Just back from a four night stay in Venice w my 93 yo Dad. GREAT trip!

We booked on line w the Consorcio Motoscafi Venizia: they have a great site and very easy to do. 10% discount on round trip so 180Euros round trip from/to the airport. No problems at all: they were expecting us at the airport water taxi terminal, and picked us up at our hotel sat 8 am right on time. You print the coupon/reservation from the email they send you after booking.The only problem, that I had not anticipated is that the "7 minute" walk from the terminal to the water station took my Dad more like 20 min or even longer. We should have organized a wheelchair or taxi; apparently there is a way to get a van or shuttle for people who need assistance, with a phone line at the Vaporetto station to call; we did not know and the trip back up the sidewalk to the terminal was tough on him. We had very little baggage. If you have a big party, lots of bags, or slow movers I'd check out transport options. A porter was 35Euros if you want one.



Once in Venice, it was great. We stayed at the Londra Palace, steps away from the water taxi/vaporetto. We had a pvt water taxi and guide to Murano, and this was good: we ended up skipping Torcello and Burano and just motoring around the canals and waterways, while our guide filled us in on history, venice chit-chat, etc. Its the perfect way to see Venice. We booked this through IC Bellagio, a Italian Agency. The walking is not bad at all: just avoid the hordes of Asian tourists in San Marco; and the little streets are fascinating.

Also fun was just using the day pass on the vaporetto: we got on early so we had good seats in front, took line No.2 all around the islands..could have gone on and on. Then back to the hotel for a Campari and soda!
Ate at Alle Tesiere and Al Covo, as these are close to the hotel in Costello, and good. Alle Testiere was the best: I had booked ahead, as it is tiny.

In the afternoons we went shopping while Dad napped. His being along was an excuse to skip all the museums!