Venice, Italy - August
 

With the MR forum abuzz with the NW/KL NYC-VCE $143 thread, seems like a lot of us may be able to meet up. I personally am leaving Aug 7 and returning Aug 12. Would love to meet some FTers if possible!

Addendum - Links to relevant info:

Original NYC-VCE $143 thread
Cheap Lodging inquiry on TravelBuzz!
Dates for FTers going to Venice (compiled by dlnewbie)

Resources I used:

The Rap On Venice From LL Cool J from the "American Way" magazine
Venice Condensed from Lonely Planet

[This message has been edited by timid_trnchcoat (edited 06-24-2003).]

[This message has been edited by timid_trnchcoat (edited 07-30-2003).]

[This message has been edited by timid_trnchcoat (edited 08-13-2003).]

I will be flying the same dates, 8/7-8/12. I haven't decided yet what to do once I get there. I am not interested in spending a large amount of money for a Venice hotel. I am considering a trip to Croatia on the ferry, but I haven't yet found the info on ferry travel from Venice. Maybe I will take a flight from VCE to somewhere else on an award ticket.

Have you already looked into hotels?
Be aware that nearly all of Italys businesses close down in august and go on vacation, so hotels are booked out far in advance. Its often only possible to get hotels in hotspots over consolidators who have prebooked spots.

Same here.. I have heard that Venice is the pits compared to other places.. floating city - big deal. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Anyhow, I'm looking at Firenze as an alternative destination.. via VCE and train.

My Itin:
Depart 8/27 @6:05pm
Return 9/02
(there will be 4 of us)

Trying to figure out the best place to stay givin our "limited" budget.
Anyone have suggestions on where to stay, eat & play - would be much appreciated.

My itin:
dep 8/28
ret 9/1
plan - Benice, Verona
Signed: bysa003 AKA RussianInNYC on fatwallet

Thanks for starting this Trenchcoat.

My daughter spent a few August days in Venice a couple of years ago and she said, besides being hot and crowded, the city most definitely did not shut down.

She mostly stayed at youth hostels on that trip and thought the ones in Venice and Verona were very nice comparatively. They were both well located. In Verona you had to hike up a hill but it was in the old part of the city and you passed by an excellent restaurant on the way. In Venice it was near/with a nice view of a canal and was well run. Not sure if any of you are up to hostels, I know I'm not (too old), but just in case thought I would mention it as they are usually much cheaper, include some meals and allow you to meet fellow travelers.

Dates for us are 8/14-21, JFK and would like to meet some flyertalkers.

8/28 Amtrak DC - NY
8/28 NY Transit to LGA
8/28 NW 488 LGA-DTW
8/28 NW 48 DTW-AMS
8/29 NW 8293 AMS-VCE
9/01 NW 8254 VCE-AMS
9/01 NW 47 AMS-DTW
9/01 NW 534 DTW-LGA
9/02 Amtrak - NY-DC

We're making our way over on 8/21, but will be continuing to Florence/San Gimignano via train on 8/22 or 23. We'll be back in VCE 8/30 - 9/2...not sure where we're staying though.

four of us going. two 8/14-8/19. two 8/14 to 8/20. a bit concerned about hotels.

what are some good consolidators, as previously mentioned?

Two of us going 8/28 and returning 9/1. We will be at the Daneli, using 48,000 starpoints for the 3 (Free http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif) nights

About 8-10 of us from 8/14 - 8/18 (JFK-AMS-VCE). Two staying till 8/19. Picked short dates as hotels are very expensive - looking to stay at a decent place. Anyone heard of the Al Leon - I heard it's a decent place but the rooms are small:

http://www.hotelalleon.com/locanda.html

Unfortunatly no Hiltons or any of their partners otherwise my hotel problems would have been solved. Was looking to stay at the Griti but do not have enough StarPoints. Have enough points for everything else just not with *woods.

Was thinking of trying to cram some extra people to save money but was told against it. Apparently there are very strict about this is Itlay. Here's a response to what I got when I wanted to do this at the Gritti Palace - one of the best and busiest hotels there:

I would not try that. This is very typical for hotels all over Europe. Very different approach. I've actually stayed in places where the cost was double for two people. Completely different approach than we're familiar with. Consequently, they take it very seriously.

Personally, I've never tried anything like this, but I've read many threads here on FT about this very topic and how surprised people were when their guests/spouses were not allowed in the room after a certain time (literally stopped at the elevator) or they had big up-charges added to their bill for the extra guest when they checked out. And this was at places on the order of what you're talking about -- not just little mom-and-pop hotels.

Given what we are familiar with in the U.S. it seems like a very odd way to approach the hotel room business, but as they say, "When in Rome. . ."

About upgrades, I called the CO Gold Elite line and they said the only way you can upgrade is by paying $300 each way plus the mileage. Not worth it!

For anyone who wants to meet up, e-mail me - I'll give you my seat number for the outbound flight...or you can just look out for the loudest people on baord http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by PrivatePilot (edited 05-18-2003).]

What is the lowest price you could find for Amtrak? I am doing a similar itinary except leaving DC on 8/21 and returning on 8/25 , but I was considering just flying to JFK since it costs similar to Amtrak.

Does anyone have any opinion on the Sofitel Venezia? Goes for around $170 + Breakfast. Anybody staying there?

What about Ai Due Leoni hotel. This place goes for EUR 130/night.

I'm also thinking of staying 2 nights in the city center and then 1 night @ a hotel near the airport. The Antony Hotel is running for about $120/night. is this hotel close to the airport? it looks like you still need to take a cab to the airport.


[This message has been edited by FFSaver (edited 05-19-2003).]

I have not yet looked into hotel accomodations yet; still trying to enjoy the semi-euphoria for actually scoring the tix before being faced with the inevitable sticker shock of hotel costs, etc. Undecided as what to do whilst there. Will report back later.

8/7 NW8642 JFK-AMS
8/8 NW8377 AMS-VCE
8/12 NW8472 VCE-AMS
8/12 NW67 AMS-DTW
8/12 NW530 DTW-LGA