Topic Wiki

Venice Overview
Venice is a gorgeous and romantic city that doesn't disappoint. It's a fantastic place to spend Shabbos because there are several points hotel options, a Chabad with several meal options, the ability to carry and because the biggest attraction of Venice - just simply walking the streets and bridges - is a perfect Shabbos activity which will keep you from just be sitting bored in a hotel room.

Trip Reports:
Dan, Avid Reader, MnM1130, ChAiM'l, aj26, Yosers1, jj1000, Hudi, Cbs, Eli, steve L, jmansour, VacationLover, Yehoshua, Mech, yg99, yls2011, ABC, AharonInIsrael, @Yehuda, shlonx  dvol, @Mootkim,Sam28,

Getting there and getting around:

How long should I go for?
There really aren't too many activities to do in Venice, so a 1-2 day trip could cover the must see/do sights, but the city is so beautiful that you won't regret a longer stay! Because the sights are mostly just walking around the streets, checking out the shops, etc. many people find spending just a Shabbos/weekend in Venice is enough to get their fill. Arrive on a Friday and leave Sunday evening and you'll get your fill. (Again, a longer stay rocks too!)

Travelling around Italy/Getting to Venice
Most often, if you're making a trip from USA to Venice, you're not just going to see Venice, but rather a few cities in Italy. When visiting Italy there are a few ways to travel around - trains, rent a car, or if you're going directly from one end of Italy (let's say Rome) to the other end (let's say Milan or Venice), it could be you'll want to fly.

Air:
If Venice is your first stop in Italy, then you'll likely be coming via air. VCE is the airport code, and the airport is not actually in Venice proper (no, the planes don't land in the canals). Rather, you'll have to take a water bus or water taxi from the airport to Venice proper. The water buses to/from the airport are run by a company called Alilaguna (buses here aren't run by the city), take around an hour to get to San Marco Square (the main points hotel location) and cost 14euro. You can buy a roundtrip in advance for 25euro. Private water taxis take around 1/2 hour, but are a lot more expensive. Because people arrive at VCE from many different locations, it's not practical to discuss the different routes you can take to get here.

Train:
If your Italy trip starts in a different city in Italy, then you may want to look into travelling via rail. There are 2 main train companies in Italy - TrenItalia and Treno Italo. Rates vary on a bunch of factors and neither site is fantastically designed, so check them out and ask for some help here if you need. Alternatively you can use loco2.com which is an easy to use site all in English it has all the options and they don’t charge anybooking fees. The express train Rome-Venice takes about 3:45 hours and the overnight takes 5.5-6.5 hours. As opposed to the airport, St. Lucia Train Station is actually in Venice proper. Once you arrive, you can take a Vaporetto to your desired location (again, likely San Marco Square). See "Getting around Venice" below for Vaporetto prices. You can also take a private water taxi, which won't have any stops, but will cost a lot more.

Car Rental:
If your Italy trip starts in a different city in Italy, then besides for taking trains, you may find that a car rental suits your needs better, especially if you plan on hitting up several cities along the way as taking a train usually means having to get a cab or bus to/from each train station from your hotel. That time/cost plus the cost of the trains may cause you to decide on a car rental instead. Since it's Europe, expect a manual car unless you pay more for an automatic. Driving in Italy may bother you if you're not super comfortable driving, but in terms of driving in Venice, don't be concerned. You'll be coming from a highway (which is just like highway driving back home), you'll get off onto normal sized/paved roads and within a few minutes, will likely be at your car rental dropoff - outside of Venice proper. There are no cars in Venice (although there is a Hertz in Venice proper that you could actually drive to and drop your car off, but rates at that location are super expensive), so you will likely drop your car off near the Venice-Mestre Train Station - not the St. Lucia station that's actually in Venice - but a second train station that's just outside Venice proper. From Mestre station, a 10 minute, 2 euro train ride will get you into St. Lucia station and from there you can follow the options listed above to get to your hotel.

