Hi Folks,
We are going to be staying 1 - 2 nights in Venice. Should we stay in San Marco where all the action is or stay in one of the other districts closeby? We have a baby and don't want to do too many vaporetto rides although we don't want to not ride in them too!
Hotel suggestions?
Cheap eat places for breakfast and lunch suggestions please?
Nice place to have a memorable but not a rip-off dinner?
Thank you
Sonia, We stayed in San Marco district at Hotel al Leon. Steps form San Marco, which was really nice when we wanted to see San Marco late at night, which I would highly suggest! Nice rooms, great area, great pubs to eat at, close to everything, really minutes from most everything. Next, take some time, and just get lost. Venice is a really wonderful place, and every district has its own personality. we loved all of them. try to find the Ponte de Miracoli, and the church there. It was one of the simplest but most beautiful that we found. Also look for a bead maker around the corner from the church named Lisette. ask anyone in the square, and they can direct you. She is a fantastic artisan, and my friend.Lord almighty I want to go back! Have a great time! Jeff
Sonia, I forgot to tell you, ask for RED at hotel al leon. He is great at what he does, which is make everything easy. Jeff
I liked staying in Dorsoduro at the Tivoli Hotel. Midway between Rialto and San Marco areas - just a sort (15 min.) to either but far enough away to be quiet. Lots of restaurant/bar choices nearby on Campo Margherita and Campo San Barnaba, which were both lively and had a nice student-vibe from nearby schools. As an earlier poster mentioned, pub crawls for fun to sample ciccheti, specific places for meals I enjoyed were Dona Onesta (right on the border between Dorsoduro and San Polo) and Pizzeria Al Profeta (Lunga San Barnaba) with great grilled meats, both pretty reasonably priced.
Locanda Orseola just off of San Marco is my favorite hotel...EVER. Barbara & Matteo will suggest their locals' restaurants that are just perfect. A bit expensive, but worth every penny.
I second the Dorsoduro. Last time, I stayed at La Calcina. It's a 5 minute walk to the Academia vaporetto stop, a 1 minute walk to the Zattare vaporetto (take it at least once, just for the view as you approach San Marco), or about 15-20 minute walk to San Marco.
Many hotels include breakfast in the room rate. If you end up at a hotel that doesn't, most bars are open for breakfast, and you can get coffee drinks and pastries there. Note that there are different prices - if you stand at the bar it's cheaper than if you sit down at a table.
I stayed at Residenza Ca' Foscolo two years ago, and enjoyed it so much that I'm staying there again in a couple of weeks! They are actually bright, modern apartments, complete with a washer, which might come in handy with a baby. Perfectly located on a canal between Rialto and San Marco.
