Venice - We hate you.
Trip Start
May 16, 2006
1
15
33
Trip End
Jun 13, 2006
Venice,
Italy
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
After I wake up decidedly sick in Verona, we caught the train to Venice. From almost the moment we exited the train station in Venice, we hated it. It had all the alleys of Rome and Genoa, but none of the charm. Instead, it smelled of sewage, and had no recognizable method of bridging the rivers, so any trip took twice as long as it should have to detour and find a bridge (I even had the "official" map.) This could have been okay, though, except every single part we were walking through had more than a faint resemblance to a slum, probably due to the moisture rotting the buildings. I'm disoriented and cranky, but still barely alert enough to navigate us through the mess to San Polo square, the most disappointing square I have ever seen in my life. It was mostly empty, with a bit of garbage. We find our "hotel," to be greeted by someone we would later refer to as our slumlord. The ceilings have huge patches of mold on them, the windows open onto a peculiar smelling courtyard area in the middle, and the internet and kitchen facilities are evidently not available to customers. It is also the second most expensive place we've stayed at, though it rivals the worst place we ever stayed in Mexico.
I nap fitfully for awhile, while Sarah looks around and gets me some tissue and drugs, and both of us some pizza. The pizza turned out to be quite inedible, so I went with her to find food. We look and look, but the vast majority of Venice, on both sides of the Rialto Bridge, looks like a slum but is priced like Disneyland. Finally, we find a McDonald's. This would be pathetic anywhere else, but we're desperate. The man at the counter pretty much refuses to serve me for several minutes, and a man keeps wandering in from the street deriding McDonald's and America. The counter people are friendlier to him than to me.
Back to the hotel, where we pay, explain we're leaving the next day (one day in Venice is too much), and turn in. There was absolutely nothing to stay awake for, and by this time, we were using "Venice" as a curse. We are completely confused as to why people would go here as a romatic destination, unless the point is to pay so much attention to your partner you completely miss the sewage and rot.
While lying awake in bed, sniffling and not sleeping, I realized I could hear water dumping into the courtyard every time I heard a toilet flush. Well, that would explain the peculiar smell.
My advice for Venice - don't go.
ETA: Pictures are up. A few more at Flickr. Do not be fooled - the pictures are okay because we didn't spend that much time taking pictures of the filth.
Comments
You're add about Venice - Interesting
I found what you put most interesting! I have been doing a brochure on Venice inmy I.T class; finding lots of information of how beautiful it is - clearly this information is a plain deception in order to attract tourism.
Very interesting, thanks for making me smile anyway
xx
Ha!
In all fairness, I know someone who visited the same summer who loved it. And the San Marco square area and touristy bits are pretty, but I stand firm on my 'never taking a vacation there again' policy.
Venice is a stinking cesspool
I thought I was the only one who disliked Venice! Everyone seems to inexplicably love it! It mystifies me why it's considered a romantic city - it's a rather disgusting place actually! In my opinion, the only thing worth seeing is St. Mark's Cathedral, which really is splendid. It's a pity it is where it is - in a stinking cesspool. One delightful aspect of Venice you didn't mention were the plentiful pickpockets. They were out in droves and it was awful. Ok, I'm going to sum up Venice in a few words: stinky, moldy, streets crowded with drunken revelers wearing masks, pickpockets, everything is overpriced. It's a very weird and scary place. I suggest, if you must go, wear a money belt, go off season, get in to see St. Marks and then get back out as quickly as you can - it's just not worth your time. The rest of Italy has so much more to offer.
VENICE SUCKS VENICE ITALY SUCKS
After having visited both Rome and Florence....loved Florence- I could not wait to get to Venice...
What a hell hole-
If someone thinks that this is beauty- they need to travel more....
Squares littered with garbage- sewage smell- crowded
Rude- i mean rude people- I was even speaking Italian the best that i could- these idiots have restaurants that are almost empty and they act like they are introducing you to Jesus Christ if you step into their empty restaurant-
Service was horrible
loved the Guggnheim museum-
If you want to go to Murano- bring a stun gun- the sales pitch is so damn pushy
I hated Venice- it is sinking? Good- I would not want my great great grandchildren to have to endure this place
The Rialto Bridge? Romantic...if you can find a gondalier without a cigarette in his mouth or talking on a cell phone...no kidding -the bridge is crowded and not spetacular- St. Marks square-
Well, don't feed the pidgeons.....the security detail will threaten to fine you 50 Euro- meanwhile they ignore the pickpockets, muggers and the pushy guys from Africa who try to sell a purse....on the street...
St Marks square has the Basilica- which- i am sorry- is the ugliest damn church that I have ever- i mean ever seen- Why God has not destroyed it is beyond me- St. Mark is apparently buried there-
Poor bastard...
You can enjoy the tower- a bell tower - or get ripped off by one of the cafe's in the square that have horrible service...
Can't wait until they hit a recession and are dying for tourists...
certainly overrated
venice is a tricky one - undeniably beautiful but hard to avoid tackiness and tourist traps...
on http://www.pollthepeople.com/content.php?type=news&cid=23 there's a poll for the most overrated tourist destination... i loved venice, and think some people miss the point... yet i have to say that my vote would go to venice
Venice does indeed suck
I agree completely. We had the misfortune of staying in Venice for 3 nights in November 2008. Once you get past the 'gee, a city built on canals - fancy that!' there didn't seem to be much else except market stalls and f***ing gondolas (with apologies to the Pythons :) The whole place is so drab, mouldy and run-down. We were also a bit shocked at how unfriendly and grumpy everybody seemed, although I suppose they are just sick to death of tourists. They all seemed like they wished they were elsewhere, and frankly we felt the same. I guess after we'd been to the beautiful and welcoming cities of Paris, Madrid, Vienna, and Florence, the jaded Venetians and their damp and dowdy city just came as a bit of a letdown.
thanks for Venice opinions
we have bad mold allergies and limited time to enjoy Italy for only the second time ever.....we missed Venice the first time, but I keep thinking 'canals, ancient....mold???' Now you all have helped us decide. we will watch a video on Venice and spent the rest of our limited time in other regions.