Getting around Venice
If you're staying in the Jewish Ghetto or near San Marco Square (we'll get to where to stay soon), you'll be within walking distance (max 1/2 hour) of all the main sites in Venice. Even still, many people like to take a public water bus, known as a Vaporetto, to travel down the canals. You can buy tickets at many Vaparetto stops. An individual one way ride costs 7 euro, but there are also 24/48/72 hour passes that cost 20/30/40 euro, respectively. If you're between the ages of 14-29, you can buy a 72 hour Youth Pass for just 20 euro. It's possible that you may need to first purchase a "Rolling Venice" guidebook (should be available at the ticket counter) for 4 euro before they'll let you buy the Youth pass, but you can find that out at the ticket counter and even 24 euro is a great deal. There's also a special roundtrip beach ticket to Lido that costs 10 euro. Do some math to see what kind of pass will work best for you.


Where to stay:

There are 2 main areas where people normally stay: 1) The Jewish Ghetto, which is where the Shuls/restaurants are, as well as some Kosher hotels, but no points hotels and 2) San Marco Square, about a 1/2 hour walk from the Ghetto, but where most of the points hotels are. The walk is very nice, and helps you accomplish the "activity" of seeing the streets while on the way to your destination. The 30 minute walk may hinder your desire to make it to Shul for all Tefillos. YMMV ;)

Here are some places that are discussed in this thread:

NameAreaMore InfoComments
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Pardes RimonimJewish GhettoWebsiteKosher hotel
Carnival Place<10 minute walk to the GhettoWebsiteNicest hotel near the Ghetto
Locanda Del GhettoJewish GhettoWebsiteKosher hotel
Westin Europa and ReginaSan Marco SquareWebsiteSPG Cat. 6; 20-25K/night. Beautiful hotel with marble lobby and a luxurious feel.
Comfort Hotel DianaSan Marco SquareWebsite10K Choice/night. Definitely dated, but kinda rustic in that regard. Cheapest points hotel option in the points hotel-lacking city of Venice.
Grand Hotel Dei Dogi, Autograph Collection<10 minute walk to the GhettoWebsite45K Marriott/night.
JW Marriott Venice Resort & SpaNOT able to walk to the Ghetto, But Free ShuttleWebsite40K Marriott/night.
"Get your own place"AnywhereAirBNB, VRBO, HomeAwayRenting an apartment can be a great option in Venice especially if your family is large enough that you would otherwise have to get a few hotel rooms. You can find apartments near the Ghetto, and with meals at Chabad, this can definitely be a cheaper option than a hotel.

There are 2 other SPG properties, Hotel Danieli and The Gritti Palace, but there are some downsides to them. Both are SPG Cat. 7 which means you'll be paying a premium to stay there. Danieli is in the Square, but in Dan's TR you'll see that he pointed out there's no manual door, which poses an issue on Shabbos. Dan also writes that Gritti is 10 minutes away from the Square. The Gritti has  undergone extensive renovations and is now fresh and on par with Aman. Many consider it worth it the distance from Chabad. There are very few base rooms, so upgrades are easy to come by.


What to do:

As said a few times so far, the highlight of a trip to Venice is walking the streets/canals and checking out the boundless shops that line the streets. But, there are of course some actual activities that one can do, although it's hard to say that any are "must-do"s.

Attractions & Activities
NameMore InfoComments
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Doge's PalaceWebsiteYou can get a classic tour of the palace, or you can opt for the Secret Itineraries tour, which will take you down to the dungeons where the prison was and up to the top floors to see offices, a torture chamber, and a court room while listening to the story of Casanova's supposed escape. The Secret Itineraries tour does not cover the main rooms in the palace, but you are free to walk around afterwards on your own.
Jewish Museum/ Ghetto TourWebsiteThe Jewish Museum offers tours of the museum and Ghetto. While the tours of the Ghetto in Rome are highly recommended by DDFers (and many would say a trip to Rome without a tour is nuts), there is not too much talk on DDF about the tours of the Venice Ghetto. Take that as you will. The tour is closer to an hour and costs 10 euro. Without the tour, you can't get in to see the nice Shuls that are not open that season.
Gondola RideN/AYou'll see gondolas everywhere you look. There are a few places where can get one that will take you on a 5 minute ride just going across the width of the canal for a couple of euro (called a "Traghetto"). There are options to get a private, 45-60 minute ride that usually costs around 90 euro. And finally, there's an in between option where you'll be in your own gondola among a group of others that are in their own gondolas. Some companies offer music and a serenade. Do some Googling to see different prices. A gondola ride will give you an additional "real feel" of Venice, but passing on it to save some money isn't a crazy idea. Walking the canals yourself is quite amazing.
San Marco SquareN/AWhether your hotel is in this area or not, this is a nice stop on your walks. A huge, open square with restaurants and shops overlooked by the large church and clock tower. During the day, you'll see people feeding pigeons, and at night, you'll see plenty of street vendors trying to get you to buy a rose for DW or a light up flying saucer. You can go up the bell tower for 8 euro for a beautiful view and you can get the very interesting audio guide for an additional 4 euro.
Lido BeachN/AIf you're in Venice for a few days, perhaps you'll enjoy a quick Vaporetto ride to Lido, where a 10 minute walk will get you onto a free public beach. Warning: Remember that this is a European beach.
Padua                ??                 Synagogue and cemetery dating to the 1500's.

