Taking my wife to Venice for her birthday in October,has anyone any tips to share or dos and donts?

Answer 1

well ,,, took my hubby 4 his 4oth,,,, we had great time ,,, verry expensive ,,,but was great ,,,, hope u enjoy ,,, gondola 45 min ride cost 100 euro but take it is great ,,,, only try avoid rush tourist hours ,,, at Marcus plazza think if u sitting in cafe and music is playing u be charge like 8 euros per person,,,so try 2 take sit next cafe ,,, u still enjoy the music and u save the money ,,,and wherever u go to restaurant and cafe READ THE MENU ,,, mostly prises not including 15 vat ,,so that's comes on top and they charge like is some restaurants 3 euros per person 4 having table ,,, well its really like cause u tourist u pay everywhere extra ,,, but we still did enjoy and would recommend ,,, have great holiday and happy bday 4 ur better half

Answer 2

My boyfriend has taken me to Venice for my birthday two years running in October and both times we have had a wonderful time. 2 years ago the weather was so good that we were able to swim in the hotel outdoor pool but last year we had a lot of rain the first day then sunshine on the second day when we ate lunch outside. If you want to splash out I can recommend staying at the San Clemente Palace hotel which is on an island off Venice and very romantic.
Other than that I would say to avoid going on a gondola and use the public navetto boats as that way you can get on and off wherever takes your fancy along the route.
Enjoy your trip. It's a beautiful place- not as expensive as everyone has said above, but to get better value and more important, better quality food, walk a liitle further from the busy areas near to san marco. Enjoy!

Answer 3

1) RENT AN APARTMENT
If you're staying more than a night or two - DEFINITELY rent an apartment, versus staying in hotel.

a) Hotel rates are exhorbitant in Venice, you'll probably save close to 50% on a apartment Rental.

b) The apartments are really, really clean & nice, with housekeeping service

c) You get a feel for a *real* Venice neighborhood. Shop at the little neighborhood stores for your daily needs (bread, cheese, wine, yogurt, fruits & veggies). You're probably going to eat out most formal meals at restaurants anyway. This way you'll discover the cooler little neighborhood restaurants too.

d) Check with Denise at Venice Rentals. American girl who visited Venice, fell in love with a local, and now rents apartments to tourists. She's also the best person for local restaurant recommendations, etc.(http://www.venicerentals.com/)

2) WATER TAXIS & BUSES

The route/schedule can be a *little* confusing, but worth learning. It's TOO damned easy to get lost in Venice.


3) FLOODING

In October, you *might* get some flooding in St. Mark's Square and other parts of town. Bring shoes that you won't mind getting wet.


4) HAVE A BELLINI AT HARRY'S

Just off St. Mark's Square is the famous Harry's Bar
/www.worldsbestbars.com/city/venice/harrys-bar-venice.htm">Harry's Bar. Do the right thing. Go have a Bellini there.


5) SEE A VIVALDI CONCERT

It's a little cheesy. Definitely a touristy thing to do, but go to one of the several Vivaldi concerts each night in the various churches that dot the neighborhoods. There intimate, lovely and a little culture won't kill you, right?

6) CHECK OUT THE OLD, AND THE NEW, MUSEUMS
- Doge's Palace
- Picasso Museum


7) MURANO
- Take the water bus to Murano. See the amazing/beautiful art glass being made. Buy an unforgetable souveneir.



8) AVOID / GEN'L TIPS
- It's October - avoid The Lido (the "beach" district") since there's not too much to do out there when the beaches are packed with summer visitors

- Restaurants right near the Rialto Bridge charge the highest prices, and while seemingly charming, the outdoor cafes lose that charm when you're surrounded by swarms of tourists

- Gondolas are negotiable - don't take the first price. They know you're a tourist.

9) EXTRAS
- IF you've got some extra time, and flexible travelling schedule, take the cruise down the Adriatic to CORFU, Greece! It's an island in the Adriatic - much more similar in climate to So. Cal, and not one of the sun-bleached islands you typically think of when someone says "Greek Isles". The island is just unbelievable. It's essentially a tourist spot in the summer for Brits & Germans. (If you're concerned, they're very American friendly - don't get many there). The major beachside resorts will have great rates in October, technically being the "off season", but it'll still be plenty warm for outdoors activities, if not downright sunbathing on the beach.

Cruises leave Venice every few days. We took the Saturday boat - leaves around noon, gets to Corfu a day later. You can get reasonable small jet flights out of Corfu to Athens, and then from Athens to anywhere.

