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When
to visit?
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Venice has such a charm that all seasons are fit to visit, but since July
and August are the busiest months you will have great difficulties to find
a hotel. Same problem in January but for a whole different reason! Most of
the hotels close for a thorough clean up before the carnival. So if you
can, pick the most agreeable months: June and September. And during
winter, Venice through its mist radiates an extraordinary, particular and
mysterious atmosphere. Beware of May, the windiest and most rainy month.
 Important: most
tourists leave Venice at night. Even during the summer, from 22.00 hours,
Venice regains its real face and identity. A walk in the night is simple a
fairy tale. And there is absolutely nobody as soon as you leave the
neighbourhood of the Rialto or piazza San Marco. Yes, dear friends: Venice
goes early to bed!
Where
to lodge?
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Venice and its suburbs count about 95,000 beds. Nevertheless book in
advance whenever you go and especially in the summer and carnival.
PREPARE YOU STAY: absolutely at least one or two months in advance, even
three for the peak season. Most of the hotel owners speak English “Parla
Inglese?” Send a postal wire (vaglia postale) corresponding to one or
two nights stay. Or else your credit card number.
YOU ARRIVE WITHOUT RESERVATION: Let me be clear. You take lot of risks to
stay outside at night. Take it for almost granted that if you haven’t
found a hotel before 18.00 it is better to return on the continent. I have
numerous stories of tourists that stranded, blocked in Venice at night,
without a room. It’s useless to seek refuge at your consulate. They
cannot help you. So as soon as you arrive run to the AVA (Associazione
Veneziana Albergatori) at Marco Polo airport, Santa Lucia station,
piazzale Roma and piazza San Marco. They will see what the availabilities
are but the choice will be limited. Also very important! Don’t trust
beaters at the train station proposing hotel rooms for very doubtful
prices and hotels. I hope you got the picture! ;-) Better stay in a nice
room in Mestre where there are several hotels and restaurants for
affordable and reasonable prices. A bus or train will bring you next day
to Venice. The whole trip takes 15 minutes. |
