Venice

[DJ Barry Hammond]

In an unprescidented move, I've booked a short weekend break to Venice to coinside with my Girlfriends Birthday in late November. I also have the plan of popping the big question (no rude comments please).

Now I know pretty much nothing about Venice, other than the fact there's a lot of water around it and what it looks like on Assains Creed. So... I would be very grateful if some of the more well travelled people on this forum could give me tips / recommendations on things to see, do, places to eat, things to avoid, funny stories, in fact whatever you fancy quite frankly as it will all go in the memory bank and be greatly appreciated.

If anyone has been to the Vencie's footy sides ground, is it worth going? Apparently the only ground you have to get to via boat? Oh and we're staying in the hotel Bisanzio, so if you've just happened to have stayed there whats it like - the pictures certainly look stunning.

[StanSP]

I've never been to Venice, although I'd like to so I'd also profit from anyone who has info on the above.

But I do say good luck to you and hope your girlfriend says yes !!

Isn't it a coincidence how you've booked a holiday at the same time of your girlfriend's birthday

[Guest Bilo]

First thing's first.

Don't believe the guff about the canals stinking. They get far too much hammer from the waterbuses and taxis for that.

Venice is a lovely city, friendly, scenic and with lots to see and do. The parts surrounded by canals are car-free and therefore offer lots of walking opportunities but this does make Venice the easiest place in the world to get lost in with signage a bit poor and lots of the streets looking the same. Getting around is easy enough. Waterbuses run regularly and are very cheap, water taxis are easy to find but a little steep and gondolas are all over the place. Needless to see these are dear but they aren't exactly about getting from A to B and it's something you can't do anywhere else, so it is something worth doing.

There's also the popular conception that Venice is expensive. It needn't be. If you go for a restaurant within spitting distance of the Bridge of Sighs by the canalside, it will be an overpriced tourist trap. Look along the backstreets for an authentic family owned restaurant. Frankly it isn't even the money, the food will just be better and the atmosphere a lot more romantic than being surrounded by loud-mouthed Yanks stopping off on their annual cruise. The old adage of 'look for where the locals eat' definitely applies.

St Mark's Square is a must visit. If you're prepared to queue, the basilica is absolutely stunning and well worth the wait when you get inside. The Bridge of Sighs is a good photo op as well. Your best bet though is to buy a Lonely Planet guide so you don't end up missing too much, as the city is quite compact and you can see most of it in a few days.

Know very little about the football team so went on Wiki. Apparently they've gone bust twice in five years and now play in the fifth tier of Italian football, pretty much amateur. Believe it is the only ground that you can only get to via boat though.

Best of luck mate and hope your good lady says yes.

Hope this helps.

[jonthefox]

venice is a fantastic place to visit. It is , however very expensive.

A rule of thumb that i always use is, if you want food, accomadation and beer etc, move as far away from the canals as possible asits tons cheaper.

[Dr The Singh]

venice is a fantastic place to visit. It is , however very expensive.

A rule of thumb that i always use is, if you want food, accomadation and beer etc, move as far away from the canals as possible asits tons cheaper.

Agreed, we went in july. Strada Nova is cheaper and better quality in terms of food. Beware of cafes and canteens price list, most of them show the take away price list on the shop front which is far cheaper then eat in or drink in!

If you want a gondola ride around 5 pm is cheapest time.

Majority of the restaurants etc are now owned by chinese, even though most look authentic, but food quality vaires alot!

A pint of beer is around 6 euro's, the cheapest place I found was the Shark irsih pub for beer. Bakaro Jazz does good cocktails for buy one get one free!!

Overall the place is well overpriced interms of drinking, food prices vary, good authentic food will cost you, but the place is unique, and the canals don't smell in general!! Do not catch a water taxi, and the water bus is around 6 euro's per trip but the trip could be the whole of the grande canal, so it''s a very cheap way of viewing all of venice!

