Hi all.
My wife and I would like to go to Venice in late September, and wondered if you've found it less expensive to fly into Milan and train into Venice? We plan to manage our way to Prague from Venice, then on to Berlin or Paris - flying back to LAX from Berlin/Paris.
Also. Anyone with reasonable hotels in Venice for 4 days? Or Mestre?
We stayed at the Ca' Gottardi in Venice - it is a B & B. Small, decent place to stay - we got a summer deal 300 euro for 3 nights - that seemed good to me. I would NOT stay on Mestre - Venice is so charming and romantic and you can find good deals if you look. I used Trip Advisor and then booked directly on the hotels websites (we went to Rome, Florence and Venice). We didn't stay in 5 star places, but we weren't spending much time in the room - we wanted to see Italy!! We went to the island of Lido while we were there as well - they have a public beach - it is also charming, but a little different feel from Venice (15 min. boat ride from Venice). In any event I would stay in Venice.
As for flying into Milan - can't help you there.
We have recently returned from our 6th visit to Italy since 2000, part of which always includes Venice because we love it so much. Please stay in Venice! You can't possibly have as an enjoyable experience if you don't. Early and late walks are magical, getting to know your "neighborhood", where the locals get their morning espresso and pastry and dine at night, exploring off the beaten path is enjoyable, with surprises galore! We usually rent an apartment, even for 3-4 days, and have great fun shopping for provisions, etc. Just google "Venice apartment accommodation" As for flying in, we usually go to Venice's airport Marco Polo, but have taken the train from Milan to Venice Santa Lucia station which is quite easy once you find your way to the Milan train station via bus from Malpensa airport. Have a great trip!
Stay in Venice itself to experience the charm and wonderful evenings after the day-trippers have left in the late afternoon. There are many B&Bs and small hotels in Venice. Look on venere.com, Rick's book, tripadvisor.com or search this forum for "Venice hotel" to find recommendations. Mestre is just a gateway town; you will miss much of the magic of Venice by staying in Mestre. There is no place in the world quite like Venice.
Just a note that you will probably get a couple of people saying that they stayed in Mestre and didn't feel that they were missing anything. But then there's no way they could know what they were missing, is there? Stay in Venice. It's magical in the evenings, plus you can go back to your lodging during the middle of the day for a little break or nap. Can't do that if you stay in Mestre.
we flew into Marco Polo on a connecting flight from Paris. As far as accommodations, have you considered renting an apartment? We were in Venice for four days and rented a lovely apartment through vrbo. It was located in Castello district close to via Garibaldi. We couldn't have been happier with the selection. Pretty reasonable, even though Venice is super expensive.
I would also suggest staying in Venice.Mestre might be less expensive but remember that during the day Venice is a zoo but at night it is magic.
Hi everyone.
Thank you so much for your recommendations. Venice it is! We found out that we're due to be parents in the next 8 months - so it will be wonderful.
Thanks again! Ciao.
Try this website: www.cross-pollinate.com for great bed and breakfasts in Venice, Rome and Florence. It is a bed and breakfast and apartment booking service owned and operated by an American family living in Rome. I have used their accommodations before and have always loved them!! You want to stay in Venice!!! Have fun and congratulations!!
I will have to second all the above suggestions--Stay in Venice! We just returned from a 3 week trip to Italy and spent 6 nights here renting an apartment. This was my 4th trip to Venice in 7 years and I love it here. Strolling in Venice after dark is beautiful. Could visit here again and again and always see something new! Enjoy!
I can no longer afford Venice since I prefer air cond. So I stay in Mestre at Novotel Hotel.www.accorhotels.com. Great for families (pool)great breakfast buffet and shuttles to Venice and the best air cond. I have found in Italy. A hotel with airc in Vneice can run over $300 per ni.Good luck.
While it's true that a hotel with AC in Venice "can run over $300 a night" it doesn't have to. (You could also say that a hotel with AC in Venice can run over $1000 a night.) You should be able to find a place for under 120 euros a night in late September. Pensione Guerrato is great.
I am In a rush ---check out Hotel Rossi near train station but quiet side street has web site
No need for AC in Venice if you travel shoulder season. Why go at the hottest time of the year anyway? More sweaty people to worry about and also higher prices makes it a no brainer!
In late September Venice shouldn't be particularly warm, but AC is a nice option just in case, especially since you may not want to leave your windows open at night because of mosquitoes.
