Impromptu Trip to Italy (Venice)

Hi Eric,

This September we stayed at the Pensione Guerrato in Venice. They had lots of pictures of Rick Steves groups in their check in area. The family was very nice that ran it. It was located right by the open air fish market, and really close to the Rialto Bridge. Hope that helps. Have fun!

Audrey

Pensione Guerrato is probably the hotel you remember. Phone: 041-528-5927, website www.pensioneguerrato.it and e-mail: [email protected]. A few ideas for Italy on way to Venice - stop in Bolzano to see the iceman, stop in Verona for Roman sights, stop in Vicenza for Palladian sights or stop in Padua for Scrovegni Chapel and Basilica of St. Anthony. Train connects all of those stops, and they're probably on your way as most trains from Germany go via Innsbruk to Verona and then Venice.

Keep in mind that Venice is experiencing almost records flooding. You might want to rethink flying out of Venice, or at least staying there this trip.

I have heard the floods have cleared, but my brother and his wife stayed in Venice for about 4 or 5 days on their honeymoon and thought it was a bit long. On the train on the way out, they talked to someone who usually stayed in Padua (I think it was Padua) and took the train in to Venice itself. The lodging was cheaper and it gave him more flexibility to explore surrounding areas. (Plus, on the off-chance there are flooding problems again, it gives you alternatives.)

Ignore the warnings about the extreme flooding. It was a once-in-22-years fluke. Never pass up the opportunity to see Venice. We stayed in Venice for five nights this past May (our second time, and also at Pensione Guerrato) and it wasn't long enough for us. Different strokes for different folks.

I agree. Go to Venice. I missed it two years ago and am returning to experience it in two weeks. Going hell OR high water!

But if you don't stay in Venice, you'll miss Venice at night! A friend told me not to miss San Marco Square at night and she was right. We heard the dueling "orchestras", saw the moon rise over the basilica, and had a stupendous full-moon trip on the Grand Canal in a vaporetto, plus got to gaze at the moonlight-streaked canal from the Accademia bridge.

We visited Venice in 2002 for the first time and knew we had to return! Have been back 2x since--2005 and 2007. We always travel in the summer so our kids don't miss school but I would never pass up a visit to Venice! We also loved the charming villages around Lake Garda--north, south and east side. Sirmione was particularly charming even with all the tourists. (The opening scene of the new James Bond movie was filmed on Lake Garda.) We also visited Verona and Padova (don't miss the Scrovegni chapel here) and enjoyed both of them.

Venice at night is magical so if possible spend your nights there. Stayed at Pensione Guerrato in '05 for 4 nights and it was very nice. Stayed at one of Hotel Campiello's apartments in 2007 and it was really nice too. It is just a few min. from St. Mark's Square off the Riva. Have a wonderful time!

Eric, I did the RS Venice tour in 2004 and we stayed at the hotel Belle Arti -- very good location.
I recommend it.

Remember that you'll need to get tickets to the Scrovengi Chapel ahead of time--reserve them on their website (just google Scrovengi Chapel + Padova). A reserved ticket is the only way to get your 15 minutes of Giotto. We liked the Basilica of St. Anthony, too. Lots of relics and stuff like that. We had our best meal there at a hotel restaurant pretty much across the street from the Basilica as you are walking back to the city. I forget the name of it but it might have had Saint in the title. It was just before a bunch of shops selling religious parephrenalia. We had a great meal there--salad, pasta, dessert, an dit was so much cheaper than the food in Venice.

It surprises me when I read remarks from folks who say they stayed in Venice for 3 or whatever nights and it was too long! We stayed for a week last year and feel as though we've only just begun to explore the city. The city itself is the museum and walking the narrow streets and finding something beautiful to see around every corner is the joy of it.

Hi, we were on a RS tour this summer and stayed at Hotel Al Piave. We like it was out of busy area, but only a few minutes walk to San Marco Square( through quite the maze though, LOL )

RS tours stay at many different hotels in many cities, for instance in Paris our tour did not stay in the 7th arr. at all. ( which is the Rue Cler area RS really pushes) .