Trip report: Venice

[Anonymous]

Just finishing up a trip to Lake Como, A ride on the Bernina Express with an overnight in Chur Switzerland and a five night stint in Venice with a day trip to Florence.

What I wish I had known before setting out:
I was worried that five nights was too long. It really wasn’t. We stayed in a very residential normal neighborhood not far from the train station. It had a normal level of city crowd. It was great to have a spacious retreat near a grocery store and a bakery and “our” gelato shop.

Our day trip to Florence was unpleasant. It was very crowded. All of the tourists were in the same four square block area. We walked a ton. The Uffizi was like being herded through an art museum whereas our visit to the Academia in Venice was the exact opposite. The only thing we accomplished was checking Florence off our list. I have no desire to visit again.

The Bernina express was fun, but not better than other alpine rail trips I’ve made to Switzerland. You have to be a real rail fanatic to want to work so hard to go to that particular rail line. I wish I had just flown direct to Zurich, take a train to Maureen and then travelled on to Venice by plane or train as most convenient. Due to sheer luck, the day we flew over the alps from Zurich to Milan had much clearer skies so our view of the alps was much better than the mix of cloudy and rainy skies we had while riding the Bernina Express.

On Lake Como we stayed in Bellano. It was very nice. Wish we had stayed more than two nights but at the same time I don’t feel like we “needed” to.

I had planned for us to travel via rail to Lake Como from Milan on our day of arrival. Given our overnight flight with two children we were not able to do this. I wish we had either reserved a room at the airport hotel in Milan or arranged a car transfer to Lake Como and simply passed out in the back seat.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for posting this. I wish more DCUMers would.

I’m sorry about the Florence day trip. I really enjoy Florence, my DH does not, and I certainly understand why you wouldn’t want to return!

[Anonymous]

We spent four days in Florence last year, along with days in Amalfi, Rome and Venice. Florence was hands down the favorite for our family of two parents and two teenagers. Sorry you didn’t enjoy it but maybe you needed more time there.

[Anonymous]

I am in Europe right now and everywhere is super crowded, and it’s not primarily Americans. The crowds have hampered our enjoyment of places like London and Munich, which I used to love.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am in Europe right now and everywhere is super crowded, and it’s not primarily Americans. The crowds have hampered our enjoyment of places like London and Munich, which I used to love.

I've noticed this too on spring breaks. Lots of eastern europe in for easter hols. (in my anecdotal experience),including school groups. Obnoxious teens.

[Anonymous]

I am thinking of doing a trip like this over the summer - any specific lodging recs in Venice , lake como etc? Traveling as a family of 4 with older teens

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for posting this. I wish more DCUMers would.

I’m sorry about the Florence day trip. I really enjoy Florence, my DH does not, and I certainly understand why you wouldn’t want to return!

+1

More trip reports, folks!

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry that was your experience with Florence. It is an amazing place, but sounds like it was nightmarishly overcrowded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for posting this. I wish more DCUMers would.

I’m sorry about the Florence day trip. I really enjoy Florence, my DH does not, and I certainly understand why you wouldn’t want to return!

+1

More trip reports, folks!

People probably don't want to post trip reports here because it could be very easy to figure out who was posting, if a friend was reading.

That would break the first rule of DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately all these places will only get more crowded as tourists the world over skip USA

[Anonymous]

I would never go to Florence (or Rome) right before Easter. Florence can definitely be miserable if you don't avoid peak times.

[Anonymous]

We were in Venice over New Years and I found the streets (especially between St Marks Sq and Rialto bridge) absolutely packed but the activities we did were not at all, and it wasn’t crowded just outside of those specific areas. Booking tours/activities seems more important than ever now

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for posting this. I wish more DCUMers would.

I’m sorry about the Florence day trip. I really enjoy Florence, my DH does not, and I certainly understand why you wouldn’t want to return!

+1

More trip reports, folks!

People probably don't want to post trip reports here because it could be very easy to figure out who was posting, if a friend was reading.

That would break the first rule of DCUM.

Meh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am thinking of doing a trip like this over the summer - any specific lodging recs in Venice , lake como etc? Traveling as a family of 4 with older teens

So, we stayed at a VRBO in Venice. That seemed to work the best with kids who are picky eaters. It also helped us get a bit off the beaten path. The neighborhood we stayed in was on the border of Santa Croce and Dorsoduro. We really enjoyed it. Close to most things.

In Bellano on Lake Como we stayed at this hotel:
https://www.meridianotel.it/en/
It was lovely but I don't recommend the attached restaurant. There are at least a dozen restaurants within easy walking distance, and more within boating distance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were in Venice over New Years and I found the streets (especially between St Marks Sq and Rialto bridge) absolutely packed but the activities we did were not at all, and it wasn’t crowded just outside of those specific areas. Booking tours/activities seems more important than ever now

Or just not spending your entire trip in the most tourist heavy parts of cities