If so, do you have any recommendations for:
a) sights
b) places to stay
What did you think of it - and any pictures?
Thanks in advance
Jon
Yes I went about 3 years ago. Got some cracking pics but that was back in the day of shooting film so i can't show you them :(
As for recommendations, well it was a budget holiday for us. We flew with Ryan Air which whilst great and trouble free, landed quite a way from Venice, so we had to coach the rest of the way - about 1/2 to a whole hour if I remember.
When we got there we walked to our hotel, which we always do so we can 'see' the place.
Can't recall the name of the hotel, but it was on one of the main rivers, and opposite a water taxi place. Nice views.
As for photographs, plenty of opportunities. Try to go out of the main shopping parts or even get a water taxi where you can see some great houses and people.
Try to go in the winter as in the summer it smells everywhere.
San Marco's Sq is nice for pigeon shots, pigeons flying around people and also access to a higher building for Ariel shots.
Eating is easy if you love Italian food as I do, and good beer and wine to boot!
Just passed through en route for one day last summer - magical place, like nothing else on Earth. Pretty easy to walk everywhere without a map as there are only two signs: 'to the railway station' or 'to St. Mark's'! Best ice cream ever near Rialto Bridge. Buon vacanza!
Ben
These don't do it justice...
There are several images in my Prints portfolio (link below) taken there and in Murano and Burano too.
Be warned that hotels and eating are expensive compared with rest of Italy as goods do need to be delivered in by water and that's more expensive than by road.
For some good advice I'd do a SEARCH first (and then post if you have more questions) on //www.fodors.com/forums (Europe) as it's a great resource. I posted there myself and got lots of info and also posted some when I returned.
If so, do you have any recommendations for:
a) sights
b) places to stay
What did you think of it - and any pictures?
Thanks in advance
Jon
Yeah... I was in Venice, California just last month. Venice Beach is nice. They have plenty of Motel 6s where you can stay or, like a lot of transients, you can just sleep on the beach.
I was there in May/June of 2001. Not much smell that I noticed. Bring extra cards as you will take lots of photographs. Definately stay on the island as it is a differnet place after dark and you will want to wander. Most tourists leave at night to get back on shitps and go to the mainland. BTW - the weather in May was wonderful, warm but not hot as it was in southern Italy.
Here are two shots I have handy but they were taken with my old Fuji.
edit: Geez - what an idiot. I guess I should look at dates and read the whole thread before responding. Glad you had a great time!
Definitely visit Murano. Pick up Rick Steves' Venice, it's a very handy guide. These series of books are also very handy - Inside Out Venice with integrated fold-out map (although almost useless in Venice), compass and pen. The compass really makes it.
The Doge Palace was the best big attraction imho and the Guggenheim was wonderful, if you're into modern art. Lunch is great just about anywhere (going for pizzas and stuff), but dinner was only so-so... I'd say to scout out some restaurants ahead of time.
I realize you've been and come back, but man I love Venice. Would have loved to be there for Carnivale... Maybe I'll plan on that in a couple of years.
Jon, you guys are obviously confused. Those pictures don't look anything like historic Venice, California.
Don't you think they need to put in some nice modern skyscrapers in place of those musty, old buldings and do something about that nasty flooding problem they have in that other Venice? :)
Yes, I've been to Venice twice (at ages 11 and 16), and found it absoloutly amazing both times.
-I'd certianly agree with the others that the Basillica and the square in front of it (full of pidgeons that will be hand-fed!) is a must-shoot. At 11, the pidgeon part was a particular favorite!
-There's also some bronze horses around there somewhere, stolen by Venice from Byzantium (if I'm remembering Freshman Civ. correctly) that you misht be able to get some interesting photo studies with.
-There's also the island of Murano, world-famous for it's glass blowing.
-When I was there as a teenager, some of the artists worked in studio with open-to-the public viewing, and I got a great shot of a real Muranian glass-blower at work. I'd look into that, too, if I were you--kinda unique.
-The Bridge of Sighs is a popular subject, but you could probably have fun playing with angles there.
-THe Main Canal is kinda cool with it's hustle and bustle of boat traffic (private boats, gondalas, water taxis, etc).
-If you're willing to pay a little, see what you can get from the vantage point of inside a gondala.
-Also, just hit the back canals and get shots of doors opening to water, clothslines strung over the canals, etc. There's many quaint little sections off the main drag which are absoloutly beautiful through the lens.
Anyway, great luck, have fun, and don't forget to put the camera down every now and then and just enjoy the culture--and food!
-Annette
Oops--Reading back, you've already left and returned. I'll leave this here anyway, and hope others add too as well, just in case someone else is off to Venice soon.
I was there last November. Had a great time. You need to have some time, get a GOOD map, and don't worry about getting lost (it will happen within minutes if you leave the "main drag").
Watch out for doggy-doo! It's everywhere! I'm not joking!!!!!
The sights are cool, but if you have a couple of days, just go down a different alley whenever you leave your hotel.
Hope you have fun.
PS, 2 beers, a tea and an orange juice on St. Marco = about 40 Euro!!! (based on experience). Move two "blocks" away and the price is halved.
Oh, I almost forgot--stray cats, millions of 'em (the note about dog doo in the last post reminded me). If you want to put a more percise subject to a really beautiful scene, grab a cat and stick it in the picture, on a ledge or railing or whatever (bring jerky).
Jon, you guys are obviously confused. Those pictures don't look anything like historic Venice, California.
Don't you think they need to put in some nice modern skyscrapers in place of those musty, old buldings and do something about that nasty flooding problem they have in that other Venice? :)
Ah yes, skyscrapers - that's where they went wrong! Trouble is, all their attempts at tall buildings have resulted in them falling over!..
Latest uploads:
Catbird - I didn't see a single cat! And just two dog poos!
I have been there a few times, and love it, HOWEVER: Be prepaired to be whacked tourist prices on everything. I think I ate the most expensive and worst pizza i've had in my whole life there. In cafe's you will have to pay extra for just sitting on a table.
If money is an issue, then find out places to eat from locals or insiders, or take drinks & snacks with you. Don't even think of a romantic ride on a gondola without talking to your bank manager first.
If you want to park on the island, then also talk to your bank manager. Better is to park somewhere on the mainland and take a bus or train to the island.
Expect the worst, then you can be pleasently surprised. Better than going there & getting pissed about small things.
By the way are you visiting me in South Germany (Munich)
