Would it be a better idea to...???

You should be able to get a cheaper flight into Milan. There are daily trains to Santa Lucia. The trip is ,I think, about 3 hours.

some airlines (mostly budget airlines) fly into Treviso, which is approximately 20 minutes by train from Venice. The train ride from Milano Centrale train station to Venice is about 2.5 hours. However, be sure to calculate the cost of transferring from Treviso airport to the train station. You might not end up saving much money when you compare the cost of flying into Marco Polo.

I don't know when you were there before. I had a friend who went to Venice for Carnival. He said there were two main walking streets that created a one way circle. The crowds were so thick you essentially kept slow walking in a circle the entire time.

There are some pricey private parties where you can get a view of the "slow-walkers" below. If it fits your budget, you may have a better time planning on the private costume parties.

Thank you for help.

I was there in July for a very short 1.5 days (2 nights). The train schedules are not available for February yet; too early.

I know Carnival is very crowded but my friends and I wanted to experience it and walk around and just be in it. I don't think we were planning to go to any private custome parties.

Flying to Marco Polo is very expensive and has lay-overs. I can only find flying into Milan as a reasonable flight (and non-stop!). I tried looking up other airports in the area, but either there are no flights at all (sold out?) or very expensive.

I could not remember the train time between Milan and Venice (2.5-3 hours is not too bad). In July, we went to Milan after Venice and then flew out of Milan (we flew into Rome).

Then again, it might be all a pipe dream!

More importantly than the train is can you get accommodations? if so, do they have so many nights minimum? They may want a 4 or 5 night minimum?

Yes, there is still accomodations. I think I have decided not to go.

Even though I would love it, I don't think this is the climate to go. I admit to being a little jittery with the credit crisis.

My job is not in jeopardy or anything, but with all these banks collapsing gets me very nervous.

michele, if you have the funds, I wouldn't let the "credit crisis" hold you back. It sounds like your trip to Venice for Carnevale would be incredible, especially since it occurs on your birthday!

My present attitude towards this type of situation is mostly due to an injury that I sustained several years ago. For me, it was an epiphany! I realized that a single event can prevent one from achieving long planned dreams (in my case, travels in Europe). I resolved that from now on, I won't let minor details hold me back as a similar event could occur in my life at any time. If I'm in good health and can get the money together, I'll be travelling (unfortunately, paying for trips is a "reality" that I can't avoid)! Poor exchange rates, bank problems or terrorist threats will not deter me from travelling!

Cheers!

Michele, If you book the hotel accommodations now, how long do you have to cancel without a penalty? And flights? Often I use my travel agent for flights. If she can get me a good price (sometimes I can do better on the internet), she can hold the reservation but not issue the tickets, thus no $$ outlay.

What I'm saying is, KEN'S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. Secure your trip, then consider it, without pressure. In a few weeks, if you really really are reluctant to travel, cancel.

Thank you, Ken, Chani --

For the most part, I do have the same feeling. However, the 4 of us were going to go, then 1 backed out, then 2 more talked and they backed out, so it also unravelled on me.

It is disappointing, and with everything else happening...I certainly don't want to go by myself.

I don't have a travel agent, I book everything on my own. One never knows, maybe AAA will have some sort of trip. Or, I can always plan for next year!

Even though it seems you have made the decision NOT to go here's a reminder;

Flying NYC to London is relatively inexpensive (check Orbitz) since it is a major European hub. Flights are on Orbitz for Feb. 09.

You could then use Easy Jet or Ryan Air to get to Italy.

Happy Trails!