I will counter your friend's recommendation, and advise that you stay anywhere but San Marco. Why?
• fewer places to eat decently, all are more expensive • it's the most touristy are of the city, little normal life • it is the most crowded area of the city, overrun by masses that descend from cruise ships (not bad people, just thousands of them, all heading one place, and one place only: the Piazza. ) • San Marco is to see, and to visit, and is easily accessible from 80% of the city, on foot or by vap.
I think you'll find any other area of the city more pleasant...maybe some other travelers can offer their opinions?
Thank you for the replies, we have never been to Europe and are just relying on others advice. We have just added Venice and Rome to our trip (cancelled flights meant we rebooked with another airline, so decided to make the most of the extra airfares by seeing more of Italy) so require the accommodation for 27-30 April 2012. Unfortunately I am clueless and finding it hard to know where to stay that we can see the most of the attractions in 3 days without too much travelling or extra expense. With 6 of us, I think hotels are too expensive and would love to stay in a clean & comfortable apartment (would love a a view of the canal or water, but I know we don't have a large budget). I would be greatful for your recommodations. I was hoping to keep it within 200Euro a night. Much appreciated.
Posts: 8 | Location: Australia | Registered: 08 February 2012
Venice is very compact. Everywhere is quite walkable. You do not need to be in San Marco to be central. Venice public transport by vaporetto is very covenietn as well as very pleasant. Venice is very user-friendly. It is easy to get lost, but even getting lost in Venice is a great fun experience.
The biggest problem with this planning are: - most rentals are for 5 days or longer; - short-term rentals exist but are much more limited in number and are usually more expensive. Is it possible for you to be more flexible with your 200 euro/night budge? - unlike hotel booking, rental booking - at least for the desirable rentals - requires booking much longer in advance. Think about it like a hotel with only one room. If that room is rented, for that whole day, the hotel is full. Booking a hotel room today for April in Venice is already none too early. Are you two families of 3? If you can't find a rental, would two b&b rooms not be acceptable?
Yes it is very short notice in a busier season, I realise (we did booked our Rome and Paris accommodation 6mths ago). We are actually a family of 4, plus our 2 mothers (in their 60's, but fit and healthy). We were hoping to keep it to around that budget, due to the extra cost in our new replacement airfares and the extra time and added locations (Venice and Florence). There are so many apartments to go through and I've spent a week looking through forums and HomeAway & VRBO. The more I look, the more confused I get. Sleep in Italy sent me a list, which is where I picked the top 3 I listed in the 1st post, however I was only really looking for apartments close to St Mark's. I did go through the rental reviews, but really don't know where I should be looking for?
This is the list of availables in our budget sleep in italy emailed:
A couple of things to be aware of in Italy are: European 1st floor is US 2nd floor. Don't know if that is true in Australia or not, but important if climbing multiple floors at the end of a walking day is a problem for children or your mothers.
Two bathroom would be a huge plus. Many apartments in Venice have loft bedrooms with low ceilings, probably would not work well for your husband, or for privacy if that is an issue.
Venice is not a large city and as other have said, San Marco is easily reached without staying there. Walking in Venice is very enjoyable.
Sleep in Italy is so easy to work with, I hope you have communicated your concerns and wishes to them, they should be able to narrow the list for you and give you excellent advice.
I know you will have a wonderful trip, wish we were returning this spring, but will have to wait until fall this year.
thanks, I might email them back and ask their opinion for our requirments (although 1 of the apartments sent through says not suitable for under 12yo's). I've just read some horror stories and scams, thought it may be safer to go through sleep in italy, or an agent (although we are renting directly in Rome). Appreciate the advice.
Posts: 8 | Location: Australia | Registered: 08 February 2012
I am planning a first trip to Venice and had sights on the Dorsoduro or possibly the San Marco section of Venice, but after reading and listening, and finding what looks like a perfect place for us, have decided on Cannaregio. A few months ago I would have dismissed this location as to far removed. Not anymore.
Posts: 157 | Location: San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: 03 June 2010
I found Shannon's article on the Venice sestiere very helpful. You can find it here, but you may want to look more generally in the main Slow Travel site under Italy/Travel Resources.
Posts: 471 | Location: Fairfax, VA | Registered: 30 June 2005
When describing what floor things are on - Australia tends to use the European system. So ground level is 'ground floor', then '1st floor' is one level up (not ground floor!) etc etc.
