I've been to Venice many many times, even during the summer, and it can be busy. It can be very theme-parkish, especially since very few Italians actually live in Venice proper. Most of them have moved out to Mestre. That means that it's more difficult to get a good cultural experience. But it is possible to do. Spring, summer, fall or winter, if you want to avoid touristy Venice, just stay away from Piazza San Marco and enjoy the rest of the city. Make sure you stop by the market and get some fresh fruit. Go watch gondole being repaired up on the north end of the Zattere. Or just find a place to sit and enjoy people watching! Regarding gondola rides, you can get the same ride, in the same boats, going to Giudecca, for a few euros (versus 70+ for a touristy gondola ride)
Love the post and pictures. Venise is great anytime, but is truly magical in the 'off' months. All of the narrow streets and secret squares make it wonderful. I hope you got to stay on the main island while you were there... when everyone leaves to go back to their hotels on the mainland... the people left behind get to experience Venice as it is meant to be.
I went to Venice in September and loved it. It is one of the few cities that demand a return visit from me.
Theresa
· 1 year ago
I've been to Venice twice--both fortunately in the low season, though that does mean it can be a little chilly and gray--but I still feel like I've only barely touched the surface of the city. I definitely want to go back and get lost in more of the back streets.
I liked Venice but it wasn't my favorite. I thought it was a great place for a family or couple but for a young, single traveler on a budget it was not the best place to be....
I've just finished a story on the same topic actually. We were there last month - not by choice, work of course. I hate it in August, and try to avoid visiting there in the summer if I can at all help it for the very reason you've given, that it is a theme park. As Austin says above, there are lots of ways to get off the beaten track and go local, and surprisingly you don't have to go far to do it. We once rented an apartment there and it was wonderful - we were shopping at the market every day, buying wonderful fresh seafood to cook, doing as the locals do and taking our empty water bottles to fill with vino at our local wine shop - it was fab! Highly recommend it!
We went last March ... I recommend taking the boat, rather than the bus from the airport. And, most of the gondoliers we saw were wearing baseball caps, which they exchanged for 'those hats' when they had a client.
Top tip: If you want a ride in a gondola without the expense, there's traghetti (sp??) which offer short ferry trips across the Grand Canal for only about 50c.
All Comments
Chau
Anthonys last blog post..Only during the World Cup
Spring, summer, fall or winter, if you want to avoid touristy Venice, just stay away from Piazza San Marco and enjoy the rest of the city. Make sure you stop by the market and get some fresh fruit. Go watch gondole being repaired up on the north end of the Zattere. Or just find a place to sit and enjoy people watching!
Regarding gondola rides, you can get the same ride, in the same boats, going to Giudecca, for a few euros (versus 70+ for a touristy gondola ride)
Austins last blog post..Offbeat Accommodations: Wigwam Motel
Ciao!
Loris last blog post..Santa Cruz - Home Sweet Home
Theresas last blog post..A Sign of How Strange Our Lives Have Become
Julies last blog post..A Little Vanity Googling Never Hurt Anyone…Except Me
Annas last blog post..Wave Hello, Say Goodbye
sforshners last blog post..JP makes my 100th post
Tanyas last blog post..We Need Snowboots and Sunscreen
but it is still beautiful
Nomadic Matts last blog post..The Saturday City: Places I Don’t Like
lara dunstons last blog post..Top 10 things to buy in Dubai, pt 2
Top tip: If you want a ride in a gondola without the expense, there's traghetti (sp??) which offer short ferry trips across the Grand Canal for only about 50c.
Keiths last blog post..Tartiflette