Luxury Launch's Venice Guide nice list of different things to do in Venice


Shuls/Shabbos:

NameMore InfoComments
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Jewish Community of VeniceWebsiteIn the Ghetto, there are 2 community Shuls - one used during the summer and the other during the winter - that are both right next to each other. There are daily Minyanim.
ChabadWebsite


Google Doc to sign up for meals
In the Ghetto, Chabad has their own Shul/Beis Medrash that acts as the Yeshiva for the Chabad students as well as a Shul during daily Minyanim. They also own a storefront that acts as the Chabad house. Chabad owns the fleishig restaurant, Gam Gam, as well as the pizza shop, Gam Gam Goodies, that are described below. On Shabbos, Chabad hosts several meal options. First of all, you could order takeout in advance and pick it up or have it delivered to your hotel. But where's the fun in that? For meals at Chabad, the options have changed as of June 1, 2015:

1) A Meal is offered after Davening both on Friday night and Shabbos day Kiddush - no reservations necessary. This is similar to the previous "free meals" that Chabad used to offer. The meal takes place in the Shul after davening. The meal provides the opportunity to sit at a big meal with Jews from all over the world with all different types of backgrounds, which many found to be an awesome experience. Please note that the "free meals" may be a little more limited in terms of options and quantities of food.

*Pre-reserved meals*
In the old system, there was only 1 way to reserve your own table, but now there are 2 ways. Meals can not be divided between the two locations and are served at any time you want after Davening. Reservations for both options can be made by emailing info@jewishvenice.org and including the calendar date of the Shabbos you will be there and the names/emails of each attendee, as well as choosing one of the below options:

2) Shabbos in the Gallery - This option existed under the old system. Three meals at a private table in a storefront near Gam Gam that normally functions as an art gallery. 90 euro per person

3) Luxury1 Shabbos at Gam Gam Restaurant - Three meals at your private table, with more of a luxury atmosphere & meal, including more food choices, than the Gallery. Minimum donation is 126 euro per person.
Ghimmel GardensWebsite


Food:

NameMore InfoComments
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Gam GamWebsiteA nice fleishig restaurant, owned by the Chabad Rabbi. Some food is better than others, the service is pretty classic, and the prices are a bit above reasonable. But hey, it's Kosher food in Venice! You can eat outside literally at the edge of the canal, which is pretty sweet unless it's cold at night. Reservations are recommended as it can get crowded.
Gam Gam GoodiesN/ALocated just a few steps from Gam Gam, this is a small storefront that serves as a pizza shop (no seating unfortunately, but you can find benches further along in the Ghetto and are welcome to sit in the Chabad house storefront to eat). You might also find other foods like falafel, chocolates, packaged deli and fresh baked goods, which can be great for breakfast (and deli and rolls can be great for a cheaper dinner or to take food with you to your next destination that might not have Kosher food). Pizza is priced fairly and is tasty.
Volpe BakeryWebsiteRight across the alley from Gam Gam Goodies is a bakery serving fresh breads and pastries. According to the link, it's under supervision from the Chief Rabbi of Venice (not the Chabad Rabbi), however, DDFers question the Kashrus here. As of July 2014, the Chazzan at the Italian Shul said he goes into the bakery to light the fire every morning and therefore you can eat there. The place is open on Shabbos, but it must be owned by a non-Jew (or else how could it get a hashgacha?) So, there are some concerns and you may want to check into the Kashrus before you go, but the locals sure make it seem like it's fine.
FrulalaWebsiteFresh fruit smoothies that the locals will tell you are Kosher as long as you get the water-based versions. There are 2 locations - a storefront and a kiosk - that are both on the main walk from San Marco Square to the Ghetto. The drinks are tasty and refreshing, while being reasonably priced. They also offer free shotglass-sized samples, which are a great way to get a quick thirst quencher while walking!
Ghimel GardenTheir FB pageFrom Hershelsdeals Gimmal Garden is a real restaurant, Gam Gam goodies doesn't even have chairs, and is officially a bakery, not a restaurant. so you can't even compare. GamGam goodies opens at 7AM and sells breakfast, Gimmal Garden only opens at 10AM and closes 10PM
Gimmal Garden also offers Shabbos meals, Friday night is meat and Shabbos day is dairy.The food at Gimmal is excellent, they have Pizza, Fish dishes, Pasta, salads, Falafel  ETC....