Have fun

[cambridgefox]

I went many years ago and it was a fantastic trip,Got a boat from croatia on aday trip,it can be expensive but shop around.St Marks square is a must and a Gondola ride is a must.It might not be too bad for prices as you are going out of season.Just had a look non trip advisor and reviews not bad hotel came 76th out of 456 hotels so much better than average.You may have looked on Trip advisor,but if not,the top right of the screen has a title marked photos which other travellers have taken,worth a look.Hope all goes well with the proposal.You old romantic !

[James.]

Your best bet though is to buy a Lonely Planet guide so you don't end up missing too much, as the city is quite compact and you can see most of it in a few days.

Whenever I read or hear something like that I'm always reminded of some wise words from a friend of mine - "fvck the Lonely Planet, just buy a map and work it out for yourself". To be fair I think he has a point, the Lonely Planet sometimes has a habit of sanitising the experience, particularly when they mention somewhere "off the beaten track" - well it was "off the beaten track" until some cvnt decided to tell a billion people about it in a book.

[Guest Bilo]

Whenever I read or hear something like that I'm always reminded of some wise words from a friend of mine - "fvck the Lonely Planet, just buy a map and work it out for yourself". To be fair I think he has a point, the Lonely Planet sometimes has a habit of sanitising the experience, particularly when they mention somewhere "off the beaten track" - well it was "off the beaten track" until some cvnt decided to tell a billion people about it in a book.

Take your point but Venice is the kind of city where a Lonely Planet guide comes into its own because Venice is so hard to find your way around.

Though in most cities buying a map and working it out yourself works brilliantly. We found some cracking restaurants in Dubrovnik on our travels using exactly that method, discovering that Bosnian cuisine was bloody lovely in the process.

[James.]

Though in most cities buying a map and working it out yourself works brilliantly. We found some cracking restaurants in Dubrovnik on our travels using exactly that method, discovering that Bosnian cuisine was bloody lovely in the process.

Walking into the old town in Dubrovnik at night was like entering a fairy tale. Absolutely stunning place. Great seafood as well (although do you mean Croatian instead of Bosnian?)

[Alexikokopops]

They love their "baby cow" in Croatia.

[Guest Bilo]

Walking into the old town in Dubrovnik at night was like entering a fairy tale. Absolutely stunning place. Great seafood as well (although do you mean Croatian instead of Bosnian?)

No it was actually a little Bosnian restaurant down a little side street. Seemed a bit out of place in Croatia but was blooming lovely, actually fairly similar to Turkish cuisine which isn't a massive surprise due to the historic Turkish influences on the country.

Weirdly called the Taj Mahal though, which isn't very Bosnian at all.

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g295371-d807032-Reviews-Taj_mahal-Dubrovnik.html

[Dr The Singh]

Take your point but Venice is the kind of city where a Lonely Planet guide comes into its own because Venice is so hard to find your way around.

Though in most cities buying a map and working it out yourself works brilliantly. We found some cracking restaurants in Dubrovnik on our travels using exactly that method, discovering that Bosnian cuisine was bloody lovely in the process.

Venice is so touristy, and small it's very hard to get lost on a scale, to be fair it depends on your bearings!!!

We took a couple of guides but to be fair the best places we found were by chance, i find this anyuwhere i've been though!

[Guest Bilo]

Venice is so touristy, and small it's very hard to get lost on a scale, to be fair it depends on your bearings!!!

We took a couple of guides but to be fair the best places we found were by chance, i find this anyuwhere i've been though!

It's more the fact that there are a lot of very small streets that all look pretty much alike. I found it easy enough to get lost, especially at night after visiting the Irish pub you mentioned.

[Finnegan]

Only a Brit could go hundreds of miles to a beautiful, ancient, cultural hot bed and head straight for an Irish pub.

[Smudge]

Agreed, we went in july. Strada Nova is cheaper and better quality in terms of food. Beware of cafes and canteens price list, most of them show the take away price list on the shop front which is far cheaper then eat in or drink in!

If you want a gondola ride around 5 pm is cheapest time.

