***HELPFUL TIPS FOR CHILDREN

There aren't too many places specifically designed for children in mind in the city, but if your little ones are itching to play, then try taking them to the park at Giardini. Here they can play on swings, slides, etc...with other children too and burn all that energy they never seem to lose. Another option is in the squares Campo Stefano and Campo Santa Maria Formosa where you will find the churches have set out toys and things for children to play with next to the church. They are left out all during the day and it is free! There are not too many places to sit if you need to feed your little ones, but there are the lovely Royal Gardens, located on the Riva/waterfront next to San Marco Square. It is the only place where you will find trees and benches to rest your weary feet. A hidden gem! As far as restaurants are concerned, very rarely do they offer high chairs or booster seats. However, there are 2 Mc Donalds and a Burger King/Pizzico (Pizza) if you just cannot get them to eat pasta!! And don't forget there is always San Marco Square with it's endless pigeons to feed. The kids will have a blast and don't forget your camera!!! If you are willing to venture on over to the Lido, you will find bikes to rent and the beach! There is a public beach for everyone or you can rent umbrellas and chairs at one of the private beaches for the day. 'Zona A' beach is great for kids with activities just for children. You will also find a lovely park right across the street where the local children play daily.

WEATHER

Venice, being by the sea, rarely suffers from frost in winter, but summers in the city can be unbearably humid. In spring the weather is often crisp and clear and the temperatures pleasant. The mountains and sea combine to give Venice and the Veneto higher rainfall than is normal in the rest of Italy. The first half of winter sees heavy rainfall, with flooding most likely in November and December. The driest months are February and July. Midsummer is the worst time of year to be in Venice ' average daytime temperatures hover around 27' C/90' but can go higher. December and January are the coldest months, with average temperatures hovering between 0'C and 7'C/36-45F, and often clear skies. Because of the city's position on the lagoon, snow is a rarity.

Acqua Alta, the famous phenomenon that takes place in Venice usually occurs between Nov-Apr. with San Marco Square being the most heavily affected area. The floods usually only last a few hours, but you will most likely want to have a pair of Wellington boots to stay dry. Raised walkways are set up in S. Mark's Square and other major tourist areas affected so that you can still get around the city. A series of alarms throughout the city will be heard several hours before the impending floods arrive. These sirens are becoming a common occurrence of the Venetian winter due to global warming.

WHAT TO WEAR

It i s recommended for all tourists to wear comfortable shoes, suitable attire in particular for entrance to churches, i.e., shoulders and legs covered. No large rucksacks and bags are allowed inside the Basilica.

Since Venice has so many bridges and stone streets, don't bring your high heels for daily walking, bring your most comfortable shoes and maybe even some bandaids/plasters too! Believe us. Please try not to wear big backpacks in stores. Many shops are very small and carry breakable items and the shop owners can get annoyed. Remember the Summers are HOT and the Winters are COLD, so keep this also in mind when packing.

TIPPING

You are not expected to tip on top of restaurant service charges, but it is common to leave a small amount, say Euro 1 per person. If there is no service charge, you might consider leaving a 10% tip, but this is by no means obligatory. In bars, Italians often leave any small change as a tip, often only 5c or 10c. Tipping taxi drivers is not common practice, but you should tip the porter at higher-class hotels.

BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETS

Venice is uneventful by night and you can stroll through the streets without any threat. There is no red light quarter or any area that could be described as unsavory. Street crime is relatively unusual but by no means lacking. Pickpockets pray on tourists in crowded places, notably S. Mark's Square, crowded bridges and on waterbuses.

PER FAVORE & GRAZIE!

Although you will find that most people in Venice speak some bit of English, don't assume everyone does. Learn a few key phrases before you go to Venice, You will find that locals appreciate travelers trying their language, no matter how muddled you may think you sound. So don't just stand there, say something!

• Hello - Buongiorno
• Goodbye - Arrivederci
• Please - Per favore
• Thank you - Grazie
• You're welcome - Prego
• Yes/No - Si/No
• Excuse me - Scusi
• I'd like to... - Vorrei
• I don't understand - Non capisco
• How much does it cost? -Quanto costa?
• Postcard - Cartolina
• Stamp -Francobollo
• What time does the Vaporetto leave? - A che ora parte il vaporetto?
• Ticket - Biglietto

USEFUL INFORMATION

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS & EVENTS

Venice has many public holidays!! You may well know about Carnival, but did you know about Redentore or even Festa della Salute?!

You may find that while you are here one of these holidays with it's unique festivities is taking place. You may even want to schedule our vacation so as to take advantage of experiencing something different.

• CARNEVALE - February (10 days before beginning of Lent).
  This is probably one of the biggest event that takes place in Venice. The city claims to be the originator of Carnival and it maintains the old world traditions of lore. Witness the Flight of the Angel, the costumes, the masks, the music, the parade, the food, etc... Come for the FUN!