« Last edited by sam28 on September 12, 2023, 12:02:41 PM »

Author Topic: Venice Master Thread  (Read 898358 times)

Offline SRM

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #1360 on: August 06, 2014, 12:08:53 PM »
I remember reading in a few different threads about downloading a map to your phone that you can have access to without wifi or data. I can't seem to find the details anymore...can someone point me in the right direction of where I can find out how to do that? TIA

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #1361 on: August 06, 2014, 12:09:41 PM »
I remember reading in a few different threads about downloading a map to your phone that you can have access to without wifi or data. I can't seem to find the details anymore...can someone point me in the right direction of where I can find out how to do that? TIA
Google maps for android (and possibly ios, but I don't have an iphone so I'm not sure).

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #1362 on: August 06, 2014, 12:15:15 PM »
Google maps for android (and possibly ios, but I don't have an iphone so I'm not sure).

I have an android. Thanks.

Did you use this and did you find it helpful?

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #1363 on: August 06, 2014, 12:39:35 PM »
I have an android. Thanks.

Did you use this and did you find it helpful?
Yes and Yes. For any more questions on this you should go to a Tech Talk thread like this one:

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #1364 on: August 06, 2014, 12:53:53 PM »
You could load Google Maps walking directions when you're at the hotel with wifi and then the map will still work when you go outside. The little blue circle will even follow you w/o data.

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #1365 on: August 06, 2014, 12:55:11 PM »
You could load Google Maps walking directions when you're at the hotel with wifi and then the map will still work when you go outside. The little blue circle will even follow you w/o data.
True, because that works with GPS.

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #1366 on: August 06, 2014, 01:17:55 PM »
You could load Google Maps walking directions when you're at the hotel with wifi and then the map will still work when you go outside. The little blue circle will even follow you w/o data.

Great! thanks to both of you.

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #1367 on: August 07, 2014, 11:07:56 AM »
Hi can anyone help me make my decision (not really making it but helping me) I have booked tickets on alitalia from rome to venice they changed the flight timing so they allow me to cancel the tickets now I see the train schedule and would like to know if there is a sleeper train from rome to venice overnight so I can save a lot with that for example a night hotel and some taxi to and from the airport i see a lot of people talking about the IC NOTTE 774 train but I don't see anyone saying how exactly the Train looks like beds couches seats how many people my party is me and my wife and a baby if anyone has more information please can help me

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #1368 on: August 07, 2014, 11:26:00 AM »
Hi can anyone help me make my decision (not really making it but helping me) I have booked tickets on alitalia from rome to venice they changed the flight timing so they allow me to cancel the tickets now I see the train schedule and would like to know if there is a sleeper train from rome to venice overnight so I can save a lot with that for example a night hotel and some taxi to and from the airport i see a lot of people talking about the IC NOTTE 774 train but I don't see anyone saying how exactly the Train looks like beds couches seats how many people my party is me and my wife and a baby if anyone has more information please can help me
Having only taken the fast train, I can't comment on the night train. Some people here have taken it, but I don't remember who. They said it was comfortable and nice, but I personally would rather spend the 3:45 on the train during the day than almost 6 hours over night. With all the stopping and starting I doubt I'd be able to sleep much anyway. Even if you did sleep the entire ride it's still under 6 hours which might be less than you'd like anyway.

