FIRST EVER RSE tour, a few questions...

Hello dhoppe55, my thoughts -

1) At minimum I would take a back-up credit card - preferably with tap and without international transaction fees. Maybe someone else can comment on how common NFC payments like Apple/Google are but I would definitely want a simple credit card back-up.
You can get euros from ATMs (called Bancomats in Italy) with your debit card. You should use the Bancomats physically attached to banks to avoid fees but the freestanding ones in the airport and tourist spots will also work - at a price. Euros purchased in the states will come at a stiff mark-up. I used to insist on having some euros when I landed but I have gotten over it. Use cash for small purchases and in mom and pop places and charge larger purchases.

2) The Alilaguna is the water bus that leaves from the airport. The Orange line (LINEA ARANCIO) seems to go pretty close to your hotel at stop San Stae. It looks like it will take about 50 minutes from the hotel to that stop and should be 15e one way.
https://www.alilaguna.it/en/lines/linea-arancio
The water taxi is an exclusive launch for your use - I'd expect to pay 120-150e from the airport into the city but you arrive in style.
Both of these are clearly marked in the airport. Most people take the bus from the airport to Venice itself and then walk or take the local water bus Vaporetto to get to their hotel.

3) Google maps shows several restaurants very near the hotel. I'm sure the hotel can offer recommendations.

4) I know how to ask for stamps in Italian - Vende francobolli? - but I haven't sent physical mail from Europe in a long time.

5) Don't let anyone "convert the price to dollars" for you - it will be at your expense.
Watch movies and read stories set in the places you will be going.
You will taste and see things in Italy you won't see or taste anywhere else.
Always take the chances gelato and spritz on the piazza.
Remember to take time to slow down and breathe. The slower rhythm of life is part of the Italian experience.
Be “eternally optimistic” and approach everything with a positive attitude. Don't sweat the small stuff.

It's Italy and the forces or chaos are strong there. Just roll with it - that's why you're there.

Have a great trip!
=Tod

The Aliguna is 15€ per person, one way from the airport to the designated dock nearest your hotel. There are not many, so you may have a bitnof a walk from there, especially if your hotel is not close to the main waterways.

A water taxi fare depends on whether you use a shared one booked in advance (where you may have to wait up to 45 minutes for the other passengers, and the boat may make numerous hotel stops), or a private water taxi. Here is a link for one shared service, costing 32€per person:

https://www.venicelink.com/en/products/shuttle

The private taxi was 110-120€ last time I checked, but that was last year and they may have gone up. But that price is for up to 6 people on most boats.

You may change your mind about sending postcards when you see the price of a stamp to the US: €2,40. And the card may take 2-3 weeks to arrive back home. You may prefer to do as my adult kids do: buy the postcards there, but bring them home and mail them from the airport upon arrival in the US. Your friends and family members will get them sooner and you save money.

https://joydellavita.com/costs-to-send-a-postcard-from-italy-abroad/

If you do want to buy stamps in Italy despite the expense, one place you can do it is at a tabaccheria (tobacconist’s) - look for a big ‘T’ sign.

Words of wisdom:
1) take an extra credit card as a backup, preferably from a different bank. If there’s problem with your daily use card, you won’t be without money. Let you bank(s) know you will be out of the US and for how long.
2) for Euros, either get some from a bank ATM at the airport OR get a small amount from your bank so you land with €. You don’t need much cash; credit cards are accepted everywhere.
3) water taxis are very expensive +€100. Either take a bus from the airport to Piazzale Roma, then a vaporetto to the closet stop to your hotel. The CheBateo? app will give you routes. Alilaguna is a slow water bus but gives you a look at the lagoon.
How many days are you are arriving before your tour? You may want to buy a vaporetto pass. Not all stops have a ticket machine and you can’t pay by cash.
4) a quick glance at Google Maps shows restaurant with a couple blocks from your hotel. But I don’t have any recommendations.
5) expect to get loss in Venice. Don’t panic, enjoy the adventure. It took me two trips to learn that. Remember Venice is a lot of little islands so find a popular landmark to help you get your bearings.
6) I haven’t mailed postcards in years so have no idea who sells stamps.

Enjoy your trip! Buon Viaggio!

I will be arriving in Venice for first time end of this month and plan on using Aliliguna. I emailed my hotel and verified it was a good choice and they provided stop to take and gave turn by turn directions. In theory, it will take me 15 minutes—I suspect another 15 fo gawking and confusion!

Ask your hotel.

“I suspect another 15 of gawking and confusion!”

To prevent confusion, download the city mapper app and have data on your phone. Put in your hotel and mark that as “home” so you can just click “take me home”, lol. I change “home” for each location. Some of the smaller cities aren’t covered but Venice, Florence and Rome are.

Nothing can prevent gawking in Venice. But step to the side if you need to gawk. It gets you out of walkways and may prevent your pocket from being picked if you are distracted.

Get a paper map for Venice, available at Tabacs and news stands.
Download the Chebateo app for planning vaporetto journeys.

Congratulations on your first RS tour! I'm sure you're going to have a wonderful and memorable trip. A few comments on your questions......

1. I assume you're also going to be packing along the credit card that's linked to your Google Pay account? As others have suggested, it's a good idea to take at least two credit cards and at least one debit/ATM card. You might want to review your daily transaction limits with your bank. I doubt that you'll need any U.S. cash whilst in Europe, but I normally like to have €50-€100 when I land in Europe, to pay for things like taxi fares and snacks. You can get cash from an ATM near your hotel. If you want some to travel with, contact your bank in advance of the trip. Still on the topic of money, you'll need to be careful to avoid the dreaded DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion). If an ATM or POS terminal asks if you want the transaction charged in your home currency or the local currency, always choose local currrency. If you take the other option, you'll be paying exorbitant service fees for the transaction.
2. I never bother with private water taxis or Alilaguna, so can't offer any tips on that. As someone else mentioned, take the bus to Piazzalle Roma and then the Vaporetto to your hotel. The RS tour instructions should include full details on the best method to get to your first hotel.
3. I'd suggest asking the front desk staff at your hotel for a restaurant recommendation. There are likely many good choices in the vicinity.
4. Previously answered. Perhaps the front desk at your hotel will have some for sale?
5. When using the Vaporetti, Regionale trains or Buses, it's important to validate (time & date stamp) your tickets, prior to boarding the conveyance. Failure to do so can result in hefty fines! The guide will give you information on that sort of thing at the beginning of the tour.

Buon Viaggio!

Such excellent 'pearls'!
I've downloaded both City Mapper app, (thank you Pam) and Chebateo app (thank you Aussie). And will list my hotels as "home". I can see myself also using these apps on my next interim nursing gig.
I'm getting a vaporetto pass (thank you, Horsewoofie).
And will always choose local currency not DCC at ATMS or POS (thank you Ken).
And will enjoy my gelato and spritz on the piazza only (thank you Tod)!
I plan on: getting lost, rolling with the chaos, not sweating the small stuff, bringing an open mind and heart and an attitude of gratitude.

"I plan on: getting lost, rolling with the chaos, not sweating the small stuff, bringing an open mind and heart and an attitude of gratitude."

THIS is perfect! And take notes so you can easily do your Trip Report when you get back home. We'll all want to know what went right and what you enjoyed!