762 Venice

Hi
Just returned from 4 days in Venezia - wonderful! Stayed at a very good but well-priced hotel in San Croce the Antica Figure. It's on the Grande Canale, northern end.

The water buses are a fantastic way to get around and good value; a 22 euro ticket bought me 72 hours on unlimited travel including the islands.

Murano is hard work unless you like glass - a visit to the furnace is interesting and maybe a couple of shops but there are hundreds of them mostly all selling the same thing!

Burano was much nicer - quiet and very pretty. Interesting people there too who were happy to talk about their work (the women are skilled lace-makers).

Did have a coffee in Piazza San Marco but checked the price first and paid around £5 which I understand is pretty good for there. Exellent and good-value food if you avoid the tourist places - in the S Croce sestieri (disrict), best one I found was 'Ostaria al Vecio Pozzo' - the best tiramisu I've ever tasted and excellent, attentive service.

All in all, an good time and I'd like to go back in the autumn.

Cheers
Jules

Category
General chat about Italy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/09/2005 - 05:13

Hi Jules,
just to say that I and my husband are going back to Italy next week for 1 week's holiday. We stayed at Jesolo in May ( at the quieter end ), and took ourselves by boat and ferry across to Venice for a day. I agree with you that there is so much to do and see, I would like to see Burano, where they make the lace.
We have been to Venice now several times, and like you we go and find somewhere to eat off the beaten track so to speak.
I think Venice itself, is a magical place, which keeps drawing us back there time and time again. Also like you, we found the water buses good value.

People say that the area around Venice is an expensive area to live in. Does anyone know if surrounding areas like Treviso or Padova, Vicenza or Pordenone have reasonable property prices? Say in the region of 175.000 Euro's? We are not contemplating moving for a couple of years yet, but need to start putting out " feelers", and hopefully will be able to take more breaks to start viewing the surrounding areas.

Any other hints or tips Jules, would be greatly appreciated.
Kind regards
Frances

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/09/2005 - 05:47

hi Frances

this is such a general question/questions but im going to live in padova for a year this coming september. i wondered if you thought it was worth taking the car or not? i might drive there but not sure of the pits falls etc. i know its a stab in the dark, so to speak, but wondered if you (or anyone else) might be able to offer me some thoughts on the subject?

Louise

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/09/2005 - 05:49

People say that the area around Venice is an expensive area to live in. Does anyone know if surrounding areas like Treviso or Padova, Vicenza or Pordenone have reasonable property prices? Say in the region of 175.000 Euro's? We are not contemplating moving for a couple of years yet, but need to start putting out " feelers", and hopefully will be able to take more breaks to start viewing the surrounding areas.

Hi
Just an idea for starters - you could look at the newspapers from that region online (I'm not sure which ones, but someone on the board will know) and have a look for some info on local agencies/properties. Maybe get their e mail addresses and contact them. At least that way you might get an idea which areas are more expensive than others. When we came back we rented for a year and during that time looked around different areas - the difference in prices was incredible. Our local paper comes out once a week and has 2 or 3 pages dedicated to property. So it may be worth a try!
Good luck
Karen

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/09/2005 - 08:36

[QUOTE=barnsleychops]hi Frances

this is such a general question/questions but im going to live in padova for a year this coming september. i wondered if you thought it was worth taking the car or not? i might drive there but not sure of the pits falls etc. i know its a stab in the dark, so to speak, but wondered if you (or anyone else) might be able to offer me some thoughts on the subject?

Louise[/QUOTE]
Hi Louise,
thanks for the reply, but unfortunately as I do not drive, I cannot help you on that subject. Are you renting accomodation in Padova? If so, can you advise me just generally of prices for renting there? Many thanks. Hope you get a response to your first question soon.
Kind regards
Frances

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/09/2005 - 08:48

Hi Karen,
thank you for your reply. We were actually thinking of renting a place, so that we would have plenty of time to look around these areas.
Can I ask where you live? Also what the local papers are that you get?

While in Jesolo, we may even look at some of the prices of property around there as well, just to get an idea. I know that it is a very " touristy " area, but where we stayed was relatively quiet to the rest of Jesolo ( especially this time of year! ) Also the people are very friendly and seem genuinely pleased to meet you.

