Venice in August

Fritz, I have been to Venice twice, both times in August. Once a very long time ago( like 25 years) and once 4 years ago. I do not recall bugs . The weather was hot, but since there is water everywhere I didn't find it unbearable. As for crowds two things.. first its just as crowded in June or September, so if you really want to avoid crowds go in november or march,, of course then its likely pouring rain and you will need rubber boots,, ( funsy) . Secondly, crowds are basically in central areas around St Marcos square, a ten minute walk away will get you away from crowds.
My daughter and I spent one afternoon visiting a Costume Museum and church,, both completely uncrowed ,, basically empty, then we a walked about five minutes and found a lovely square with a cafe in it and only a few people.

Thanks for your reply. Venice seems like such a mixed bag of good, great, not so bad, and bad.

Call me stupid but I don't get it. You've already been once and from the sound of it didn't like it and described it as decrepit. So, why go back - - - for a WEEK?

Fritz,, I should add this " a week' ,, that would be about 3-4 days too long for me.
My pete peeve with Venice is I find the restaurants expensive and the food so so at best,, now mind you I haven't ever eaten at the really high end places,, but the moderate places I think put out a lot of tourist food.

Pat, and others, There are ways, easy ways, to get pretty good food at a pretty reasonable price, avoiding the tourist food. Yes, there's certainly plenty of that about but there are places where its much better, and they are scattered about in all the Sestieri and in the land of the foresti as well. We find that the key is to have the right restaurant guide. We use a book which is updated frequently which has never (can I think of any... well there was one place which had closed in Guidecca but you can't blame her for that) sent us to a place we regretted.

I love Venice. Have been there in May and November. Not August. You might want to try staying on the Lido or Guidecca. Might be a bit cooler. Try to sightsee as early in the morning as possible. Maybe afternoons on the beach might be nice. You will probably have lots of company with locals though. As far as restaurants, I'd stay as far away from San Marco as possible. Please report back to us and let us know how it worked out. Enjoy. Venice is one of my "happy places."

I love Venice, too, have been there several times in the last 40 years (I was a child on the first trip), and I find the best way to enjoy it is to restrict my pace in the worst part of the afternoon. It's also a good time to take an afternoon daytrip to Padova to see the Scrovegni Chapel (you need an advance reservation), or go to Torcello or Burano (take a hat). My favorite time is April or October, but lately Venice is packed almost all the time. Evenings/nights and very early mornings are good times to venture out into the city, before the daytrippers come in or after they go.

As demonstrated on this thread, Venice inspires some extreme reactions. Either it's the most wonderful place in the world, or it's "Venice The Menace" - overrated, overpriced, crowded, etc. Nothing anyone posts is going to change the opinion of someone who's been there. So, like Nigel, I'd ask: what is your purpose for going back when you didn't like it the first time? I'm serious. If you can say why you are returning despite a bad prior experience, then people may be able to advise. As said, if it's crowds you're worried about, these can be avoided. If it's bad food, you need to do EXTENSIVE research (you can't just wander around and discover good places). But reasonable food can be found. If it's heat and bugs - those are not going to be avoidable, so you need to go somewhere else. If you found it "decrepit," you still will. I just went back to Amsterdam. My first trip, 22 years ago, was miserable. I found the city ugly and the people rude and cold. Why did I go back? I've changed, the city had changed, but most importantly, my attitude was totally different. I no longer expected Amsterdam or the Dutch to be things they're not. And, since a pessimist is never disappointed, I expected to find certain "problems." Well, it worked. I had a great time, I found the city attractive, and only a few people were less than polite and kind. So, a return visit really can change your opinion - but only if you're open to it, and if you make it work. If you're really sure you'll have a bad time, you will- so go somewhere else.

Just to clarify my original question. I mentioned all the bad stuff you here about Venice, because sometimes the negative seems to outweigh the positives. It does seem to be a place that has very mixed reviews. Also, on going a week...Really about 5 days. Thought we would do a lot of day trips, even a ferry to Croatia. Finally, why go back? Simply because my friend wanted to go there. I appreciate all your replies. They are certainly helpful in deciding whether to go or not.

Fritz, I understand what you're saying. I'd suggest seeing any Venice sights - especially The Major Ones - VERY early in the morning before the hordes of tour buses arrive. Daytrips are a great idea; be sure you've researched your travel (bus/train and skeds) beforehand because what may seem like an easy and obvious route may in fact not even be possible...or only be available during unsuitable times of the day. Also, while most of Europe stays up late, be sure you eat dinner early in Venice! I'm just gonna say it - Venice will be misearbly hot and sticky and CROWDED in August, so see the city very early and after 5:00pm for fewer people and cooler weather. Does your hotel have A/C ;-)

We, wife, two teenage daughters and I, did Venice for four days and three nights in August 2008. Loved it. Yes, it was hot but there were no significant crowds. It was our 2nd week into a grand Italy tour, and we had learned to carry water with us and refill the bottles at every available chance. No bugs or "foul" odors. We did have a B&B without AC, that was the one thing we would have done differently. Yes, one must get away from the tourist zones to find cheap eats and supermarkets. We spent time at an Internet cafe and the owner walked us to his favorite restaurant for an unbelievable meal of seafood and squid ink pasta. We sat in an alley on plastic chairs beside a flower shrouded bridge over a canal. The chief served us and deboned the fish after running home to find his son to play violin during the meal. A resident several floors above us sung along out of her window. Our daughters say that was their favorite moment of the 3 week trip.

Nigel - what is the name of the guide book for restaurants in Venice that you mentioned? I am headed there.

Sorry, Charlie, I forgot that I was going to fill that in. I'm in the middle of a week of overnight shifts following a week of late shifts and my mind let me down. We love Michela Scibilia's Venice osterie, bars, wine bars, trattorias, restaurants - a handbook for discriminating diners My more recent version is from 2010, (release 5.2) ISBN 978-88-7200-329-9 She's never led me wrong. I just searched on Amazon.com and you can see some of her books; the recent versions are available in Venice in Italian and in English. The huge price for a new copy of an old edition on Amazon I think speaks to the quality. It should cost around €15. Have a look at http://www.vianellolibri.com/shop.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.pbv.v10.tpl&product_id=1675&category_id=129