Like last year with the Camaro, this year I went to Italy by car. Besides Lake Garda, Venice and Verona were other destinations, about which I would like to report in a post.
Posts about Malcesine and Limone on Lake Garda can already be found in my block.
Directions & Parking
Those who arrive by car can not avoid the question of parking, because vehicles are not allowed on the island. At least road vehicles, because roads on which you could drive a car do not exist.
One has different possibilities to park his vehicle. Which one to use depends mainly on your wallet, convenience and the duration / time you want to spend in the lagoon city. The cheapest alternative would be Green Park, here the parking costs €6,-/24h. Disadvantage, you still have to take the bus to the ferries and then the ferry or water bus to the respective destination. However, one is still very far away from the actual destination, also in terms of time. Advance reservation is requested. Tronchetto is the golden road. One is already over the big bridge, thus saves the bus and can directly get on the ferries or water buses. The pitch here cost €22,-/24h A reservation here is not required. If you want to have it even more comfortable and price-intensive, the garage San Marco for €48, -/24h welcomes you.
Vaporetto (Wasserbusse)
In Venice itself, many means of transport vie for the favor of the passenger. Those who want to get around with luggage and in the cheapest way take the water buses (vaporetti).
. Although they stop every 50 meters alternately right and left on the Grand Canal, but it is definitely not cheaper for you.
Prices
A single ride costs 7.50 euros per peson and per ride. The duration of the ride must NOT exceed 75 minutes. One suitcase is included in the price. If you are staying longer in Venice, it may be worthwhile to purchase a multi-day ticket.
A 24 hours ticket costs 21,00 Euro
A 2 day ticket costs 30,00 Euro
A 3 day ticket costs 40,00 Euro
A 7 day ticket costs 60,00 Euro The 24 hours ticket is valid from March 2022 incl. the Italian railroad Trenitalia
(but only in the urban area of Venice) For all multi-day tickets applies:
The validity begins with the validation of the first trip.
Water cab
Unlike public transportation (vaporetti), which stops only in a few places, a water cab will take you right to your hotel. Reliable, fast, comfortable and safe.
However, this service also has its price. So if you are in a hurry and money is not a primary concern, the water cab is the right choice. It will take you to your hotel, while the water buses have only fixed stops.
Prices
Under 130 euros per trip and water cab goes nothing at all. There are also no fixed prices. You can pay 130 or 195 euros for the same route. Oversized hand luggage also costs extra. If your hand luggage is oversized, only the captain decides spontaneously on the spot. If the trip to your hotel leads through one or more narrow channels, another 10 euros will be added. Likewise, 10 euros more will be due if your trip starts after 21:59 or before 07:00. That would be the night surcharge. So it’s worth negotiating the price in advance when booking a water cab.
Gondola
The gondolas are, of course, the most famous means of transport in Venice.
However, they are a purely tourist attraction and less suitable for mass transport. In this respect, I mention them here, but do not go further into them as a means of transport.
Prices
Who doesn’t dream of a romantic gondola ride on the Grand Canal in the moonlight, while the gondolier warbles an “Oh sole mio…” like a larch? The price of a gondola ride varies mainly depending on the duration of the trip, the departure point and the route you want to take. If you get on at St. Mark’s Square, directly on the Grand Canal, you will pay 100 euros for 20-30 minutes. If one runs something “inland” as away from the tourist center, one can get gondolas during the day already for 70-80 euros. In the evening in the moonlight it may then be everywhere still something more.
Venice Sights
All of Venice’s world-famous sights are actually located on or around St. Mark’s Square. Exceptions are the Rialto Bridge and the Scuola Grande di San Rocco.
Of course, Venice has much more to offer and especially in the small streets, away from the tourist hustle and bustle can be found one or the other gem.
But the things that everyone in the world would list as landmarks of Venice are very close together.
Around St. Mark’s Square, which is a sight in itself, are the Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Basilica, the St. Mark’s Tower, the Bridge of Sighs and the Clock Tower of St. Mark.
St. Mark's Square with St. Mark's Tower
The St. Mark's Tower is the bell tower of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice. Its height is 98.6 meters, making it the tallest building in the city. Originally, its spire served as a lighthouse for the ships.
St. Mark's Basilica
St. Mark's Basilica was the central state sanctuary of the Republic of Venice until its end in 1797 and since 1807 has been the cathedral of the Patriarch of Venice
Doge's Palace
The Doge's Palace Venice was the seat of the Doge and the organs of government and justice of the Republic of Venice since the 9th century
Rialto Bridge
The Rialto Bridge in Venice is one of the most famous structures of the city. The bridge crosses the Grand Canal and has a length of 48 m, a width of 22 m and a clearance of 7.50 m
Scuola Grande di
San Rocco
The Scuola Grande di San Rocco is the best preserved of the six great scuole (confraternities) of Venice. It is famous for its extensive and valuable furnishings of over 60 paintings from the 15th century.
Hotel & Gastronomy
Hotels in Venice are not in short supply. Almost every second house is a hotel. If you want to stay overnight in Venice, you should get an idea of the location of the hotel and the prices that are called. In principle, everything follows the same logic. The more attractive the location of the hotel, the higher the price for the night.
But also here it is necessary to weigh, a hotel for “nen schmalen Taler” one finds rather not. The cheap alternatives are far away and the way to the sights can take a little longer. As the crow flies times 4 is a good rule of thumb here. Our hotel “Casanova” was located one alley next to St. Mark’s Square. Thus extremely central and very well and quickly accessible from the vaporetto pier “St. Mark’s Square” (about 3min walk, with luggage). The price for a double room was 190 euros/night. The rooms were furnished in style. Luxury such as a coffee maker, however, you were looking in vain. If you now compare the price for the night with the prices of the restaurants and cafes around St. Mark’s Square, you feel this almost as a bargain. Even if we knew that the gastronomy at St. Mark’s Square has lavish prices, we did not miss the chance to enjoy this flair once. Cafe americano – €10.50
Strawberry sundae – €17,50
piece of cake – €14,50
etc. In addition, there are between 12 and 15% service charge for music, flowers on the table, tablecloth and great waiter in white uniform jacket. In the evening we chose a small restaurant “Le Cafe” a little further away from the center. Here there was delicious food and a very friendly service at normal prices.
Things to know
Why is it not allowed to sit in Venice?
To cope with the annual influx of visitors, there are more than 80 paragraphs that contain the rules of conduct for tourists.
Just look for a shady place and rest ? Wrong! It is forbidden to sit on the steps of monuments, St. Mark’s Square, bridges, porticoes or the pier.
A gelato on the hand and to the next attraction? No Eating while walking is also forbidden.
Walking slowly or lingering in narrow streets, even standing still in a small group? Forbidden!
Consumption of beverages outside the side areas of restaurants is also prohibited after 7pm.
Feeding pigeons or seagulls? Forbidden! There are fines for everything, and they average 250-350 euros. Of course, you do not always and immediately pay a fine, but the officials of the “Ordnungsamt” are everywhere.
Some photos