 

 

 




 

• ST. MARK'S DAY ' April 25
  The day that celebrates the Patron Saint of Venice. Along with gondola races in the lagoon, men will give their wives, mothers and girlfriends a red rose.


• REDENTORE ' 3RD Saturday of July
  For Americans this is like The 4th of July of Venice! And for Brits this will remind you of Bonfire night!! This day celebrates the ending of the Plague and is a must see event. Venetians claim their place along the waterfront to set up their chairs and tables picnic style and eat and drink all day long waiting for the evening to come. Hundreds of boats of all sizes enter the lagoon partying and anxiously awaiting the fireworks display of the night above the city of Venice.

• BIENNALE ' June-September
  Odd number years host the World's biggest Contemporary Art Exhibition in the Giardini of Venice and all over the city. Even number years host the World's largest Architecture exhibition. Artists and Architects and lovers of the two come from all over the world to participate in this event already in it's 52nd year.


• MOSTRA DEL CINEMA - Septembe
  The Venice International Film Festival, Italy's version of Cannes, is held annually at the Palazzo del Cinema on the Lido. The festival attracts an array of movie stars and paparazzi to the Lido. You might just see George Clooney in a taxi boat or Antonio Banderas shopping in a store, you never know!


• REGATA STORICA - 1ST Sunday of September
  This historic series of rowing races along the Grand Canal is preceded by a multifarious parade of boats, many decorated in 15th century style and powered by crews in period costume. Venetians first organized a rowing race in 1274 and have been doing it ever since. Do not miss this beautiful show, where gondoliers and other boatsmen compete in a stunning regatta down Venice's majestic 'highway'.


• FESTA DELLA MADONNA DELLA SALUTE ' 21ST November
  This procession over a pontoon bridge accross the Grand Canal to the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Salute is to give thanks for the city's deliverance from the plague in 1630. Venetians light candles in the church to give thanks for a year of good health.

TAX-BACK REFUND

The Italian VAT, called IVA, is slapped onto just about everything in Italy of up to 20%. Tourists who are residents outside the EU may claim a refund on this tax if they spend Euro 155,00 or more in the same shop on the same day. The refund applies only to items purchased at retail outlets affiliated with the system 'these shops display a 'Tax-Free for Tourists' sign.

You must fill out a form at the point of purchase and have it stamped and checked by Italian customs when you leave the country (you will need to show the receipt and your purchases), so be sure not to pack them away and check them through before you get your refund.. At major airports and some border crossings you can then get an immediate cash refund at specially marked booths, alternatively, return the form by mail to the vendor who will make the refund either by cheque or to your credit card.

Behind San Marco Square, below the Correr Museum and in front of the Post office, you will find a tax-back office that you can visit for further information and assistance for your refund.

MONEY EXCHANGE/BANKING

The Euro has been the currency in Italy since 2002. The euro notes come in denominations of Euro 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5, in different colours and size. Euro coins are in denominations of Euro 2 and 1, 50 c, 20 c, 10 c, 5 c, 2 c and 1c. Each participating state decorates the reverse side of the coins with it's own designs, but all Euro coins can be used anywhere that accepts Euros.

You can exchange money in banks, at post offices or in currency-exchange booths and sometimes even your hotel can exchange money. The post office and banks are reliable. You'll find most of the main banks in the area around Rialto and S. Mark. Keep a sharp eye on commissions at Bureaux de Change which sometimes exceed 10% on traveller's cheques. Major cards such as Visa, MasterCard, Maestro and Cirrus are accepted throughout Italy. They can be used in many hotels, restaurants and shops.

Banks are usually open between 8.30 am and 1.30 pm, Monday to Friday. Most also open for an hour in the afternoon from about 2.35 pm until 3.35 pm. They close weekends and for public holidays, and they also close early the day before a major holiday. Most banks have cash machines/ATM's that are open 24 hrs in front of their offices and are multi-lingual friendly.

A recommended website for current exchange rates is: www.Oanda.com

PHARMACIES AND HOSPITALS

ost pharmacies in Venice are open 9.00 am to 12.30 pm and 3.30 pm to 7.30 pm. They are closed on Saturday afternoon and Sunday. When closed, pharmacies are required to display a list of other pharmacies in the area that are open (on rotation) for extended hours. You must go to the pharmacy for anything from aspirin, bandaids 'cerotti', creams, contact lens supplies to basic over the counter medicines and prescription drugs.

Visitors from the EU are entitled to reciprocal state medical care in Italy. Before you travel, pick up form E111 from the post office which covers you for emergency medical treatment. Visitors from outside the EU should take out a comprehensive insurance policy covering emergency medical treatment.

If you are in need of urgent medical attention, go to the Pronto Soccorso (First Aid) department of the Ospedale Civile. Should you require a consultation with a doctor, ask the advice of your hotel or look in the yellow pages of the telephone directory under medici.

Emergency numbers:
Carabinieri 112
Police 113
Fire 115
Ambulance 118
International operator 170