Monday, November 13, 2006
10/2006: Venice Lido: 'worth a visit...'
If you’re in Venice for a few days, the Lido is worth a visit and is only a short and scenic water-bus ride across the lagoon. This sedate and genteel island only became a resort in the early 1900s when the extravagant Excelsior was built and billed as the world’s top resort hotel.
Although the Lido is no longer quite the chic place it once was, it still attracts plenty of celebrities during the Venice film festival and is brimming with discreet upmarket villas. Its main attraction is the beaches, which are lined with quaint beach huts but, the bad news, most of them are on private sections owned by the top hotels, who charge astronomical amounts for entry. There are two public beaches, one at the north, which is walkable from the centre and the other in the south, a bus ride away.
Cars are plentiful in the resort, but the most popular form of transport is the bicycle, which can be hired and is a pleasant way to see the (fortunately flat) island.
If you’re in Venice for a few days, the Lido is worth a visit and is only a short and scenic water-bus ride across the lagoon. This sedate and genteel island only became a resort in the early 1900s when the extravagant Excelsior was built and billed as the world’s top resort hotel. Although the Lido is no longer quite the chic place it once was, it still attracts plenty of celebrities during the Venice film festival and is brimming with discreet upmarket villas. Its main attraction is the beaches, which are lined with quaint beach huts but, the bad news, most of them are on private sections owned by the top hotels, who charge astronomical amounts for entry. There are two public beaches, one at the north, which is walkable from the centre and the other in the south, a bus ride away.
Cars are plentiful in the resort, but the most popular form of transport is the bicycle, which can be hired and is a pleasant way to see the (fortunately flat) island.
10/2006: Venice transport: 'water buses and taxis...'
Water buses called Vaporettos are Venice’s aquatic version of the underground, just as crowded and easy to use (once you get the hang of the clockwise, anti-clockwise thing) and although fairly frequent, they are quite slow and you might be quicker walking but the views and photo opportunities are first rate. Tickets are sold at the landing stages, in tourist offices and some small shops.
Water Taxis are very expensive. The rate is usually per minute on the clock and there are all sorts of extra charges, including a fixed rate at departure, a call-out charge, baggage charge, night service per minute, etc, etc. Try to negotiate a rate before you board.
Water buses called Vaporettos are Venice’s aquatic version of the underground, just as crowded and easy to use (once you get the hang of the clockwise, anti-clockwise thing) and although fairly frequent, they are quite slow and you might be quicker walking but the views and photo opportunities are first rate. Tickets are sold at the landing stages, in tourist offices and some small shops.Water Taxis are very expensive. The rate is usually per minute on the clock and there are all sorts of extra charges, including a fixed rate at departure, a call-out charge, baggage charge, night service per minute, etc, etc. Try to negotiate a rate before you board.