When booking apartments in Europe however - I always double check by asking specifically how many steps there are up to the apartment. Better sure - particularly if steps are an issue.
Posts: 415 | Location: Port Fairy, Victoria, Australia | Registered: 08 May 2003
One more vote for not staying in San Marco. ALmost any other sestiere would be preferable for our family. Although we are partial to Dorsoduro and San Polo, many love and find good deals in Cannaregio. ruth
I highly recommend not staying in San Marco. We really love staying in Canneregio and also Castello is really worth looking into. They are both easy walking (10-20 minutes) to San Marco and there are great neighborhood places to eat. BJinNM
There are some parts of San Marco that I like to stay in from time to time... I love Campo Sant' Angelo, and I am staying there when I go in April. So, edtravelbug, if you choose that VRBO listing (which I assume is near Sant' Angelo) we will be neighbors, as I will be in Venice at the same time as you.
The only bad thing about staying in that part of San Marco (for me, anyway) is that I need to trek a little further for groceries. But, any excuse to go to the Rialto is a good excuse indeed.
Hi Shannon, yes it is near there. This is the location http://maps.yahoo.com/#q=San+M...&zoom=16&mvt=m&trf=0 The owner has apparently only had it for 2months and only 1 family from Malaysia has stayed there as yet. I did get a copy of the VRBO review just received (to be loaded to the site) and it was good (other than walking steps with luggage, 2nd floor, no lift). The reason I like it is it has 6 actual beds (not 4 and sofa), however the 1 bathroom is a negative (but what can 1 expect for the price and it is only for 3 days). By google maps it's not much of a view (Hotel San Giorgio, Rio Tera' De la Mandola, is the closest go to spot I can find, here in Australia we can 360 degree pan google maps on almost every address), but again, we can't have champagne on a beer budget.
Posts: 8 | Location: Australia | Registered: 08 February 2012
I think that apartment looks really nice.. I also saw there were no reviews. In these cases I usually google the person/phone number or what have you... but it sounds like you are on it.
Having said that, other neighborhoods are great (I usually stay in Cannaregio for instance, and Dorsoduro is a favorite of many on the forum.)
Originally posted by Shannon: I also saw there were no reviews. In these cases I usually google the person/phone number or what have you... but it sounds like you are on it.
There is no owner's name on the listing (only a phone number) and nothing comes up on a google search of that ph no, or the name on the emails ??? Ok location and good pricing, however not too much info, or am I just being too sceptical?
Posts: 8 | Location: Australia | Registered: 08 February 2012
Doesn't hurt to be skeptical. It looks OK to me, unless they are asking for all the money to be western unioned to some random location. If they just want a small deposit I would not worry too much.
But you have lots of options here, if that one is not going to work.
I just stayed here for a week. The apartment was fantastic. Haven't had time to do a review yet, but it had 3 bedrooms (2 with queen beds; one with twin beds) and 1 bathroom; very nice size living room. Great location; not far from Campo San Barnaba, no bridges from the Ca'Rezzonico vaparetto stop...very nice with luggage! San Basilio stop is close as well.
Owner very responsive when issues (way beyond his control) came up. I'd recommend this place to anyone.
anne
Posts: 704 | Location: Louisiana | Registered: 02 May 2005
Thanks Anneo, unfortunately that apartment isn't available for the end of April. Being so soon in the busier season has limited our choices. I would've loved a canal view and was considering paying the extra for one from sleep in italy site (would have if it had 2 bathrooms), but have decided with the money we save staying in the cheaper accommodation, we can actually take a ride down the canals instead . Don't intend to spend much time in the apartment, so think having the 6 beds will probably be a good idea (instead of 4 and a sofa). I think I just need to make the decision and get onto the itinerary part, as I'm getting no where searching 6hrs a day at different appartments. Just going to email the casantangelo owner and see if it's still available, if not we'll have to spend the extra. Thanks everyone for your help. Next I move onto the planning and the Florence accommodation
Posts: 8 | Location: Australia | Registered: 08 February 2012
Did you check local Venice agencies viewsonvenice.com and luxrest-venice.com? They normally have a good selection of larger apartments, although the 3-night stay might limit your choices.
I would ask specific questions about noise levels for any apartments on a main drag and near markets.
)
