theveniceneighbours.com

Local suggestions to live Venice at its best / for its best

Tag: survival

  • Safe and Secure: Unveiling the Hidden Safety of Venice

    Safe and Secure: Unveiling the Hidden Safety of Venice


    Venice, oh bella città! A haven of safety awaits you here, with no dodgy areas or forbidden blocks to fret about. However, do keep a watchful eye for those nimble-fingered pickpockers.

    Lost Wallets and Mysterious Disappearances: Unravel Filippo’s Cautionary Tale in Venice


    Let me share Filippo’s cautionary tale: Picture a serene waterbus ride, the boat half empty, when he hops on, absorbed in a phone conversation. As he prepares to disembark, a sinking feeling envelops him – his wallet is missing! Perplexed, he retraces his steps, but alas, no sign of his wallet. How could this be?

    Nature Calls in Venice: Unveiling the Elusive Toilets and Cafés That Save the Day


    Now, let’s talk cash. You needn’t carry rolls of it in Venice, my friend. Firstly, exchanging money is a rip-off, and secondly, credit cards are widely accepted across bars, restaurants, and shops. But here’s a little tip: keep some cash handy for those moments when nature calls, as public toilets are a rarity in Italy. Fear not! Cafés come to the rescue, with approximately 80% of them offering facilities for their cherished customers.

    Whether it’s a refreshing bottle of [INSERT YOUR FAVORITE DRINK], a quick glass of wine, or a satisfying coffee, as long as you make a purchase, feel free to use their conveniences. And oh, Italians have a soft spot for coins when it comes to payment – no joking!

    CASH OR CARD? UNLOCK THE SECRETS OF CURRENCY IN VENICE AND AVOID RIP-OFFS


    Now, let’s tackle the issue of cash. Once you’ve secured enough for your comfort breaks (and settle the tourist city tax upon arrival), you’re good to go. But if you find yourself running low, head to an ATM attached to a bank. Beware the blue and yellow ATMs scattered around town like the plague, for they can charge you exorbitant fees of up to 29%.

    Now, imagine a tempting VAT refund when making your purchases. Remember, it requires showing your passport, but we typically advise against carrying your documents. Instead, snap a photo and leave the IDs safely at your apartment. Let’s not have a repeat of poor Kristy’s mishap.

    Kristy’s Misfortune: How a Seaside Mishap Turned Her Venice Adventure Upside Down


    Ah, dear Kristy! Enthusiastic about her mid-May visit to Venice, she embarked on a waterbus journey from the train station, capturing picturesque moments before even checking into her apartment. Alas, an unfortunate encounter with the waves led to the loss of her wallet, causing her to divert her central day in Venice to travel to Florence and handle the consolations of her predicament. Eventually, she had to bid farewell to Europe merely two days after setting foot in Venice.

    Safety of venice

    Remember, breaking in is not a concern in Venice, but the swift hands of pickpockers demand your attention. Keep your wits about you, my dear traveler. Mind that.

  • Rubbish & Recycling

    Rubbish & Recycling

    Until a couple of years ago we could leave our garbage bags on the doorstep and the dustmen would collect them. However, this was the state of every single spot of town in the mornings.

    Littering in Venice

    Seagulls and rats were absolutely happy about this. They had fresh food leftovers every night. A real party for them, a pure hygienic nightmare for us. We could not cope with it.

    Nowadays we still do the door-to-door collection. However the rubbish bag and the recycling bag must be either handed over to the dustmen or brought to the boat.

    In the morning you will hear the doorbell ringing. Often a loud voice will shout outside:

    ”Spazzinooo!” (“Dustmen!”)

    the dustmen

    If you have a smelly garbage bag (e.g. because of nappies or fruit or fish leftovers), a full one or it’s check out day, that’s the call.

    Handing over the garbage and the recycling is main thing we ask you on check-out day. It is crucial as this service ends before checkout time.

