Venice for someone that doesn't want to go - plan check- pls help

I can’t seem to find the hotel you’ve listed
Can you share the address?

I mean it’s only 3 nights
2 full days
Your plan looks nice

Who says the Venetians don’t want you there?

Everywhere will be hot and crowded
Venice is so unique nowhere else in the world like it
We love it

August is vacation time for Italy so I would assume Lido will be busy

When is the trip? Next month? July? August?

If hubby doesn’t want to go and see one of the world’s most unique cities that’s his choice..

Your daughter shouldn’t have to sacrifice her desire to experience Venice.

I personally love Venice and I think it is an amazing and unique place on the plant that everyone should see at least once.

It's not a secret that Venice survives on tourism but if you are staying multiple days you are not the dreaded day trippers that Venice wants to discourage. But are people interested in more than a selfie on Rialto and San Marco then leaving town and will stay after dark and support local restaurants and gelaterias.

Many people do Murano and then Burano so I would suggest staying in the vaporetto and doing Burano first and then backtracking to Murano. If you get off at Mazzorbo (the stop before the main Burano stop) and then take the first door in the wall your can walk through the vineyard and organic farm before crossing the bridge to Burano. It's not much but it is a pleasant distraction that gets you away from the main crush of people all getting off the vaporetto at once.

I can't guarantee your husband will like Venice - it can be a logistically challenging city - but I think it is well worth seeing. For what it's worth every time I say I'm going to Venice someone will tell me not to go, but every time I go I love it more.

Have a great trip,
=Tod

It’s highly touristed for a reason.

It’s lovely and an experience unlike any other. It’ll be crowded but it’s great! Like it or not, even when you were in a less touristy locale, you were still tourists.

See some of the main attractions and then wander off the highly trafficked locations to see a part of Venice many tourists don’t see.

Christine, I think that was a typo, and OP probably meant the Sant' Antonin in Castello.

Sounds like your DH needs to manage his expectations. Its up to him whether he will hate it or enjoy exploring new places with his family. You are going to Europe during the highest part of high season. Everywhere on your list is going to be packed with tourists. And you 4 are a part of that big tourist crowd. Or he could just stay home by himself.

You ask Murano or Burano. I would say Burano. Don’t bother with doing the beach on the Lido. August in Venice or anywhere high on touristic lists, don’t do it!

Not in traffic, are traffic. It'll be crowded everywhere, and you are the crowd! You just need to do the things that smart tourists do to not be part of the hoard crowds. In Venice that means walking away from the major tourist areas.

They're all great places, tell your husband to take it easy and have a great time!

Venice can't survive without tourism. But the tourists the Venetians don't want are the daytrippers--those that stay outside the city or on cruise ships. They take over the place during the day, spend little money, and cause a lot of the crowding.

There are two Venices....the time before and after the daytrippers, and the middle of the day when they are there.

I've been to Venice three times. I hate crowds. I learned to get up early, take a nap in the middle of the day or for certain stay away from St. Marks or the Rialto area during those times, and then go out again in the evening.

And that's when you really see Venice.

Florence is also going to be busy.

BTW, August is probably the busiest time in Europe. Not only are foreigners traveling but its the traditional vacation time for Europeans.

We meant to go to Burano but got off at the wrong ferry stop and went to Torcello instead. Absolutely loved it! Quiet, no crowds, delicious lunch and a very nice cathedral. It was the highlight of our Venice trip.

We did continue onto Burano which was crowded, dirty and it felt very voyeuristic walking around the smaller streets. We also had to queue for more than an hour to get a ferry back to Venice.

Travelled in October so not peak season.

It's been my experience that most of the places I've expected to not like I turned out to love. Similarly some of the ones highly touted as must-sees haven't impressed me at all. My criteria is a yes answer to the question, "Would I like to go back?"

On your itinerary, Venice is a yes. Been there 3 times, the last time for 5 nights, love it and still have things I'd like to see or experience. It's unique and the best thing to do is walk enough to get lost. ;-)

Florence is a yes. Been there 3 times, the first time for 3 weeks and the last for 1 week.

Cinque Terre, no. Small towns, verrrrry crowded, don't get the hype. We were on a walk-on ferry that called at each town along the way. There were literally thousands of people visibly waiting enmasse on the main streets to get on the ferry.

Wondering about your listing of Monaco. It's not in Italy and verrrrry expensive. Are you planning to fly back from there? Are you planning to take the train from CT to there? Depending on the route, it could be long but scenic or not.

