Our final thoughts on Venice

Here are some thoughts I have about our time in Venice in no particular order

• it is a beautiful city, with stunning views around each corner
• a lot of history and sites to see
• cultural activies abound and can fill your day/evening
• easy to get around by vaporetto or walking but it will be crowded
• food/drink is hit or miss, you can get really bad and REALLY good.  Stay away from the touristy spots and seek out the small Family Run places for the "true" Italian experience
• don't book a room on the ground level as it can be damp feeling
• pack lightly as maneuvering that bag through Venice can be difficult
• you need layers, it can be cool in the evenings/mornings and then hot in the afternoon
• beware of pick pockets - note they don't always look like thieves but more like well off locals
• be prepared for long queues and crowds at major sites, book tickets in advance if you can
• locals don't seem to really like the tourists but if you engage with them they are very helpful
• prices for everything here is high - but great tip is buy your produce/food at the market stalls for freshness and best prices
• Italians don't mess around, if you are at a counter waiting to order and you don't speak up they will serve the next person.  If there is a crowded spot note you probably will end up with someone invading your space, it is just how it is, but something we are not use to. Be forceful even if it is not your nature.
• try to speak some Italian even if you do it poorly
• ask for recommendations when ordering, the waiter knows what is fresh.  When I tried a spritz and they asked me which kind I said "which one is your favorite" and ordered that
• Gondola rides are great, but note only tourists use them. They are expensive and you feel like you are on a ride on a conveyor belt.  Be prepared for traffic jams of gondolas with tourists snapping selfies. But hey, it is still romantic and it is still Venice (or maybe Vegas).
• Get lost, some of our best times here have been when we have just wandered.  We come to an intersection of narrow streets and look and think hmm that looks interesting and go there.
• Often it was hard to look past all the garbage in the streets and floating in the canal, and the smell of urine. Don't recall this on our prior trip here so not sure what was up.
• Venetians love their dogs and many have them and take them everywhere, including the buses, valparettos, restaurants and even grocery stores.  It is cute, but sadly many (like at home) don't pick up after them so watch your footing.
• Smile and chat up the locals when you can, even with our broken minimal Italian it was fun, although probably annoying to them.

In the end Venice is a must see place.  I can now say I have been here twice and I am fine with that and don't really care if I come back.  It feels sort of fake to me now.  Kind of like Disneyland.  A place you have to go and see, but it is pricey and exhausting and not real (unless you venture away from the major sites).

I know I may get back lash but I know I prefer smaller towns that are quieter and not so crowded with tourists.  

The key to travel is to do what is right for you!