Majority of the restaurants etc are now owned by chinese, even though most look authentic, but food quality vaires alot!

A pint of beer is around 6 euro's, the cheapest place I found was the Shark irsih pub for beer. Bakaro Jazz does good cocktails for buy one get one free!!

Overall the place is well overpriced interms of drinking, food prices vary, good authentic food will cost you, but the place is unique, and the canals don't smell in general!! Do not catch a water taxi, and the water bus is around 6 euro's per trip but the trip could be the whole of the grande canal, so it''s a very cheap way of viewing all of venice!

Have fun

Bacaro Jazz looks like it's steeped in Venetian culture.

[Dr The Singh]

Bacaro Jazz looks like it's steeped in Venetian culture.

It looks like they have my bra still up there!!!!!!

[Guest Bilo]

Only a Brit could go hundreds of miles to a beautiful, ancient, cultural hot bed and head straight for an Irish pub.

In my defence, I was working on cruise ships and went there every Friday for about three months.

It was culture for the first 6 weeks or so then getting lashed for the next 6. Lovely.

[Smudge]

It looks like they have my bra still up there!!!!!!

I see it

[DJ Barry Hammond]

Only a Brit could go hundreds of miles to a beautiful, ancient, cultural hot bed and head straight for an Irish pub.

Yes but that said, I will be looking out for this Irish pub now! Thanks for the knowledge so far guys (Oh and I'm pretty confident she will say yes, we've been going out for 3 weeks now)

[Jackirius]

Damn i really want to go to Venice... Isn't it meant to be slowly washing away though? Better get my skates on.

[samjohnson]

Word of advide, Dont stand in gondolas... (spelling...?)

[Smudge]

Word of advide, Dont stand in gondolas... (spelling...?)

It's spelled or spelt ........."advice"

[DJ Barry Hammond]

In an unprescidented move, I've booked a short weekend break to Venice to coinside with my Girlfriends Birthday in late November. I also have the plan of popping the big question (no rude comments please).

Now I know pretty much nothing about Venice, other than the fact there's a lot of water around it and what it looks like on Assains Creed. So... I would be very grateful if some of the more well travelled people on this forum could give me tips / recommendations on things to see, do, places to eat, things to avoid, funny stories, in fact whatever you fancy quite frankly as it will all go in the memory bank and be greatly appreciated.

If anyone has been to the Vencie's footy sides ground, is it worth going? Apparently the only ground you have to get to via boat? Oh and we're staying in the hotel Bisanzio, so if you've just happened to have stayed there whats it like - the pictures certainly look stunning.

So, for those of you that would be interested, the trip happened last weekend and was... eventful...

I decided to let the Girlfriend know about the trip on the Thursday morning, by leaving a case packed with some of my clothes plus a card explaining that we were going away for the weekend, kids are looked after etc. This also coincided in me collecting the self designed Engagement Ring from a place a little bit of the M25 - which coming from Bristol is a fair trip.

Half expecting a message from the missus when the case is found, my belly's jingling with excitment on the way up and I'm constantly checking my phone for the first half of the journey. I get up there, collect the ring and start making my way back and still nothing, which i think is a bit odd, and then the thoughts I had on Wednesday of "what if she doesn't come" start setting in. I eventually get back into Bristol and make my way around to see whats going on.

The missus is shocked and complains she has nothing to wear, no money to buy anything although she has gone shopping and is generally in a foul mood - not something I really expected but this was explained by "I don't like suprises". Well oh dear, because more are to come!

Friday isn't much better, her case items don't get packed until very late on, partly because shes now bought a fair few new items to take and I'm panicing about the weight limit as there's three pairs of shoes and a hairdryer in the case (why these are needed for a four day stay I don't know?). We end up leaving for the airport late, get stuck in Friday traffic, it begins to snow, she's still grumbling about this that and the other in the car and it begins to snow - my knee bobs up and down in the car more than bob bobbington the natonal apple bobbing champion.

