***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.

• 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