your Dad is not enjoying Venice. Try something a bit different.

I suggest an all-day vaporetto ticket and go right around the Grand Canal; go across to Murano and see a glassblowing demonstration, also go to Burano and see the beautiful buildings. Have you fed the pigeons in St Marks? Have you watched the clock to see the men come out? Go for a walk around the "back streets" and buy some local food. Go across to Lido on the vaporetto and walk over to the beach - about a kilometre or so from the wharf.

Good Luck. I hope your Dad cheers up.

Answer 10

Why did you go to Venice?? Everyone knows what is like in Venice. Did you not do your homework. You know what your dad is like, surely? I dont like art either so I would not spend too much time in Venice or Florence.  Spend some time with your dad - cafes, old buildings, walking etc No wonder he"is not liking it" as you say or just simple does not like it.

Answer 11

take a train and came to Rome! One day in Venice is enough ..

Answer 12

just spend time together and enjoy your time together. do  something simple like shopping , going to a restaurant or church. it's much easier to take in the culture when you go where the locals are and avoid the turistic traps ( gondoal's etc. ) family is more important than any vacation or location.