[Avalon]

Ok - so its not EXACTLY in NZ - but we are off to uk for a month and are heading to Venice for 2 days ( and I think NZ is expensive :exit )

So I was wondering - has anyone on here been there - and do you have recommondations for places to eat?

Or any things to see / do that are not on the tourist hot-trail that we might miss.

Ta muchly

[Wannaway]

Given that Venice is quite small and separated from the mainland by a boat trip, its a bit difficult to avoid the tourist side of it, but I absolutely loved Venice. We went in late Sept, avoiding worst of tourist crush, if you are going in March/April you may find the same. We were able to wile away the hours sitting on some cafe terace on one of the many small piazzas, nursing a coffee and reading a book - it was marvellous! The best thing is to just walk around the little streets, across the bridges, visit the churchs and piazzas and soak in the atmosphere. There is a great museum in St Marks Sq (which I loved but my wife didn't like very much at all). As for somewhere to eat, you'll be spoilt for choice there are so many places most of which serve good basic fare and there is a fantastic chocolate/cake shop, can't remember where but down a little side road. Ahhhh Venice.....

[Avalon]

We were able to wile away the hours sitting on some cafe terace on one of the many small piazzas, nursing a coffee and reading a book - it was marvellous! .....

Jealous! As yet - not on a single 1 of our weekend citybreaks have i ever been able to sit and while away the hours. They are usually utterly manic and somewhat hard on my ickle feet!

And im staying out of the cake shops! I can just imagine how wonderful they are going to be - deadly!

[Smiler]

Helen

When you are next in Welly ;) the 'Earth from the air' exhibition at Waitangi Park has a 4x3 ft pic of Venice from the air. The whole exhibition is fab but I loved this pic though, never having been there, it gave me some concept of the size etc.

You may find it on here http://www.yannarthusbertrand.com/

[Rabbit]

If hubby is feeling flush then you could try this one:
http://www.hotelcipriani.com/web/ocip/ocip_a1a_splash.jsp

If you are looking for something different :
http://www.abitarelastoria.it/

If cost is an issue then it can be cheaper staying outside further up the coast.

A cup of coffee in the main square can cost a fortune, but they do provide an on-suite orchestra whilst you sit and look at the world go by.

There is a nice hotel on the Lido (a small island), and they will pick you up by private boat at the airport and also take you across to the mainland when you need to go and play tourist.

[gil]

Hi Avalon,
There are tons of reasonably priced "pensioni" (small hotels) in every city in Italy, especially the ones that attrach lots of visitors, like Venice (Venezia). Have a look at the official Venice tourist office website:
http://www.turismovenezia.it/eng/dynalay.asp?PAGINA=407
There's lots of choice without having to go along the coast.
Get about Venice on the vaporetti (water buses) and if you want to go on the gondolas, be prepared to forfeit at least an arm and a leg each!!
Florian on Piazza San Marco is the most famous coffee shop in Venice, dating from the eighteenth century. It's not cheap, but is amazing!!
Have a wonderful time!
Gil
x

[Avalon]

Thank you everybody.

So basically - a second mortgage is in order?

Apparantly Alan is handling the Gondolier "moment" - so ill remember to be doubly impressed :laugh

And Rabbit - whoa - was that a good accomodation site - right up my strret. The one in venice is full - but ive bookmarked it in case I can ever afford another flight back. I think any "flush" that hubby might be feeling is going to be used to pay for the Gondolier and a coffee at florian!

Smiler - seen it. isnt it wonderful? I saw it in London a few years back, and went for a look here too. Some new pictures which was great. Im taking my mum next week.

Thanks again.

Hxxx