venice with kids

We went with 16, 12 and 8 year old. I called Hotel d'Art the morning before we arrived (I think it's one of Rick's recommendations) and told them what we needed. They had a two bedroom apartment with bath, kitchen and living room a short walk (everything in Italy is "50 meters") from the hotel. Although it was sparsely decorated, it fit our needs well and the price was very reasonable. When I go back I will call them first.

For boat tours the main Vaporetto down the Grand Canal was perfect. We also took the gondola-like ferries accross the canals as needed. Other than those we spent most of our time exploring by foot.

Be sure to see St. Mark's Cathedral when it is lit (you can ask for times), it's an amazing site. The kids enjoyed feeding the pigeons (I heard the bird seed sellers are being outlawed).

The main vaporetto down the canal and around many more areas is No. 1. It stops at every stop. You might also check out the No. 82 which does much the same only fewer stops. If you are there for multiple days, look into a pass for unlimited rides on the vaporettos. Here's what they look like

13,00 € - 12-HOUR TRAVELCARD
15,00 € - 24-HOUR TRAVELCARD
20,00 € - 36-HOUR TRAVELCARD
25,00 € - 48-HOUR TRAVELCARD
30,00 € - 72-HOUR TRAVELCARD

There is also a 3-day youth card for 18€. Youths are listed as ages 14-29.

These tourist passes are not good on Alilaguna boats.

Your children will have a blast figuring out the Vaporetto schedules. Their really easy once you understand the really simple system.

We stayed at the Hotel Flora with our 2 children. I know that it had 2 beds to begin with but can't remember if the 2nd bed was a double. They brought in a 3rd bed so my kids didn't have to sleep together. You might want to see if they have something where you can stay together.

The best tour is the "get on the vaporetto and get off at some random stop tour". Use Rick's "get lost in Venice" advice - it is an island so you can't go too far wrong! My younger son is sorry to this day that we didn't do the Doges Palace Secret Passages tour - probably just because of the name. We loved Venice and my daughter returned with friends post high school graduation and they loved it too.

We traveled there with our two kids in April 2006 - ages 7 and 9. I agree the best way to see the canal is to get on the main vaperetto. Have a good guide book and you'll know you are looking at. We also went over to St. Giorgio Island (very short boat ride) and climbed to the top of the bell tower at St. Giorgio church - there was no line - not sure where I got that tip - but it was a great view and very inexpensive.

We did take a Gondola ride - but that can be pricey ($100/group for 40 minutes) - and we also took the boat out to Murano island and watched the glassblowers. They also have a lot of demonstrations at St. Marks square - either way, it's fascinating to watch.

Feeding the pigeons was an absolute highlight - but I also heard that is being outlawed.

Just wandering the streets and getting lost is a great experience as well.

We also stayed at the Hotel Flora. It does not have a water view but is down a quiet alley street and has a beautiful garden courtyard with fountain.It is not too far from St. Mark's square. Be sure to ask for good directions. It is very easy to get to from Harry's Bar vaparetto stop. We had breakfast there every morning. It is in a great location. They recommended and made dinner reservations for us. My husband told them what we were looking for and in what price range. They have Wifi if you take your laptop. It had been someone's private home, and they turned it into a Hotel. I wish I could have another cup of their cappacino.
They ordered a water taxi for our early morning departure to the airport and the bellboy guided us to it. Be sure to go to St. Mark's square at night and listen to the dueling orchestras play.