Kind regards
Frances

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/10/2005 - 13:23

hi!

sorry, but my accomodation comes with the job i'm taking- and its a good job as otherwise i think i'd be clueless! sorry i cant help!

lou

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/11/2005 - 03:12

Francesca, you can try looking at [url]www.tecnocasa.com/[/url]. This will give an idea what your money can buy....(not a lot in some areas!). We have been looking for about a year now wihout success (well, one house that fell through at the last minute....) GruppoTarget.com is another site but they do not publish pictures as with most estate agents in the area.
If ayone reading this knows of any other agents in the area, would love the info please....

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/11/2005 - 15:06

Dear Kae,
thank you for the info. I have looked at one of the sites and it does not appear to be in English. I am just starting to learn Italian, but cannot make much sense of it!
Hope that you find somewhere soon.
Kind regards
Frances

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/12/2005 - 02:31

[url]www.gruppotarget.com[/url] is in Italian and English... not many pictures tho...
Next time you visit, why not pick up the free property magazines outside every estate agent.... All in italain of course, but a great way to learn some more useful words.....

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/12/2005 - 02:47

[QUOTE=Francesca]Hi Jules,
just to say that I and my husband are going back to Italy next week for 1 week's holiday. We stayed at Jesolo in May ( at the quieter end ), and took ourselves by boat and ferry across to Venice for a day. I agree with you that there is so much to do and see, I would like to see Burano, where they make the lace.
We have been to Venice now several times, and like you we go and find somewhere to eat off the beaten track so to speak.
I think Venice itself, is a magical place, which keeps drawing us back there time and time again. Also like you, we found the water buses good value.

People say that the area around Venice is an expensive area to live in. Does anyone know if surrounding areas like Treviso or Padova, Vicenza or Pordenone have reasonable property prices? Say in the region of 175.000 Euro's? We are not contemplating moving for a couple of years yet, but need to start putting out " feelers", and hopefully will be able to take more breaks to start viewing the surrounding areas.

Any other hints or tips Jules, would be greatly appreciated.
Kind regards
Frances[/QUOTE]
Hi, the "greater venice area" between Vicenza-Padova-Treviso-Venice is the richest area of the country,the province of Vicenza the most industrialized consequently real estate will be quite expensive as the cost of living in general in those areas.yes tecnocasa would be your best bet for looking at prices and whats available in those areas.If you like the Venice kind of environment you might take a look in the vicinity of Chioggia which is a sort of normal venice without tourists and decidedly cheaper also south of venice in the area of Rovigo .colli Euganei are worth looking at too and all quite nearby.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/12/2005 - 06:28

Hi Kae,
thanks for the link, which I have just had a quick look at. This is a good site, as it does indeed give me an idea of some prices, though some are way out of our league!! Have put this site on my favourites list, so am gradually accumulating more information.
We shall definitely pick up some of the free accomodation papers, and shall no doubt have fun trying to decipher the contents, but a good way as you say to learn the language!
Looking forward to Friday!!
Arrivederci
Frances

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/12/2005 - 06:32

[QUOTE=Sebastiano]Hi, the "greater venice area" between Vicenza-Padova-Treviso-Venice is the richest area of the country,the province of Vicenza the most industrialized consequently real estate will be quite expensive as the cost of living in general in those areas.yes tecnocasa would be your best bet for looking at prices and whats available in those areas.If you like the Venice kind of environment you might take a look in the vicinity of Chioggia which is a sort of normal venice without tourists and decidedly cheaper also south of venice in the area of Rovigo .colli Euganei are worth looking at too and all quite nearby.[/QUOTE]

Hi Sebastiano,
thank you once again for the useful info. it is much appreciated. I do not know what I would do without the help of all you friendly people on this site.
Grazie
Frances

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/12/2005 - 20:44

Can anyone recommend accommodation in Venice for people in their 50's who have not been before? One uses a walking stick so few stairs desirable. They are looking through Alastair Sawdays 'Italy' book. Also, any advice on where to eat? I note the above comments about touristy places. I hear there is a good pizza place called 'Acqua Pazza'. Thank you.