|
And most fantastic was our last water taxi ride from near San Marco to the Airport at about 5AM as we wended our way thru the sleeping city out onto the lagoon to watch it fade away from us in the distance. Unbelievable, and altho we are arriving at Marco Polo in midafternoon (by the good graces of Alitalia, we hope), I think that we shall try to recapture some of that magic.
|
Originally Posted by monitor
And most fantastic was our last water taxi ride from near San Marco to the Airport at about 5AM as we wended our way thru the sleeping city out onto the lagoon to watch it fade away from us in the distance. Unbelievable, and altho we are arriving at Marco Polo in midafternoon (by the good graces of Alitalia, we hope), I think that we shall try to recapture some of that magic.
|
Originally Posted by obscure2k
[b] I would rather skip a meal and opt for the watertaxi transfer. Bear in mind, drivers are not tipped.
Yes, I enjoy arriving. I enjoy being there. I enjoy strolling through strange cities. But I do not enjoy getting from X to Y -- and I don't care if we are talking about being on a bus, train, plane, or boat. (A car is not too bad as long as I am driving.) I find it boring. It is that simple. No matter what amenities a F/C ticket on the world's best airline offers, they can't compare with what I have in my house. The flat seat will not be as comfortable as my own chairs and beds. The food will not be as good as in a medium-quality restaurant near my home and the choice will be much less. The ITV won't come even near comparing to what my TV and CD player offer me. Knowing this, I will not fork out $3000 for a TLV-MXP FC ticket when I can get Y for $250. Nor will I hand over $80 for a water taxi when I can get on a shuttle for $10. I would rather use the money saved to pay for future trips so I can be in more places, more often. |
Originally Posted by obscure2k
I know, at least four who are looking forward to O2K's Venice--white truffles, opera, fresh fish, watertaxis and, hey, just follow my lead. Are you listening, Dorlee, and Monitor?
And by the time that Parigi o caro comes up for us in the opera at La Fenice, he very likely will have been at the casino long enough to bust out and render his Amex number completely useless because of the numerous cash drawdowns he will have taken. I am fairly sure that belle3388 and some others will be joining us in the truffles, etc. but my hope is that Canarsie can make it. After visiting with him at a couple of dinners in Atlanta last month, I believe that this kind of stuff will be just up his alley. And since he does take his duties as a Moderator quite seriously, I know that he will be reading this thread fairly soon. |
Originally Posted by Dovster
I guess the big difference between O2K and myself on this issue stems from my very un-FT attitude: I don't enjoy travelling!
Yes, I enjoy arriving. I enjoy being there. I enjoy strolling through strange cities. But I do not enjoy getting from X to Y -- and I don't care if we are talking about being on a bus, train, plane, or boat. (A car is not too bad as long as I am driving.) I find it boring. It is that simple. No matter what amenities a F/C ticket on the world's best airline offers, they can't compare with what I have in my house. The flat seat will not be as comfortable as my own chairs and beds. The food will not be as good as in a medium-quality restaurant near my home and the choice will be much less. The ITV won't come even near comparing to what my TV and CD player offer me. Knowing this, I will not fork out $3000 for a TLV-MXP FC ticket when I can get Y for $250. Nor will I hand over $80 for a water taxi when I can get on a shuttle for $10. I would rather use the money saved to pay for future trips so I can be in more places, more often. |
Originally Posted by obscure2k
I also recall a day in November 2003 when you, looking mighty fine in your cashmere coat and swell hat, alighted Marco Tognacci's water-taxi at the boat landing of our rented palazzo. You looked like a pretty happy guy cruising up the Grand Canal on your way back to Ai Mori ;)
Explanation: I wanted to walk back to the Ai Mori, but O2K was worried that I would spend too long visiting her and was very anxious to get rid of me. (This is not an usual situation for me.) Hence, she called Marco and had him give me a (free) ride home. She figured that once he showed up I couldn't keep him waiting and would have to get out of her place. What she did not tell you is that her boat landing was about 18 meters higher than the water taxi and I had to take a life-threatening jump to get into it. I spent the rest of the ride worried about finding myself with a reverse jump upon arrival (which, fortunately, was not the case or I would still be in Marco's boat.) Monitor, your letter has been replied to in the Delta Silly Thread as this one is only for serious responses such as the one I just gave O2K. |
[QUOTE=obscure2k] Dov It is clear that you have never arrived in VCE via watertaxi. This is not about anything other than an incredibly unique experience. ....[.QUOTE]
I'm finally convinced. Does one reserve them in advance, or are they hanging about the airport? Are there two other FlyerTalkers who would like to share at approx 10 am Saturday ? While I don't stoop to Denny's, I'm pretty low maintenance. But there are certain life experiences that should never be missed, and perhap this is one. So we skip a meal, not like we're going to wither away from lack of sustence. BTW what approx time is the Saturday walking tour? Assuming we will be at the hotel by noon latest can my UNS* and I hit the streets running with you guys? If we get lost, can someone leave several meeting points that we can perhaps locate and join the group? lili, asking if we're there yet *UNS has a real name, but perphaps like Dovster's UIG, ppsuedoynms are more intriging. |
Originally Posted by lili-dui
BTW what approx time is the Saturday walking tour? Assuming we will be at the hotel by noon latest can my UNS* and I hit the streets running with you guys? If we get lost, can someone leave several meeting points that we can perhaps locate and join the group?