We get to the airport just in time to check my bag in the hold, we then rush through to our own check in to get on the plane (slight panic as the security securitnise my hand luggage rather closely on the screen while she watches on) and get the flight to Venice/Treviso airport followed by a bus ride to the edge of Venice. We're now quite tired and hungry and cold, but still have to find the hotel so the missus is still in the best of moods, as we try to work out the best way to find the hotel. This takes a little time, as she questions whether we should get off at every stop on the Water Bus, but knowing the hotel is close to St Marks Square I inisist we stay on until its in sight because I can't bare it anymore. Ironically, we should have gone on for a couple but what can you do. I should add at this point I have a pretty bad cold, my ears still haven't popped from the plane so i'm pretty deaf (probably a good thing), and the case is heavy what with those extra shoes and hairdryer.

So we get to the hotel and get a nice rest, to wake up to a beautiful winters sunny day in Venice. The GF complains that she didn't sleep very well and that it was cold, but I highlight that it is a beautiful day out there and that it is much colder in England right now. After breakfast, we then go walking around Venice, with her taking the guide book and Camera so shes pretty much in charge - especially as my suggestions fall on deaf ears (despite me being the one with those). My cold has really developed into a stinker by the way, but this is not going to stop me having fun, no way. The evening passes by with a pleasent meal with wine, and despite the grumbling and the feeling that at times, I can't do anything right by here the day was a good one.

We then move onto Sunday - ah, weathers changed quite a bit, it's pissing down and quite windy. The morning is spent going around the shops, mainly for her to find and purchase another pair of shoes (some of those furry boots). Complaints about the cold are now coming thick and fast, and it takes a decisive move from me to convice that going into the McDonalds for a hot drink is a sensible option. Despite not liking coffee, and realistically preferring a hot chocolate, she refuses to allow me to ask what a 'Calde' is and asks me to order a Cappacino - it seemed apparent she was not willing to speak to anyone Italian at this stage?

We come back just after mid day, after sucessfully finding some boots and other items for her (which i've paid for) and gone up the big tower to expose ourselves to more win and cold. I've highlighted my intention to go and watch Venezia play early on in the holiday and as its now 2 so i agree I will go off in search for this on my own while she stays in the hotel and keeps warm. After 4 hours of combined walking and watching football in the wind and the rain, I come back intent on asking the question over dinner and I'm quite hungry at this point. I shower, and get my suit trousers, shirt, tie and favourite red jumper on while the GF just sits on the bed, hardly moving once again complaining how cold it is (perhapse if you move it may help?).

I realise she's not wanting to go out and she's certainly not going to dress up, but maybe she'll lighten up once we find somewhere to eat (please god lighten up). How wrong could I be - after joining me in what can be at best described as casual wear, at worst sweats, we walk around Venice with my suggestions of eating venues receiving flat no's instantly. We've gone around the place quite a bit and nothing is appealing to her until we find this dump of a bar/restuant run. It has pictures of celebs on the wall (as if they'd ever been there) and it was run by people of chinese origin (not being racist, but surely you want to fed by Italian's in Venice?).

The menu looks pretty shocking as well, but she orders the lasange and i go for the Tortellini. When her lassange comes out quite quickly upside down, I joke that its upside down because they've tipped it out of a microwavable tray. Then we here a ping, and low and behold my meals had its 3 minute spin as well! 12 euros a peice for microwaved food!!! I have the ring in my coat pocket, but i sense its staying in there for the time being this crapfest is not the fitting place so we finish and get out of their as fast as we can.

We've retired to the hotel again and it's not even 9 o'clock, we're so not rock and roll. She turns on the TV to watch the BBC world service news one again - she must know the stories off by heart now? After an hour of TV watching I can't stand it no more, the plan is coming appart. She mentioned she has a sore throat, so I say I'll venture out to try and find something thinking the outside, a fag and myself is much better than staying with her listening to her moan... will you be my wife?

I treck round Venice, but all the shops are shut and my minds wondering, with me considering whether i still want to do this, yes, no, chuck the ring in the river, no it was bloody expensive, etc, etc, etc?