    How does it work

    They will come by between 8:30 am and 10:30 am. In case you had out before they come, you may hand it directly to them on the streets or by the boat. Yes, the trash-boat. In your hometown you have trash trucks, haven’t you? We got trash-boats. On the map in the official flyer (here below) you can see which one is the closest to you.

    Garbage collection mapDownload

    When and what time

    Every morning from Monday to Saturday they will collect the general waste. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays they will collect paper. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays glass + plastic + tins. No collection on Sundays.

    Any type of bag is good to go. Shopping bags, supermarket bags, plastic bags, whatever. Colours do not matter. The content is important. 

    Be careful: not recycling correctly and littering (also leaving it on the doorstep or using public bins is considered littering) are subject to fines (from €167). 

    Thank you for your cooperation.
  • “Acqua alta”, the flooding of Venice

    “Acqua alta”, the flooding of Venice

    Heard on the news that Venice was flooded and now you are concerned of the city’s situation and wonder if it worth visiting it? Let us tell you something. Venice is on sea side. Actually it’s in the sea. Not like Atlantis, but almost. Venice floats. “Acqua alta”, the flooding of Venice. Media love to scream it every year first time that high tides flood the city. Venetians do to cope with the high waters since ever, – even though climate change is making things worse. And you can still enjoy the city during acqua alta.

    What is acqua alta

    When the tide rises, some parts of Venice get flooded. Higher is the tide, more surface of Venice gets flooded. So, when the tide grows much due to weather condition, south-east winds and “sessa” (natural returning waves of the Adriatic Sea), we get the phenomena called “Acqua Alta” (high water).

    It’s a pain for most of residents who live on low ground floor, work in a ground floor shop or have a little storage because it means your place can get flooded. That’s what media usually show and scream.

    what media forget to say

    It’s a tide: as everywhere on the planet, the tide usually raises for few hours (3 to 6 hours) and goes down taking more or less the same time. So in half a day at worst Venice is walkable again. And all of us residents are busy mopping floors.

    St. Mark’s Square is often flooded: a bit, but it happens often. Why? I suppose all the monumental buildings are heavy and soaked the pavement more than other areas. So there the tide start giving problems when it’s 85 cm.

    Water-pumps & “tubs”: if renovated recently, most of apartments and shops have installed system of self protection from floodings. Mostly, door water barriers, water pumps and the reinforced concrete tub under the floor and side walls to prevent the water filters in. Otherwise, they are lifted and the floors are one or two steps higher than the street level.

    Walkways & wellies: even during the peak hours of a tide, around town there are walkways where you can walk on. Otherwise a pair of wellies can keep your feet dry.

    It happens for decades: it’s not a big deal. We live here no matter what. True is that the global warming made this phenomena happening more often and worse. Another good reason to be concerned about environment.

    Measurements. We measure the water on the sea level, not starting from the pavement. So if it forecasted 105cm, do not expect a meter of water in the street. For example, St. Mark’s sq goes under at 85cm, therefore you can expect 20cm of water on the pavement (105 cm – 85 cm = 20 cm).

    Sound alarm. Few hours before the peak you can hear a loud city sound alarm. More high pitched is, higher is the forecast.

    Mose. It took 13 years to realise this massive project costed 7 billions of euro. It’s a system of sinked waterbarriers where lagoon is joined with the open sea that come to float when the tide is expected over 120cm. It has been set in place the first time on Oct.3rd, 2020. Almost a year too late for saving us from the 2nd highest flooding in the history (November 12th, 2019 – 187 cm).

    Acqua alta the flooding of Venice. Photo of our storage the morning after November 12th, 2019.
    Our storage the morning after. The water raised so much that the water barrier and the “tub” have been high enough.

    Lastly, among residents it’s a topic for chit chat (“Got issues with the high tide last time?” Is the new local “What do you do at NYE?”) and for tourists it’s more something to have a laugh at then a reason to worry for.