lili, asking if we're there yet *UNS has a real name, but perphaps like Dovster's UIG, ppsuedoynms are more intriging. Everything else will be set by the group when we get together. You will, of course, be free to join the walking tour but as I said, I have no idea yet of when it will begin. Normally, I would offer to meet you at the hotel and guide you to wherever the group might be but the UIG (who really does have a name -- Bianca) will be arriving on Saturday and I don't know what time I will have to go to the train station to meet her. |
Originally Posted by obscure2k
[b] A watertaxi from Marco Polo Airport is unlike any taxi in the world!! Grab your luggage from the carousel, hop onto a shuttle bus (the kind with wheels) and you will be transported to the taxi-landing. Once you get into the "taxi' you will find yourself careening across the Venetian lagoon with a wake behind you and other taxis nearby and all of the drivers are waving to each other. If the weather is good, sit outside with the driver and you will love the cool fresh air after flying for so many hours. If inclement weather, put on your raincoat and sit outside with the driver. This is the best introduction to VCE!! You will see the magic city rise out of the dark lagoon. Before your eyes you will see the spires of San Marco and Madonna del Orte. If staying at Ai Mori, your driver will do a straight shot across the lagoon and depending on the tides will either take you to the hotel wending your way through the Sestiere of Castello or head right to Cannarregio and you will be at the hotel in 15 minutes. There is nothing like this experience in the world. When that watertaxi pulls up to the boat landing of AiMori and the bellman retrieves your luggage and sweet Marco checks you in you will immediately fall in love with Venice. Please, if possible, do not miss the experience of entering VCE for the first time via watertaxi. I know that it is a great indulgence (about $80.00). As many times as I have been to VCE (now more times than I can count), I have never felt cheated. I would rather skip a meal and opt for the watertaxi transfer. Bear in mind, drivers are not tipped. You will never, ever, forget this experience. You will have many other opportunities to travel with the locals on the Vaporettos. Gotta trust me on this one.
We would be happy to share a ride with anyone. Our arrival time and flight numbers are posted in Dov's main thread. o2k do you think we can convince Leonard that risotto is "grits"? :p |
Originally Posted by Dorlee
o2k do you think we can convince Leonard that risotto is "grits"? :p
|
Originally Posted by lili-dui
I'm finally convinced. Does one reserve them in advance, or are they hanging about the airport? Are there two other FlyerTalkers who would like to share at approx 10 am Saturday ?
http://www.veniceairport.it/parcheggi.jhtml?lan=en Sharing a taxi with two or three others brings the cost closer to the shuttle price, and to me, not having to transfer baggage is worth the difference, not to mention the unique experience that has already caught your attention! |
Call Me The Rainbreaker.....
Originally Posted by Dorlee
Perhaps in the rain?
I enjoy rain and other assorted meteorological events as I experience virtually no weather in Southern California. So when traveling, I look forward to seeing rain, thuderstorms, snow, the occasional blizzard, whatever. But here's what I see when I travel: Sun :mad: If I spend a week in Florida, New Orleans, Seattle or other places known for their weather, a climatic shift will occur upon my arrival. Low pressure areas dissipate. Droughts set in. Rain clouds disappear. You get my drift. Leave your raincoats and boots at home and save some room in your luggage to haul back souvenirs. Mark my words on this. While we are in Venice, folks will stare at the blazing sun in wonderment and make such comments as: " We have NEVER seen so many dry days as we are experiencing this week." " It's typically raining this month but for some unknown reason we've been spared" " What a SUPERB stretch of weather we have for you this week, Signor Cholula!! " Of course they will be speaking in Italian and I won't understand what they are saying. But I'll recognize the fingers pointing to the sun and the overwhelming joy on their faces. I've seen it many, many times before......:(. |
Originally Posted by monitor
And pancetta is fatback?
We can also save money by eliminating the truffles from Leonard's risotto, because he can't smell their wonderful aroma. He fell down a crevasse in Alaska, had a head injury, and lost his sense of smell....no joke. The money we save on eliminating the truffles will pay for the water taxi @:-) |
I still think I want take the water bus from the airport. I really like being with other people, taking circuitous routes and don't mind wandering around pulling my luggage along with me--which is probably why I would rather take the "A" train or the Air Train and the "E" train, from JFK to Manhattan, rather than a town car. Hunki prefers a town car, so we compromise and take the train during the day and a town car at night. I detest taxis in NYC and will only take them when I am dressed up fancy and it is raining--even then I might take the subway if the stations are convenient.
How much walking will we be doing? Should I bring 10 mile walking shoes? I actually cleaned them up and rubbed them down with mink oil last weekend to get them ready for our rainy season. Will I have difficulty finding lots of fresh vegetables and plain grilled chicken or fish? Since I don't eat any meat other than grilled white chicken or fish, and don't eat sweets, and try to avoid bread and sauces, eating in Europe is often a bit of a challenge. Eating in Southern California is a great joy for me. Dorlee, how are things looking for the impending arrival of Ivan? |
Originally Posted by Punki
How much walking will we be doing?
The strange thing is that it will not feel like a lot of walking. That's because every five minutes you will stop to look in a shop, go into a church, grab an espresso, poke around the stalls in the Rialto, enjoy some pastry, or just stare in amazement at the buildings and the traffic on the canals. |
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 9:32 am. |
This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.