Over an hour passes without joy, and disapointed i start making my way back to the hotel only to find "ah ha!" (no not the band) a vending machine selling chocolate. I bay one of her favourite bars and head back for the hotel with renewed vigor with a happy plan in my head but regretting the 6 smokes i've had in that last hour - I stink a bit.

I get back into the hotel room, shes there still watching the news and I go around to her side of the bed, "you know I'd do and walk anywhere for you right?" "Well I eventually found Chocolate!" This raises a smile. "Oh and I also found this..." and present the ring. A rather non plused look is returned, so I explain "it's an enagement ring, so will you marry me?".

Here is the first big suprise - no immediate answer, just a hug while commenting on me "being silly." She then puts the ring on, so I'm thinking ok this is a fairly reasonable sign. We discuss this a bit more, with me explaining its been custom designed, I've asked for rose gold because I noticed you wear gold jewellary but i wanted a red ting to go with her hair etc, expecting big brownie points - none are forthcoming so I just pursume I may get these tomorrow and I'm tired from all the walking anyway.

Monday comes and we prepare to travel back. The ring is still on, but it seems shes hiding the thing - the day is at least brighter, but once again the complaints of bad sleep and cold come thick and fast and its really starting to piss me off. The bus and plane journey back is painful, with me noticing how every couple coming back is lovey dovey, but shes reading a book! She's delighted to touch down, but knowing how she now hates suprises I'm thinking the suprise party me and the kids have arranged will go down like a sack of poo poo.

We get back to the house and shes rumbled the party before getting in the front room where everyone's hid so insists shes not going in their and goes and hides in the kitchen - good god women, I'd expect that from your kids not you. The guests are essentially her family, her friends and my mum and dad, so god knows why shes being like this, but I go in and chat to her relatives etc. I'm asked whether we're engaged and i'm honest and explain "I don't know, but she's wearing the ring so thats a good sign isn't it?"

Eventually a crowd gathers with her in the kitchen, yet she is most definately hiding the ring with her sleeve Andy Impy style. Someone has the cheek to ask "lets see the ring then" and so she flashes her hand and then takes it off inviting others to try it on in what was a rather disrespectful fashion. The strange behaviour continued, party guests felt uncomfortable and eventualy left (providing me with their congratulations and reassurance that she's come round in a day or so etc). I also left, pretty pissed off at the whole weekend, but boyed by Leicester 2nd half performance on the telly.

So the weeks gone on and I've heard little to nothing from her, despite meeting up for one of the kids concerts and me picking up the other kids last night and being round all evening. I'm been keeping quiet because i now haven't got a clue what shes thinking and what my position is and i fear if I start a conversation i will go off the handle. The more and more I think about it, the worse it gets - you know a thankyou, a sorry, a so about this engagement would be nice but nothing, its not been mentioned by her one bit. She hasn't even update Facebook with the photos or an updated status or anything.

Therefore, can i ask anyone who bothered reading all this, what should i do here? i know I need to talk to her, but I feel like she needs to make the first move as I've done all the running here so far. I can't believe I've gone from certain to wanting to marry and spend the rest of my life with her last week to this right horrible contempt feeling right now, but its as a result of feeling taking for granted, used, embrassed, unloved etc, etc, etc.

At least this rather large essay has proved slightly carthetic for me.

[FoxyPV]

Take the initiative and talk to her about as it's clearly doing your head in. Waiting on her will only build resentment on your behalf and she probably won't understand why you're so pissed.

Good luck.

[AoWW]

Awww, mate, I really feel for you - horrible situation to be in. Maybe she's just feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all but, as Foxy said, you really do need to talk to her about it.

I know we've only heard 'your side of the story' but her behaviour does seem a little odd. Talk to her... let rip if you need to... at least it should spark some conversation, because sitting there wondered what the fook is going on will only get you more and more uptight.

Oh, and the ring sounds beautiful, btw.