Since this trip is primarily a celebration for your daughter's graduation I think your husband should defer to her wishes, go with an open mind and expect that there will be crowds everywhere. You will only escape them by exploring the areas away from the most touristy areas, which no doubt will be around most of the things you want to see and do.

I see that your places are all booked. That's great.

So I think you'll have a really good time. Venice can be crowded, Venice can be hot, Florence can be a scorcher (at the bottom of a bowl surrounded by mountains the heat gets in and can't get out). But that when you need to go, so I am sure you will find ways to really have a good time. One thing about Venice is that the calles (narrow lanes) are so narrow that except when the sun is directly overhead you can usually find shade, and most campos (small squares) have trees with benches underneath so again shade there.

There are wonderful ways to get away from the crowds in Venice - so many herds just follow the beaten path that if you go over a calle or two you lose them.

Monaco is dissed as too expensive. Not my experience. Can be if you want it to be - I never do, and as a frequent visitor I don't spend more than I want to (I'm cheap) and the surrounding bits of France from Menton via Monaco to Nice and beyond are exquisite. That said, I always go in the off season so be prepared for crowds on Promenade des Anglais and the tourist hotspots.

I'm curious how Monaco got on the list, and if you share what you want to see and do there Gooster or I or other regulars may have thoughts.

Thank you everyone. This is a huge help. I do want to say, Hubby is never difficult especially when I book our travel. Other than Covid we've been to Europe every summer since 2013 and this is the first time he's ever said he really doesn't want to see a place. I just want him to enjoy it but I won't make him go.

Yes, the hotel was a typo. Its the Sant' Antonin in Castello. I think I'll rearrange a few things so I'm avoiding Piazza San Marco and Rialto area except when we actually plan tovisit the sites there. It should be more enjoyable with fewer crowds. Appreciate the advice re Lido. We'll definitely avoid. I'll try to get everyone up early but dealing with jetlag the first few days it could be hard to get them up before 8am.

I had debated CT but I've always wanted to see it so the plan is to get an early start to beat the daytrippers, then do a boat tour one afternoon and the beach in Monterosso another afternoon. We'll be staying in Monterosso.

Monaco. Our original plan for the summer was Venice and then Slovenia. My daughter also wanted to visit a country we've never been. When hubby said he may not be able to go because of work, I changed it to a place that was easy to move around using trains and a place that I can make due with the language somewhat in case we ended up travelling without him this year. When looking at flights home, Nice was significantly less expensive that other italian locations so we figured we'd train from CT to Monaco and fly home from Nice. We'll really only have one full day plus an evening so I'd love top pics. If hubby can come, my son and him will do a F1 tour that walks the route. Otherwise we'll do the palace , casino for pics, etc. I'd love suggestions for our one day if you have any.

On the day you go to Murano and Burano buy a day pass for the vaporetto, and get up early enough that you can catch the one to Burano at about 8am. It will take about 45 minutes to get there, but the shops won’t be open so you will mostly have the place to yourself. It’s very picturesque and is small enough that you can walk every street in about 45 minutes. Then get back on the vaporetto and go one stop to Torcello to see the ancient church, then go onwards to Murano. It shouldn’t be too busy by the time you get there, and you can wander in and out of all the glass shops before too many of the day trippers arrive. If you want a nice, peaceful walk before returning to the crowds in Venice then get off at the cemetery island. Another place most of the tourists don’t go is the Arsenal area. It’s a nice walk along the water from St. Mark’s, and there is a nice park there.

You probably need a multi-day vaporetto pas.
We stay in the Cannaregio area, on the small back canals. It's very peaceful , and one can take sunset pix without a person in the frame. Absolutely no crowds. Yet, just a ten minute walk to a vaporetto stop on the Grand Canal.
Perhaps Row Venice instead of a gondola? It's a small group rowing lesson, about 90 minutes , 110 euros total, on the back canals. It's harder than it looks, and everyone gets a turn as someone gets tired, and the kids can see who masters it first .
Have a great trip in one of my favorite places, that I'm returning to for the fourth time.
Safe travels!

We do plan to have a multiday vaporetto pass as soon as we arrive. Our hotel isn't far from the Arsenale area and we plan to have dinner there one night. I'll make a point to spend more time in the area.

Murano and Burano. We've found that getting an early start (NLT 8 a.m.) will result in beating the crowds to Murano. As the crowds start to arrive, we'll lunch in Murano and then head to Burano. Again, we are ususally ahead of the crowds. Around mid-afternoon we head back to Venice proper. Not sure that will work for you, but it always has for us.

