We're hoping to go to Venice for 8-10 days in July, with some side trips as well. We're thinking of getting an apartment for part of that time in Venice. First-which neighborhood would be good for an apartment? Should we avoid a first floor one because of the smell of the canal (and how bad is that in July)? What side trips would you recommend? (We like off-the-beaten track sorts of places). Is it better to stay in Italy for day trips, or should we go for a few days to Llubljana? What other tips would you have for our trip? Thanks!
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Well 8-10 days is definitely too many to spend in just Venice. What floor you stay on really doesn't matter unless you're unlucky and happen to be on the ground floor during the alta aqua. What you definitely 100% must get is air-conditioning. It will be hot/humid and you won't be able to open your windows unless you want to be eaten alive by mosquitoes. Apartment sounds good. Venice island is very small and there's really no bad choice of an area. There might be a more "convenient" choice, but with the vaporettos you can always get to where you're going fairly easily.
Posted by
Green Bay
21346 posts
One option is to take a ferry across the Adriatic to Rovinj or Pula or Porec, Croatia. Its kind of pricey (120 Euro RT), and the ferry runs over at 5 pm and returns next morning, so you'd need to stay at least 2 nights. About a 3 hour crossing. Maybe at the end of your trip after checking out of your appartment. Another is a day trip to Padua to see the Scrovegni Chapel (reservation required) and the University. 30-45 min train from Venice. Ljubljana is a 5 1/2 to 7 hour bus+train from Venice. Again that is a 2 nighter minimum.
Posted by
San Jose, CA
1994 posts
Vicky, that much time in Venice is a great decision; I would recommend you not be discouraged from staying that long. I spent a week on my first trip, and even longer the next time. In Sept, I've never detected any smell; I wouldn't spend a lot of time worrying about that. Mosquitos might be more of an issue in July than smell, since window screens and air conditoning are not common; I'd suggest being prepared for that instead. Smaller islands in the lagoon offer some very enjoyable experiences and variety: Torcello has only a handful of residents but the oldest church on the lagoon, with great mosaic work; San Lazarre is occupied by an Armenian Catholic monastery with an amazing library of rare books, as well as some really nice views (one vaporetto a day is met by a monk who will show you around); there's a Franciscan friary occupying one island that's accessible only by private boat; some of my favorite experiences were wandering around tiny, almost deserted islands. Padua is hardly off the beaten track, but it is a very enjoyable day trip with the Giotto frescos, Basilica of St Anthony, its very early univerity, good marketplace, etc. And if you search this site, you'll find a variety of other suggestions for day trips from Venice.