Venice with Dad April 2011
 

We'll be in Venice for four nights just before Easter, with my 93 year old father. He's a world traveller, still gets around pretty well, and Venice is his favorite city, but he's not been for quite a while.

We're staying at the Londra Palace, which we like for its location/ staff very nice last time we were there, in 2005.

Thinking of booking a tour , by water, w private boat and guide to go around Venice, Murano. Less walking and I think Dad and my husband would enjoy visit to glass factory. Have I.C.Bellagio in mind.
Are the other islands worth visiting? I was thinking of just going around Venice, instead of taking a gondola.
How is Busa alla Torre for lunch?Any other suggestions for meals? I am about to get out my old list, and start making reservations.
Thanks

Check out CruiseCritic.com and the Ports of Call Forums. Lots of advice and information on Venice, since it's a popular cruise stop. Just because you are not cruising doesn't mean you can't ask questions!

Venice with Dad
 

How wonderful that you are going to be able to take such a trip with your Dad.
I comment because you mention a visit to a glass factory. As you know, Venice can be the most unique place, or a tourist trap. If you haven't already, I'd recommend Berendt's book, "City of Fallen Angels." He wrote "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." It was on the NYT's best seller list, and was a true story about a recent event in Charleston, SC.

Angels is his similar take about the inside scoop of a recent event, and his stay there for a year to get an understanding of the true inner workings of the city. The sentinel event was the arson of the Fenice. The book tells the story from the perspective of one of Venice's greatest
glass artists located on Murano, his name is Seguso.

The book in paperback will explain the art and history. My reading of the book, and retelling it to my kids put life into their exploration of Murano glass. I recommend reading the book. When you get off the boat in
Murano, instead of going right with the crowds, go left about 150 yards, and visit the Seguso factory. These are works of art, not trinkets.

None of the factories are blowing glass all the time. You may need to call to
see an actual demonstration.

Sorry for rambling, but I believe that any visit to Venice is enhanced by Berendts book. Great reading on the plane on the way over.

Have a great trip with your Dad.

You can choose an islands excusrion by boat of the Lagoon (Murano Island, Torcello Island and Burano) for only 20 Euro per person.

http://www.planningvenice.com/venice...o-torcello.htm

Otherwise a guided visit of the Dog'es Palace and the Basilica.

http://www.planningvenice.com/venice...enice-tour.htm

Have a nice trip
Frank

If you take a boat trip to the outer islands, I highly recommend Burano (as opposed to Murano, which is much better known because of the glass works).

Private Boat tour recommendations?
 

Headed to Venice with my elderly mother and want a private boat tour. done it before and it can be spectacular. Wondering if anyone has a boat operator contact. I have one and am getting a price of 100euro per hr for 6 hr min. I have seen many tour websites and my goal of a canal tour and trip to Burano for lunch can be done with public transport but is a whole different experience...and a lot of work with an older person.

While expensive at 600euro, private is a luxury...just wondering if others have had any luck procuring a private boat.

Thank you.

For the most part, "private boats" (e.g., someone owns a boat and takes you somewhere) are not allowed to travel in Venice proper (Sundays, some holidays, etc.. are exceptions), so the only legal boat option that takes you off the vaporetto is the water taxi. 600EU/6 hrs actually represents something of a discount. It takes roughly 25 minutes to get from the airport to central Venice, and that is a set price of 100/110EU (depending on final destination). So conservatively, a driver could make the trip back/forth to the airport, 6 times in the span of 6 hours (although I know some who do it more often).

A one way trip along the Grand Canal is set at c. 50/55EU, to from Burano c. 100/110 EU/each way. Those are "set" prices and there is no guide included. The taxi won't wait for you at Burano, but its easy to call and get one to pick you up. If you want/need a guide and want/need the transportation waiting at your beck & call, then the 6 hour minimum is probably the best option.

If I were to do the latter, I would contact the Water taxi bureau directly for rates/etc... rather than going through a broker who is simply going to do the booking for you and then add on a fee for doing this.