Venice (1 Viewer)

[hugh]

Right ... I'm going there in two weeks for a few days. Who's been? What to do? What not to do? Where to do it? Etc.

 

[krystal]

Hugh - I recommend you theme your holiday around 'Don't Look Now' - you can be Donald Sutherland, the missis can be Theresa Russell and you can run around Venice after a child in a red hooded coat. Sure you'd love that now. Lovely and relaxing.

 

[hugh]

Ha!

Or Death In Venice ....er, maybe not

 

[dudley]

its a pretty pricey place, but utterly wonderful. make sure and bring some cash.
get the water bus over the gondolas as they are something in the region of 100 euro a go.
also, you will probably be corralled into getting an *official* water bus once you arrive. don't, they are scam pricey water taxis, ask a local for the nearest proper water bus stop to where you arrive.

overall best thing to do in venice is just wander and wander, you'll stumble on nice places to eat, etc


if you have time you should get a train to bologna for a night and i will point you in the direction of one of the most amazing restuarants of all time.

 

[It Will Never Last]

if you have time you should get a train to bologna for a night and i will point you in the direction of one of the most amazing restuarants of all time.

But if he points from here you could miss it by a couple of hundred miles. Best get directions.

 

[Theseus Mock]

Venice is amazing. Make sure to get the train to the station on one of the islands (don't take the long bridge). That way, you'll be even more astounded by the breath-taking view that'll face you. When i was there (c. 2 1/2 years ago), a 3 day water bus pass was about 18 euro i think). Deadly fun, sheer madness. Probably a good idea to get a bad map & just get to know where the big attractions are as you'll probably get lost a million times.

Get waterbus out to the cemetery island & that other one whose name evades me but has a beach (wonder what's the weather like?)

Also, hang by the riverside on the main route through the main islands & count how many people have videotaped you.

 

[Juno]

if you have time you should get a train to bologna for a night and i will point you in the direction of one of the most amazing restuarants of all time.

I'm going to Bologna in the summer. Which restaurant is this?

 

[dudley]

Osteria de' Coltelli da Biagio -

This place is not easy to find.
It's on the street of the same name, and there's little
else on the street. Ask the old guy standing around smoking a
cigarette where it is. He'll walk you the 10 feet and point at it incredulously. This place is run by two brothers from Calabria, so there are more pastas and a bit more spice than typical Bolognese fare. And licorice. This is the place that completely silenced us in awe or pleasure or something. It's really nice place. Lots of dark wood about. They were a bit suspicious at first, but they quickly warmed to us when we just let them bring us the specials of the night (including the stupidly allsome antipasti and a bottle of wine form Calabria). It's closed some mid-week night, like Wednesday.

 

[Juno]

Sounds good - thanks. Are there any other places in Bologna that we should go to/see?

 

[dudley]

here is some stuff (written by a pal)

Places to Stay

1. Centrale (Via della Zecca 2) - I've stayed here a couple of times.
The location is great, the rooms are clean and some
have nice views of the city. The staff is mostly nice with exception
of the grumpy father who doesn't speak English and
acted like he didn't understand Italian either --
http://www.emiliaromagna.info/bologna/hotel/centrale/

2. Hotel Paradise (Vicolo Cattani 7)
http://www.venere.com/templates/go.php?htid=9095&lg=en

3. Due Torri (Via degli Usberti 4)
http://www.hotelduetorri.net/

You might also like to check that Venere.com site for deals.




Things to eat in Bologna:

1. Tagliatelle Ragu'
2. Polpette - little meatballs with nutmeg
3. Mascarpone for dessert
4. Granite (not the pavement, don't eat that) at the Roxy Bar on Via
Rizzoli not far from the two towers
5. Gelato

Some of my favorites --

1. Trattoria Da Danio - I've been here more times than I've been to
the Chinese place down my
street. It's simple and consistent and they have a non-smoking room in
the back. Well, I guess
everything is non-smoking now in Italy. Maybe. Eat the
Tortelloni di Zucca (pumpkin).
Fresh, home-made pastas. Drink the house red which is Lambrusco (a bit
frizzante but quite nice), the
typical red wine of the region. Mascarpone here is very good.

2. Ristorante Serghei - This place is one little room about the size
of my living room, maybe. It's been
there forever, and it fills up fast. It's a good idea to go there for
lunch, or get there early for dinner. Or
make a reservation. It's been there for a long time and for good
reason -- it's pretty amazing. Everything
was great. It's closed on Saturday evenings and Sundays -- I learned
the hard way.


3. Pizzeria da Toto' - Molto buona pizza. It's Roman-style pizza.
Thin-crusted and mishappen. Also, the biggest pizza on this earth

4. Sorbetteria Castiglione (Via Castiglione 44) - milk gelato and
whatnot. very tasty.

5. Tamburini (via Caprarie, 1) Meats, cheeses, the
breads, prepared foods. Cafeteria-style but famously good.
Worth a walk-through, at least. You'll see some meats and
cheeses that you never knew existed (or at least, that I have
never knew existed -- and then you can make fun of me)

 

[therealjohnny]

Might seem a silly question, but do the locals speak English?

 

[GO]

I'm going there in two weeks Ill let ya know

 

[therealjohnny]

I'm going there in two weeks Ill let ya know

I'm going at the end of September. Leave a present for me somewhere and a treasure map


or don't

 

[Cornu Ammonis]

I’ve been twice and never had a problem regarding English - it’s a massive tourist spot so English is nearly universal (though not necessarily always fluent!).

 

[therealjohnny]

I’ve been twice and never had a problem regarding English - it’s a massive tourist spot so English is nearly universal (though not necessarily always fluent!).

I have a plan

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[magicbastarder]

huh, another couple i know are going to venice next month (the couple who got married there last september). seems everyone is heading there now.

our experience was that not all the locals have good english, but most do.

 

[therealjohnny]

I had misgivings about going as the city gets way too many visitors. But, on the other hand... I want a holiday.

 

[Cornu Ammonis]

I had misgivings about going as the city gets way too many visitors. But, on the other hand... I want a holiday.

I loved it there, if you’re staying for more than a day it really opens up as you can spend time walking through the north of the city. Especially at night when it’s quieter.

 

[Cornu Ammonis]

 

[therealjohnny]

making a playlist

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