[Idyllchat] Thievery in Venice

[Lynanne Guynn]

I've not seen the "Gypsies" in Venice, but I've been told that they are there, and are very good.  Since many tourists are Daytrippers and leave in the evenings, so do most gypsies.  Be careful and alert any time you are in a crowd (vaporetti, etc).
 
WCs are all over, but sparse in the local neighborhoods - cost about .50 euro, have an attendant and are clean.  Or stop at a bar/cafe, order anything, use their toilette, then people-watch and rest your feet for as long as you wish.
 
The vaporetto is THE transportation except your feet.  Venice is small enough to go by foot everywhere, as long as you can go over bridges - there are over 400.  These are step bridges, not ramps like cars use.  And remember, the city is only about 2 x 3 miles big.  You could use an expensive taxi to go to the islands, but the vaporetto pass includes  them, even Lido and Chioggia.
 
Every year I buy the latest edition of Fodor's "Venice's 25 Best".  It has lots of good info, but I get it for the separate folding map.  It's the only map I've found that shows ALL the tiniest calles and names them all. Very handy in a city with so many winding calles and name changes.
 
Lynanne
Visit my Blog at www.lynanneg.blogspot.com


From: frdangelo at charter.netTo: idyllchat at lists.untours.comDate: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 05:10:55 -0500Subject: [Idyllchat] Thievery in Venice






Has anyone experienced problems in Venice with thieves?  Other than Piazza San Marco and possibly the vaporettos, I wouldn’t think it would be a big problem.  I still will wear my money belt (always just below the level of my belt to make access for thieves and “me” more difficult).  I learned my lesson in Barcelona a few years ago while on the Metro.  We will be in Venice this May and hope to be a bit more relaxed regarding thievery than when we visited major cities and were constantly on the lookout.  
While walking around  Venice, is it difficult to find WC’s? Is the vaporetto the best means of transportation and the cheapest?  Can anyone recommend a good walking map to buy while there or wear to pick up one ahead of time?  I’m told that the streets are a maze and getting lost is part of the experience.
Thanks for all the warnings and suggestions.  Happy and safe traveling to all.
                                                          Frank
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