  • Can’t say you didn’t know

    Can’t say you didn’t know

    Check – in

    • it is suggested to plan the keys’ handover at the earliest convenience or anyway no later than 24 hours prior to arrival date or anyway before departing
    • in matter of speaking, we are aware this might seem an unusual extra step and we honestly thank you for your cooperation
    • we apply an extra-charge (up to €80) if you plan to collect the keys in the evening
    • very few apartments have a self check-in option: if available, we’ll provide you all the info you need to find the accommodation after completing the online check-in procedure and collecting the city tax
    • Don’t need to google the way to the apartment: we will provide you very detailed instructions to reach the meeting point / apartment on the calendar invite
    • check with your provider that your phone works abroad and you have a good data plan: you might need to get in touch with us whilst travelling
    • keep in mind there is free roaming if you have a EU SIM card> be sure you tick on your device: in this way we can be in touch for free over Whatsapp / iMessage / Signal / Telegram / Viber / WeChat
    • Please note down the correct number you need to contact upon arrival that we provided you
    • keep in mind that restaurants in town stop serving around 10 PM: some takeaways and bacaro (tavern bars) can still have something left

    City Plan

    • Google Maps (and many other GPS device too) is not reliable to explore Venice: in the narrows streets of Venice, the app loses easily the track of your steps and messes up with street names and addresses’ numbers. Further, it calculates the shortest itinerary without considering the several bridges, the worst obstacles when you have luggage to carry. At times it even suggests to walk on the canal waters!
    • streets can have the same name and be very far from each other
    • calle = street, salizada = avenue, ramo = dead-end street, calle larga = boulevard, campo = square
    • there is not a classic continuity on address numbers
    • you can already see our favorite places in town on this map

    FAQ

    • we provide neutral soap, shower gel & shampoo, clean towels and fresh bedlinen
    • A/C (where available), heating and WiFi work great in every apartment
    • hot water is usually constant, immediate and unlimited: if not, get in touch ASAP
    • tap water is good in every apartment in town and in the public taps. Please visit Venice Tap Water website to find out more
    • it is suggested to plan the keys’ handover at the earliest convenience or anyway no later than 24 hours before arrival date or anyway before departing: click here to inquire for an appointment
    • Why? Because the logistics in Venice are not straight easy as in the rest of the world. Despite its reasonable size, moving within Venice can be challenging, time-wasting and tiring. Even more if you have to carry baggage. Therefore, in order to provide the excellent service we aim to, we need solid precise information to forecast the correct time frame.
    • All meeting times are set considering only the average Guests’ transfer time and the property availability according to the housekeeping
    • we apply an extra-charge (up to €80) if you plan to collect the keys in the evening
    • we provide you very detailed instructions to reach the meeting point on the calendar invite
    • in case you haven’t received a calendar invite by the day before, please check your junk box or get in touch with us using the chat box (“Ask us”)
    • upon arrival it will be necessary to show us your passports / IDs into Police Dept., City Board and Tourist Boards: that’s why we’ll need to see them on arrival
    • all keys must be left / returned on departing day: in case you need a luggage deposit, you can take it to La Portineria
    • you can always leave the luggage after check-out, but not inside the apartment: ask about it at check-in about our luggage deposit / HQ / panic room

    Flights & Airports

    • Venice has got 2 airports: “Marco Polo” (BA, Easyjet, KLM, Air France, Iberia, Delta, SAS, etc.) and “Canova” in Treviso (sometimes Ryanair, Jets2,etc.): please inform us which one you land in
    • Please provide us your flight code number and its expected time of arrival
      • Why? Because in this way we can track your journey online on the arrival day, be aware of any possible flight delay (often, unfortunately) and be at the apartment on time
      • How do I find it? [here]
    • In both airports there is free WiFi: log in and then you can use all the apps you like for few hours
    • when using public transportation, Guests arrive at the meeting point / apartment about 2 hours after landing in Marco Polo airport and 2,5 hours after landing in Treviso airport. Times are shorter when they have been to Venice several times, the property is close to Piazzale Roma. A private transfer by taxiboat saves approx. 30 minutes, however it’s quite expensive (starting from €140 up to 4 passengers).