We tend to stay in Castello, even further out than the Sant'Antonin, and we usually stay for at least a week. I hope you review the hotel, as I have walked past and wondered about it before.

If you find Venice is just too busy--and the downside of Castello is you often have to walk through San Marco to get someplace--consider taking a relaxing walk out to the far end of the Giardini. Although the art Biennale* will be going on, if you walk all the way out along the perimeter, you'll discover another Venice, relaxing and uncrowded.

*By the way, Art Biennale highly highly recommended if you are interested in contemporary art, although it doesn't sound like you have the time...

Thanks all. So I've redone my plan for our island day. We'll hop on the vaporetto around 8amish and head directly to Burano. I think we'll enjoy it a lot. We'll explore til the shops open and then shop a bit before crowds arrive. We'll head to Mazzorbo to explore and then have an early lunch (noon ish) before heading to Torcello. And then Murano. It'll likely be busy but we'll see the sights and get out of dodge back to the hotel and Arsenale area. If we're back early enough, we may explore the San Polo area a bit.

There seem to be quite a few glass artisans in Burano. I'm thinking it'll be much less crowded to shop for Murano glass there. Is it less 'authentic' than purchasing in Murano? I guess I'm asking, is it the same technique and similar prices as Murano or should I stick it out with the shops once we reach Murano?

There are a few glass shops on Burano, but no where near the variety you will find on Murano where the shops are almost exclusively glass. Burano is predominantly known for lace, and that is what they do best. I’m sure the glass shops are good, but probably similar product to Murano.Murano also has a glass museum that has some stunning pieces. They are two very different islands and experiences.

On Murano, I go to the smaller, owner-operated shops, where you can often see them working. One woman didn't speak English well, and I have no Italian, but we bonded when we saw we both had coke-light. We figured out communicating and I purchased a few of her beautiful, original glass pendants.
Safe travels!

Get the app Chebateo for vaporetto trip planning

I just want to say that we love Cinque Terre. We've been four times and plan to go again in 2025. Yes, it is crowded with day trippers and August probably more so. We always go in May or October. We avoid the crowds by hiking the blue trails early or by taking less traveled trails, like the sanctuary hikes. We like to hike early and then take a swim in the afternoon. If you don't like to hike the villages can easily be explored by taking trains. We avoid trains between 3 and 4 PM because sometimes the day trippers are all trying to leave at once. We used to stay in Vernazza, but it is overrun now so last time we stayed in Monterosso. Monterosso can handle the crowds better and it has wonderful restaurants. The villages are prettiest from the sea so you will love your boat tour. We took a small group boat tour in the evening that was the highlight of our trip. Our guide told us the history of the area as we traveled along the coast and viewed each village from the sea. We stopped at an inlet on the coast, and we all took a lovely dip in the sea. Then we had aperitivo on the way back to Monterosso and watched a beautiful sunset over the Ligurian sea. It is a unique and beautiful place, and the pesto is better than my Italian grandmother used to make.

Our family went to Europe in late May/June in 2022. It was a trip to celebrate our daughter’s college graduation. Similar situation, she wanted to go to Venice, hubby did not. We went, everyone loved it, and hubby and I are going back for almost a week this September.
I agree with what everyone else has said, it will be hot and packed, but after a certain time, the crowds will thin, the temperature will go down and the city becomes a different place. Our approach is to kick back, enjoy and go with the flow…Venice is unique and beautiful, and I hope your husband enjoys it as much as we did.

I can understand your husband’s concern about tourists not being welcome in Venice, but that sentiment is actually directed mainly again the cruise ship crowds. And the inconsiderate people who block bridges while taking selfies, or otherwise act disrespectful and rude. You and your family will not be that kind of tourist. As noted above, people who come to appreciate the true beauty and magic of the place, and spend money on hotels and restaurants, are welcome—-Venice now depends upon visitors like that.

As for crowds and heat, the crowds will be just as bad in Florence, and the heat even worse. And the crowds in Cinque Terre are the worst I know—-that is a place I will not return to, as we found the crowd unbearable 10 years ago.

I do generally advise agains Venice in summer, but if you want to honor your daughter’s choice you can make it work. We were there briefly last September (5th time for us) with my son’s family (wife and twin boys) on our way home from a wonderful time in the Dolomites. They wanted to see Venice so choice to book their flights out of there and planned two nights. This was against my advice—-but they went anyway and had a wonderful time. I was glad they disregarded my counsel when I saw them enjoying it so much. (We still chose to fly out of Milan rather than Venice).