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #1369 on: August 07, 2014, 11:34:27 AM »
Having only taken the fast train, I can't comment on the night train. Some people here have taken it, but I don't remember who. They said it was comfortable and nice, but I personally would rather spend the 3:45 on the train during the day than almost 6 hours over night. With all the stopping and starting I doubt I'd be able to sleep much anyway. Even if you did sleep the entire ride it's still under 6 hours which might be less than you'd like anyway.
So basically u say I should stick with my flights or I should rather take the express Train

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #1370 on: August 07, 2014, 11:36:40 AM »
So basically u say I should stick with my flights or I should rather take the express Train
Right. The train was quick and efficient and gets you from city center to city center. In Venice this means not having to take an 80 minute Alilaguna ride to/from VCE which is a big help.

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #1371 on: August 07, 2014, 12:49:52 PM »
What's the story with havdalah?

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #1372 on: August 07, 2014, 12:53:34 PM »
What's the story with havdalah?
We heard it at the Italian shul which was actually in the community center.

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #1373 on: August 07, 2014, 12:56:03 PM »
Was it right after marriv? Does my wife need to come to marriv to hear havdalah?

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #1374 on: August 07, 2014, 01:16:03 PM »
Was it right after marriv? Does my wife need to come to marriv to hear havdalah?
Yes and yes.

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #1375 on: August 07, 2014, 02:05:00 PM »
Does anyone know if I take a train from Venice to lake como if there is any lockers in the train stations (throughout italy) to keep your luggage for the day?

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #1376 on: August 26, 2014, 10:59:36 AM »
Just got back and I'd like to share some notes.

Stayed in Westin and asked Concierge about getting to Murano. He gave me two options, Vaperetti & Taxi. Thanks to DanDeals, I asked him about a boat hired by a glass company and he said he could arrange that but it would take 10 minutes. I said no problem. I was expecting to be picked up, along with other people from other hotels, by a company owned boat. Instead, we got our private taxi. It was one of the highlights of our trip. Took us down Grand Canal, smaller canals and directly to glass factory. Once at the factory, we were given a private demo on how the glass is made. Then a salesman took us around the showroom. (Found a 6000 Euro set of 6 glasses that we liked.)  After we told him that it's not what we were looking for he took us to a cheap gift shop of theirs. When he turned his back, we walked out. We took the vaporetti back.

Now re Shabbos @ Chabad.
They need a major expansion in the shul. Could not breath in there. Most of the people actually made a minyan Friday night on the street. Unless you daven in the Spanish shul (about an hour earlier) you will have to wait for the second shift, at least. We ate in the Gallery and when we finished about 11:30, there were still people waiting for the third shift.

Shabbos morning was also unbearably hot & stuffed in the chabad shul. So I davened in the Spanish shul. After davening the locals prepared a kiddush. Very interesting food. An experience.

Now, about the Chabad Shabbos Food. Totally not what I expected and a disappointment. Fish was a tuna can with tomato sauce. Soup was a quarter of a bowl and plain chicken soup. Main was a bowl of rice with two small pieces was meat and 3/8 of a chicken. Dessert was 2 tiny pieces of cake. This same amount was served for 2 or 4 people. Shabbos day: Fish was half a slice of salmon, No eggs/liver, Chulent consisted of Overnight potatos and some slivers of meat. No beans. Included a burnt taste.
Didn't bother going back for Shalas Seudos. Was told that we were smart.

This was in the gallery for $100 per person. One good thing, plenty of ice, diet coke and ok wine. The only advantage of the gallery is that you can start and finish your meal whenever you want. Disadvantage is that you get zero of the atmosphere. Outside there was singing and dancing. After I finished in the gallery I joined in.

I heard that the Rebizin was in America, so maybe that's why it was like that. I don't know. Everyone raves about it. I don't have a clue why.

During the week, GamGam Meat & the Pizza shop were tasty and plentiful.