    Public Transportation

    • watertaxi (“taxi acqueo”) and waterbus (“vaporetto”) are not the same as much normal taxi and normal bus: one is private, can take wherever you want (also almost on the doorstep of your apartment) and it’s more expensive; the second is shared, big and does regular stops and routes
    • you don’t need multiple days pass (unless your apartment is in Giudecca): often all the main attractions are on a walkable distance
    • you can buy tickets online here (no need to buy a multiple days pass unless you are not use to walk or some members of your travel party has mobility difficulties)
    • buy your tickets upfront online: you avoid at least the queue for the ticket office – on the other hand you need to convert the voucher in a travel card though
    • you can buy tickets also on WhatsApp: you may find a QR on a totem banner outside the Waterbus stop
    • be sure to valid your waterbus ticket tapping it on the white validators  at the stop before getting on an ACTV public waterbus: fines are high!
    • waterbus runs all night in town and to train station
    • we have no Uber in Italy 😒
    • waterbusses run round the clock: of course not as frequent in the night and not all the routes

    Now it is possibile to buy waterbus tickets also using WhatsApp

    Scan the QR code available at the waterbus stop to complete the purchase.

    Trains & Railway

    • Santa Lucia train station is the only one in the old city centre: that’s must be your train destination
    • there are 2 train companies: Trenitalia e Italo
    • you can also buy ticket using Trainline app
    • please provide us the train code number when you book your journey to Venice

    Touristic info & Reservations

    • You can find many handy infos and things to do here
    • there is no need to book in advance airport transfers, watertaxi, gondola rides or island tours: rather check our hints here!
    • instead, it can be handy buying online tickets for Palazzo dei Dogi, Basilica di San Marco and any museum you plan to go to
    • it can be a good idea also reserve tables at restaurants
    • Venice is a delicate town overwhelmed by tourism: be responsible, shop local and follow these guidlines, thank you!

    Vehicles

    • there are no cars in the old town or any other type of vehicles (bicycles, scooters, roller-blades, skates, etc.) are also forbidden: it also means you can’t drop the luggage to the apartment and then go to park
    • you can return your rented car in Piazzale Roma or Marco Polo airport
    • the most popular parking area is Tronchetto: more convenient than Piazzale Roma, easy as much, you can take the waterbus (route #2) directly from there to the centre
    • also Marive is an excellent solution for those Guests who has the apartment located not far from Fondamenta Nove and plan to arrive before 6 PM
    • Piazzale Roma is the most central solution, but it needs to be reserved
  • How survive in Venice / How let Venice survive

    How survive in Venice / How let Venice survive

    Never forget that Venice is a very peculiar city, must be treated with a special care by everyone, including you

    Venice is one of the most beautiful and unique cities in the world, but it can also be overwhelming and crowded with tourists. To have a more authentic and enjoyable experience, it’s important to be respectful of the local culture and customs. Here are some tips for exploring in Venice responsibly.

    Backpacks on waters

    The water buses can get crowded, and it’s important to save space for other passengers. Sailors will remind you to remove your backpack to make more room.

    Backstreets boys win

    The best views and most authentic shops are away from the main streets. The larger and more crowded a street is, the more likely it is to be full of tourist traps and cheap souvenir shops. Walk down the backstreets for a more authentic experience. You may get lost. Oh well.

    Don’t sit on steps or bridges

    While it may seem tempting to rest on the steps of a church or bridge, it’s important to remember that these are public spaces and not meant for lounging. Instead, sit at a café or restaurant and enjoy the view.

    City tax / tourist tax

    Many cities around the world have a tourist tax, and Venice is no exception. The tax must be paid in cash upon arrival, and it’s important to have the correct amount ready. Please note: If you booked through Booking.com, the tax may not have been collected yet, just indicated a rough amount.

