Italy - Good Venice trip?

I just bought a Groupon for 300 gbp

Includes 2 nights hotel, breakfast and airfare from Stansted to Venice
They originally offered us La Meridiana, but that is not as close as their 2nd offer, which was: Hotel Alle Torri

Has anyone ever stayed at Hotel Alle Torri? The reviews are mixed on Trip Advisor.

Also, anyone have any recommendations for Venice? It's my husband's first time.

Thank you!
:)
H

Presumably since this was a groupon deal, it is too late to change/reconsider?

The issue of distance in Venice is a tricky one b/c what may appear "closer" to Venice on a map (and may even be closer in terms of actual distance) does not necessarily mean it will be faster/easier to get to the city. If I am correct on the hotels, La Meridiana is located on the Lido, while the Alle Torri is situated in Marghera. Neither of those is Venice proper, but the Lido is more "like" Venice, can be a lot of fun during the summer, and will be much easier to get to/from Piazza San Marco, etc...

As for what to do in Venice. Venture well beyond Piazza San Marco, yes it is beautiful, historic, etc... but many visitors to the city visit just the Piazza, rather than allowing themselves the opportunity to wander the city and enjoy themselves. Yes, you might get lost - but that's the fun of it.

Presumably since this was a groupon deal, it is too late to change/reconsider?

The issue of distance in Venice is a tricky one b/c what may appear "closer" to Venice on a map (and may even be closer in terms of actual distance) does not necessarily mean it will be faster/easier to get to the city. If I am correct on the hotels, La Meridiana is located on the Lido, while the Alle Torri is situated in Marghera. Neither of those is Venice proper, but the Lido is more "like" Venice, can be a lot of fun during the summer, and will be much easier to get to/from Piazza San Marco, etc...

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stay at la meridiana. 2km to the vaporetto. do a lot of vaperetto. walk from one end of venice to the other.

n.b. i have never stayed on mainland or lido. would only consider it if close to vapretto to get off of lido.

stay at la meridiana. 2km to the vaporetto. do a lot of vaperetto. walk from one end of venice to the other.

n.b. i have never stayed on mainland or lido. would only consider it if close to vapretto to get off of lido.

You can take land buses on the Lido if Meridiana isn't near a vaporetto stop. To my mind, the bigger issue than distance is area. Marghera is an industrial area, the Lido is a beach suburb. Given the choice, I still opt for the latter.

Thanks, guys! You are super helpful!! I actually think I'll try to get a refund.
They also "mysteriously" never have Gatwick available even though they advertise it.

Thanks, guys! You are super helpful!! I actually think I'll try to get a refund.
They also "mysteriously" never have Gatwick available even though they advertise it.

look, lido is much better than london. i'd go. i just would choose not to stay on lido if there was a work around.

Avoid any restaurant with a "tourist or touristic menu". They WILL rip you off for couverts/Seating, and the food is usually terrible too.

Venice is now filled with McDonals, KFC, Pizza Hut and other commercial brands. Pickpockets have a field day around the attractions. A Gondola ride is usually 140 Euros or 200$ excluding tips.

There are almost no young people in Venice, as there is always so many tourists that glare at the houses, walks everywhere and generally annoy the locals.

Get up early if you want to actually see stuff, instead of people :)

Take a boat ride out to Burano.

Avoid any restaurant with a "tourist or touristic menu". They WILL rip you off for couverts/Seating, and the food is usually terrible too.

Venice is now filled with McDonals, KFC, Pizza Hut and other commercial brands. Pickpockets have a field day around the attractions. A Gondola ride is usually 140 Euros or 200$ excluding tips.

There are almost no young people in Venice, as there is always so many tourists that glare at the houses, walks everywhere and generally annoy the locals.

Get up early if you want to actually see stuff, instead of people :)

this post is mostly urban legend nonsense.

most of the lower priced restaurants have a translated(tourist ) menu. i think there are 2 kfc in venice proper. also think there be 2 mc donalds

tourist can (and must ) be avoided.
veince has a lot of young people. baby production is inhibited by all the steps and the high prices.
although the pickpocket problem is out there, it is negleable compared to most other european tourist cities. this is not rome, or ramblas in barcelona, or even paris. you want to feel someone else in your pants, venice is the wrong place to visit.

Well... We just went with the Alle Torri hotel, which was clean enough for us, free internet and breakfast. There was a bus stop right in front that took us to Venice in about 15 minutes. For the price, was not bad at all. Can't complain too much. It certainly wasn't luxury, but...

Venice is always beautiful and while there are ALWAYS tourists there, we were lucky enough to go on a Monday & Tuesday. Less tourists than a weekend.

We took the liberty of checking on Trip Advisor and went to the top 3 places for food. I must say that the Bacareto da Lele was as awesome as trip advisor said it was. The other 2 were eh. Would have loved to go with a local.

The first day we got there, we paid for a Vayable experience. 4 hours on an old boat, being taken around by a local. The food he served us was amazing, but the actual tour and trip was pretty bad.

All in all, a perfect, 2 day, cheap getaway to Venice! 2 days was perfect!
:)

this post is mostly urban legend nonsense.



While you are entitled to your opinion. I have to disagree with you. I have been to Venice two times, I am not just making things up you know.


Maybe I was unlucky but both times I saw tourists who had been pickpocketed talk to the local police.

Anyway, glad poster#1 had a good time.

While you are entitled to your opinion. I have to disagree with you. I have been to Venice two times, I am not just making things up you know.


Maybe I was unlucky but both times I saw tourists who had been pickpocketed talk to the local police.

Anyway, glad poster#1 had a good time.

Agreed re: the positive trip report.

As for the other issues - as a semi-resident of Venice, let me add the following:

Yes, there are pickpockets but actually far, far fewer than elsewhere in Italy and far far fewer than one would find in NYC, Paris or any other place.

Re: restaurants w/tourist menus, etc... There are certainly tourist traps w/tourist menus selling lousy found in Venice, esp. around Rialto and Piazza San Marco (da Carla being a notable exception in the latter area) but simply having a prix fixe menu doesn't = a tourist trap. The 'pane e coperto' charge is standard in Italy, not unique to Venice.