Answer 4

Peak season for a trip to Europe is June - September. It's good that you are out of that range as I'm sure you will save money, I'm just not sure about the weather. I went in May and it was perfect. The airfare was half of what it would have been in June and the weather was still great. I wasn't prepared for the locals disapproval of tourists. They either love you or hate you. They feel too many foreigners have bought time shares there that have been left empty and not in use. They'll love you because they like money like everyone else. So bring plenty of it. I was kicked out of a glass making store because I didn't buy anything. The food was terrific, the bread was the worst! You must go to San Marco square and feed the pigeons. It's an amazing and timeless experience. Go early in the morning when it is less crowded. I would also recommend spending more for a hotel room. Granted, you will be sightseeing all day and won't spend large amounts of time in your room, you will be using a bathroom while your there and Europe is not famous for them. If your checking hotel ratings, I would go higher than you normally would. If I could do it over again, I would be more adventurous and see other parts of Italy, so I'm not sure how much time you will have there. Remember, you have to pay for public bathroom use. It ranges from 30 - 50 euro cents. There are ATM's around the town and get familiar with the conversion of American Dollars to Euro's before you go, or you'll over spend on things you might think your getting a good deal on. There are a lot of stairs, more than you realize. I was only there for two days, but with more rest and time, we could have seen much more. Venice is beautiful and very very romantic. Your wife will LOVE it. a gondola ride, whatever the cost, is worth it. It is another amazing and timeless experience. Ask for Mosimo if you can.. :)

As with any travel, just do a lot of research before you go. Don't consult with the wife either, she will love the surprises!!!

I have pictures to share and if you have any questions, your welcome to e-mail them.

Take care, be safe, have fun!!!

Answer 5

I visit Venezia in all seasons. October can have high tides which means parts of San Marco and San Croce flood up to 30cm. Raised walkways are available but very crowded in the tourist areas.

Avoid the main route from the station to Ponte Rialto to Piazza St Marco except as a transit route. It can be hot for pickpockets and beggers. Otherwise it's a very safe city.

When you take her on a gondola haggel with the gondolier on your own then take her on a surprise. There are limits on when gondoliers can use the Grand canal so be prepared for some innaccesable routes.

Most of the resteraunts on the Grand Canal will part you from lots of money for very indifferent food. Try the resteraunts on the Southside of Dosoduro facing the Guidecca Canale.

Don't rely on a map . Enjoy exploring..

Answer 6

There's a little island off Venice I think it's called Berona or something similar. Very colorful place with shops & restaurants that's fun to visit. Of course you have to do the gondola ride. Also, take a boat cruise at night that cruises the canal. During the day is OK but at night it's much better.

Answer 7

Venice is a beautiful city but very expensive. Just sitting at the piazza drinking a cup of coffee will cost you $8.00 (US) a beer about the same. Move a few streets back from that famous centre and the same will cost you less. And be prepared to stay in line to see the inside of certain buildings as tour operators unload thousands and thousands of travellers from all over Europe to see this most interesting city. But do go. Money is only money and you'll probably never get to see it again.
Have a wonderful trip.

Answer 8

i wouldn't go to Venice in October. I was there on a rainy October day. the town was flooded and smelled terribly. Besides, there were too many tourists there despite the terrible weather and it was impossible to enjoy the beauties of the town. BTW, the worst pizza i've ever eaten was in venice. But still, you should go to Venice, but in another month

Answer 9

In October the weather might be bad. You might need serious rain coats and rubber boots.
For October, Rome or Florence might be a good option.
In Vernice, it's very nice to walk around. The place is small, but streets and squares form a sort of very charming labyrinth. Gondolas are outrageously expensive, so make sure you ask the price before you get in.

Answer 10

i went to Venice last summer and it was amazing!!! take her on a gondala ride! if u can, get a chance to see how Murano glass is made! there's a factory there in Venezia called "Vecchia Murano" glass factory and it's awesome to see how their murano glass is made. buy some in the factory, or if not, there are also vendors selling them. but make sure the glass is the real thing because there are some vendors that sell fakes. i went to the factory, and there was tons of beautiful vases and jewerly that were made of murano glass, but i regret not buying any.
and also, venice has beautiful masks!!!! i was hesitating to buy one because it was kind of pricey, but i bought one anyway and got a bargain for it. make sure those are real too, you SHOULD get a guarantee for it if it's the real thing. buy one!!!!!
stop and buy some gelato!!!! i'd suggest eating as much of it as you can!!!! it's so DELICIOUS!!! and when u get back to your home country, i doubt you'll find ANYthing like it!!!!
but there are many MANY gypsies that will follow you begging you for money, so keep your money very close you to. u can turn around and one will be standing right there in back of you. just walk away or ignore them if u don't want to give them money.
i was forced to buy a disposible camera there becuase i ran out of film and their disposible cameras are VERY expensive there!!!! one camera with 27 exposures was $14 in american money. take a LOT of your own film so u dont' have to buy there!
hope you and your wife have a wonderful time!!!!