Hi Wigint
We went to Norther Italy including Venice last Summer with our twin-axle van here is a review of our stay near Venice.
We spent 3 very happy weeks staying at Camping Cavallino this August. This is one of the many sites spread along the east-facing beach of the Jesolo Peninsula to the east of Venice.
Cavallino was a pleasant site and we got a large pitch only a few metres from the beach on the Adriatic. The site takes both tents and caravans. We didn't book in advance and they found room for us even though we have a large twin-axle 'van. The site has a swimming pool, children's playground and some sports facilities but it is not an all-singing, all dancing type of site. The sea was lovely and warm and the beach sloped down gently. Although quite a large site it was peaceful and well organised with VERY HELPFUL English-speaking staff. One of the receptionists arranged for a local garage to order and fit a new spare tyre to replace a damaged on our caravan. There was a good supermarket and restaurant, too. One of the shop assistants not only sold me a top-up card for my mobile phone Italian SIM Card but found an English speaking colleague who phoned up and did the topping-up for me. The site is not, however, full of Brits rather more Italians, Germans and Dutch.
The boat to Venice from Punto Sabione was about 5 miles drive away. There was, also, a bus service but we chose to drive and park in the supervised car parks adjacent to the Ferry (5 Euros for the day). We stopped in one opposite the ferrry departure point, although the owners of the many earlier car parks stand in the road and wave you into there parks in a very official looking way!! That meant we could catch early boats into Venice and late ones back in the evening.
We purchased Venice Cards - from Tourist Info or Boat ticket offices. These are excellent value as they cover ALL the vaparetta (water buses), city-run museums and toilets (1 Euro entrance otherwise). There are passes for longer periods, 3 and 7 days I think but these have to be used on consecutive days and the tourist info lady advised us that would be rather tiring. I think she was right. We spent 3 separate days in Venice, with days lounging on the beach to recover in between.
We made VERY full use of the water buses. As well as travelling in on the larger boat direct to near St Mark's Square we, also, travelled up and down the Grand Canal numerous times, including at night when it is really romantic and magical. We also visited numerous other islands. Murano the glass blowing island is beautiful with its brightly painted houses and picturesque canals. Bellano has its lace making. Torchello with its ancient cathedral is almost deserted and a welcome break from the crowds. The Cathedral gives excellent views back across the lagoon to Venice - the tower is unusually accessed by sloping ramps, hardly any steps, a bit like the Escher picture.. We reckoned one day that our boat trips would have added up to 50+ Euros each if we had been paying for trips separately so the Venice card is well worth the cost. The water buses are, also, a great way of relaxing when the crowds get too much. We, also, circled the main island several times by day and night.
We would advise planning your itinerary carefully – we did this using the maps and guidebooks on our rest days back at the site.. Even in 3 days we only scratched the surface. The crowds and queues near St Marks Square are horrendous. We got wise, however, and by, on one day, catching the 7.30 am boat from Punto Sabione managed to be 6 in the queue for St Marks. By the time we came out the queue was hundreds of people long. St Marks was worth well worth visiting both the free main part and the relatively cheap museums and treasury. St Marks Campanile gives stupendous views over the lagoon. The Civic Museum and Ducal palace, which were included in our Venice card, were interesting but perhaps a little overwhelming as there were SO MANY beautiful works of art in quick succession – we went on a wet morning.
Food, drink and most everything else is very expensive in Venice. We took our own packed lunches and drinks and picnicked in the gardens near St Marks.
Our stay at Cavallino was finished with the grand finale of the "Beach on Fire" firework display. This was a simultaneous firework display set off from 13 points along the beach including one just outside the campsite.
We hope to return to Italy next Summer, despite a major breakdown on the way home which we are still sorting out!!!
We're sure you'll have a wonderful time.
On a warning note the campsites in this area are quite expensive. We payed c£30 an night for the 'van and 2 adults. Much more expensive than France and, even, near Lake Como on the way down.
Eating in Venice can be VERY EXPENSIVE. Beware the hidden, or at least not very clear cover charges, etc. For 2 of us to have a one course steak meal plus diet cokes to drink was £74.00. This was in a lovely spot overlooking the Grand Canal but the price was far more than it appeared from the menu displayed outside.
We visited the Lido once for a walk around but did not stay too long as I discovered my wallet had been lost/stolen and had to rush back to look for it!!! What we saw was not particularly impressive but then it has a lot to compete with on the main island.
We found the pocket size Berlitz guide and, also, a pocket size AA one useful for infomation. The Tourist information sell a good map of Venice which has an accompanying guide/key to the main sites and linked to the Vaporetta stops - very helpful and not too expensive and importantly up to date. The Venice Card, also, comes with a guide to the major sites which includes opening times, etc.
-------------
Tim and Cary
|
Topic: ROME & VENICE SITES
![[:o)]](https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/forum_images/smiley20.gif)