I can see from your planned itinerary that you have clearly done your homework. The one suggestion I have, assuming you have not actually booked your San Marco visit yet, is to book the first morning time slot available (it was 9:30 for us). We, were among the first few inside the basilica, and the first to ascend the stairs to the museum and the loggia. We had those magnificent bronze horses all to ourselves, and then went out on the balcony to enjoy that in relative solitude as well. By the time we exited, Piazza SanMarco was becoming much more crowded, and we ducked out to a side street at the first opportunity. This was on the north side, behind the basilica, as we knew from experience that the sidewalk along the water just south of San Marco, named Riva degli Schiavoni, is even more crowded with tour groups than the piazza itself, compounded by all the souvenir kiosks. But if you want the famous view of the Bridge of Sighs from outside, you will will have to go out on the south side.

To the OP: I understand your husband's feelings about Venice; I had them myself before going. Now that I've been there, I still don't really care for the place (though the airport is incredible). But I'm very, very glad I've seen Venice; it's unique, and crowded or not (and notwithstanding everyone there is speaking something other than Italian), Piazza San Marco is a place unlike any other.

Can husband just meet you in Florence when you get there, skipping Venice. ( i.e., fly over a few days later)?

I’ve had mostly very normal and positive interactions w Venetian residents. It’s a bit of a bifurcation; if you rely on tourists for your livelihood, you tend to want a steady stream of visitors. But honestly there are plenty of workaday Venetians who really do not like what is happening. Their streets are crowded, the makeup of the city has changed, costs are higher, and it’s just more inconvenient to be a resident now than it was a couple decades ago. Most of the time, you’ll get tutted at, but it’s not entirely rare to have someone tell you to “go home”. It’s understandable and silly at the same time.

And no… it’s not just “day trippers & cruise passengers” who invite ire. We are not in the “cool” group because we stay on the island

I admit to not having read each response. I hope this is not super redundant. If Venice becomes too unbearable to your husband, perhaps he could take the easy train ride to Padua? Or to other destinations within easy train reach: Vicenza, Castelfranco, Treviso? Since they are not too far, perhaps he could do some day trips and return to join you for the evenings? Goodness, he could even stay in Padua and when you take the train to Florence, he could join you on the train! Or perhaps he could stick it out in Venice for days 1 and 3 and just do one day trip on day 2 as a mini-break from Venice? You could give him the job of figuring out the train station and particulars in advance of the trip to Florence. I have done a day trip between Padua and Venice. It is easily doable.

Ditto Debbie from Narberth (Philly gal here too - go birds!) - I have not read all replies but my experience is this: My husband and I were in Venice for three nights in September of 2014. I would give anything to go back. We stayed in the Cannaregio area which was fine, but if I could go again, I would love to check out another neighborhood. We did San Marco of course, and other sites, but I regret not having done the surrounding islands. Having said that, the best experience was just wandering the "streets" and getting lost.

We had a lovely meal at Vini da Gigio our first night there. This restaurant is also recommended by Katie Parla, whose instagram site is a good follow - @katieparla. She often visits Venice and one of the surrounding islands, Murano I believe (Katie is an Italian American from North Jersey who is a contributor to the NY Times, has a number of cookbooks, and has a thriving food tour business where she lives in Rome).

If you tire of baroque art, definitely check out the Peggy Guggenheim estate, which is a mid century modern home with amazing art. Ms. Guggenheim hosted many a star studded soiree in her day, which is not nearly so interesting as the property and the art. It is on the Grand Canal in the Dorsoduro area.

Have the best time!

I was in Venice in August of 2022 and never got the impression that I was not welcome as a tourist. The city was mobbed, though, and has already been mentioned, it's essential to get off the main, sign-posted streets while day-trippers are about, to get lost, and to get out early in the morning and late in the evening. It is truly magical during these times.

I did not go to the very busy Murano on this trip and opted instead to visit Burano and Torcello only. If you are interested in a guide for these islands, I highly recommend, Silvia Zanella. She took me on a tour of "hidden" Burano and then to Torcello to see the Church of Santa Maria Assunta. It was an incredible day! As a resident of Burano who can’t imagine living anywhere else (except maybe Torcello!), her love of the islands comes through with every story she tells.

https://www.discoverburano.com/
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