I posted this on anotheer travel board, but haven't generated any response. Maybe someone here knows...

I've been to Venice many times in the past, but never on April 25th, St. Mark's Day/Liberation Day. Has anyone been there during this holiday? I am curious about what we can expect will be closed for the double holiday. I've looked through my guidebooks and see nothing specific about celebrations except for the "festa del boccolo" where men give out roses to the women in their lives.

An added note, we're leaving on May 1st. Since it's Labour Day, can we expect that the vaporetti and local bus service at Piazza le Roma will not be operating?

Thanks for any assistance!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim,

Krix - so glad you've posted this question, as we were wondering ourselves about St Marks/Liberation Day 25 April. We are going to the aiport mid-morning to meet a friend flying in from US and would like to know if vaporettos operate on a reduced schedule.

See you in Venice

If you use the find button and do a search on Liberation Day, you'll come up with some discussions from previous years. Hope that helps.

Kim - thanks so much for pointing me in the right direction - heading there now!

This will be the first time in 8 years that we are not in Italy on 25 April. This is a very popular holdiay for hikers, picnicker,s and any outdoor attraction as the weather is usually gorgeous. Expect placesto be very crowded with both visitors and italians enjoying a holiday.
In Venice San Marco takes precedence over Liberation Day. It is a tradition for me to give women they love a red rose. in the morning you will see men of all ages carrying cellophane wrapped roses; as the day goes on you begin seeing women carrying the roses with which they have been presented. Last year the electric company (I think) was passing out red roses to passers by in Campo San Polo. I was very happy to be given one but I noticed many women refused them; I am not sure why.
We try to stay away from the tourist areas like San Marco and the Rialto and plan something quiet for the day.
In 2000, we were on a river boat cruise and that day we were in Mantova. It was a beautiful day but the streets were so packed it was difficult to walk. At night there was supposed to be a singer on the boat for entertaiment but we were told he had celebrated Liberation Day too vigorously and was unable to perform. The Captain filled in with a concert on his harmonica.
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