    Dry mouth

    There are many little taps around Venice that provide fresh tap water. The water is drinkable and free, so fill up your water bottle instead of buying expensive bottled water. The San Benedetto, an Italian famous soft drink company, has the main production plant in the Venice mainland area and uses the same water spring for their drinks. Otherwise wine is always a good option.

    Famelish

    How to fill that ginormous blackhole in your stomach while waiting for a main meal? Here are some hints to navigate in this sea of snackbars / cafes / taverns / takeaway in town.

    • Pasta-to-go, the disgusting option. Pre-cooked pasta briefly stir-fried in a sauce from a jar, eaten from a cardboard carton walking the streets. Every time a portion of that is ordered, an italian nanny cries.
    • Gelato, the sweet option. Scout for any place which is “artigianale”: at least, they make their own icecream.
    • Cicheti, the traditional option. Meatballs, finger food, crostini, tramezzini and other goodies (a rich list is on the blog) to have at the counter of a bacaro (local nickname for tavern – here our fav). Best thing to wash it down is wine (“ombra”, tiny glass of house wine). Or Prosecco.
    feeding pigeons

    It’s not only illegal to feed the pigeons in Venice, but it’s also unhealthy and unsanitary. Avoid feeding the pigeons and enjoy the city’s beauty from a safe distance. Why would you do that?

    Got lost? Need info?

    See Restroom.

    Identification & safety

    It’s our duty to notice the Police Office who is in our apartments within 24h from the arrival. That’s why we’ll ask you to scan your ID / passport when you check-in. These informations will be partially shared with the City Board and Tourist Boards: that’s why we’ll need to see them on arrival. We consider this topic extremely important as they are sensitive contents. Here you may find our GDPR compliant privacy policy.

    Maps

    You may find handy giving a look to this map with our favourite shops in town and this one with fair-trade shops, organic food sellers, free tap sinks and much more.

    Murano glass and authentic masks

    Plenty of shops sells fake Murano glass and plastic masks. Check always the tag behind and ask if they are manufactured in Venice before buying it. In town there are plenty of small craft shops #supportlocal

    Restroom / loo / public toilets

    There are several public toilets in town. Not many, pricey and smelley. It’s a good alternative in Italy to:

    1.  in a bar or a cafe
    2. order a soft drink, bottled water or coffee to have at the counter (or at the tables, if you prefer)
    3. ask if the restroom is available
    4. use it while your drink is prepared
    5. get your drink
    6. ciao
    Recycling

    Contribute to keep clean and tidy this place (read “the world”) respecting the recycling and waste collection methods and times: you can find the official flyer in the folder of the apartment or here

    it’s a bridge, not a bench

    Would you park your car in a tunnel? Probably not. Everyone has to go through the bridges so the “traffic” should be as smoother as possible. Stopping on a tiny or crowded bridge will make impossible walking by you for the others.

    Support local economy

    Residents in Venice still purchase in little shops. Shopping at small family-run businesses like butchers and bakeries will help support the local economy and keep Venice authentic and maintaining its social texture.

    Tasting free samples

    We don’t consider polite asking to sip a wine or a taste of ice-cream before ordering it, unless the tavern’s host or the parlour’s clerk suggests. Rather order just a glass or a scoop of it.

    The selfie-stick slap

    When you are finally taking a selfie, be careful how you move the stick around. You might hit someone. Also if you are just pointing out directions or things to see. You may still poke someone in the eye.

    Venice is a live city, not an amuse park

    Remember that Venice is a live city, not an amusement park. Be respectful of the locals and their daily activities, and try to contribute to keeping the city clean and tidy by following the recycling and waste collection methods.. Be respectful like you would like tourist would be in your hometown. Thank you

    Walk on the right side

    Just like driving, we follow this street code. Walking on the left side will occur several “accidents” and disputes.

    Window shopping

    Feel free to walk in any shop you like, you don’t need to buy anything, you can just look around, but remember always to say “Buongiorno” (good morning) and “Arrivederci” (goodbye) walking in and out.