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #1377 on: August 26, 2014, 11:18:29 AM »
Now re Shabbos @ Chabad.
They need a major expansion in the shul. Could not breath in there. Most of the people actually made a minyan Friday night on the street. Unless you daven in the Spanish shul (about an hour earlier) you will have to wait for the second shift, at least. We ate in the Gallery and when we finished about 11:30, there were still people waiting for the third shift.

Shabbos morning was also unbearably hot & stuffed in the chabad shul. So I davened in the Spanish shul. After davening the locals prepared a kiddush. Very interesting food. An experience.

Now, about the Chabad Shabbos Food. Totally not what I expected and a disappointment. Fish was a tuna can with tomato sauce. Soup was a quarter of a bowl and plain chicken soup. Main was a bowl of rice with two small pieces was meat and 3/8 of a chicken. Dessert was 2 tiny pieces of cake. This same amount was served for 2 or 4 people. Shabbos day: Fish was half a slice of salmon, No eggs/liver, Chulent consisted of Overnight potatos and some slivers of meat. No beans. Included a burnt taste.
Didn't bother going back for Shalas Seudos. Was told that we were smart.

This was in the gallery for $100 per person. One good thing, plenty of ice, diet coke and ok wine. The only advantage of the gallery is that you can start and finish your meal whenever you want. Disadvantage is that you get zero of the atmosphere. Outside there was singing and dancing. After I finished in the gallery I joined in.

I heard that the Rebizin was in America, so maybe that's why it was like that. I don't know. Everyone raves about it. I don't have a clue why.

During the week, GamGam Meat & the Pizza shop were tasty and plentiful.
I totally didn't have you're experience at the Gallery. I got more food, and a normal, non-burn chulent. There was plenty of food and they brought more when we asked. Shalosh seudos was also great due to the plethora of salads, dips, and challah. True, there isn't much atmosphere, but we were with friends so all we cared about was the air conditioning and the spacious table. We did spend Friday night at GamGam (we davened at the Spanish shul). Besides for getting seated first, we were outside, hot, and very crowded.  Once it got dark it was very hard to see anything.

Too bad you're experience was not a good one. I'd still recommend the Gallery for anyone going in the summer.

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #1378 on: August 26, 2014, 11:51:15 AM »
I heard that the Rebizin was in America, so maybe that's why it was like that.
Could be because I haven't read any other reports like yours.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Re: Venice Master Thread
« Reply #1379 on: August 26, 2014, 12:12:06 PM »
Trip report:
Arrived Friday afternoon by train. We didn't take Trenitalia, but Treno Italo, a new-ish private competitor. Definitely nicer than Trenitalia: They don't use Termini, but smaller stations which is much faster. The trains are new, clean, and offer free but slow wifi. We walked to Gam Gam with luggage to get lunch rather than going to Westin and back. Even though it was only 2 PM, the Rabbi said they aren't serving anymore (despite that the website said they close 2 hours before Shabbat). We went to Gam Gam treats, where they were almost out of everything already. As we passed by Gam Gam on the way back, we saw people that were also asking for a table without a reservation had been seated. So apparently you need to negotiate for a table or you won't get anything.
Took water bus 1 from train station to San Marco. Very easy walk to Westin. Stayed on free night certificates from an SPG promo, but we got upgraded to a room with a grand canal view. I would definitely prefer a regular room on the grand canal to a suite upgrade- a suite you can get anywhere, but a grand canal view is specific to Venice.
Shabbat davened at Chabad at night, also in the courtyard- but it was nice. Ate in the gallery, which was worth the money so that you can eat right away and not feel rushed. The food wasn't amazing, but we weren't expecting it to be 5 star food.
The walk back took about 40 minutes but it was very nice.
Shabbat day- ravened at the great synagogue. It was definitely an interesting experience, but the seating arrangements are a bit off-putting. Men and women face each other, both looking in to the center of the shul. There are mechitzas, but still an adjustment.
Ate at gam gam after shabbat- my tip, stick to the israeli food. We got some pastas and it was actually terrible. On the other hand, the israeli food was delicious. Also, definitely make a reservation!
Also, there is a bakery in the ghetto that was open on Shabbat, apparently they have a shtar mechira, but when we went back on Sunday midday, they were closed. Possibly they close midday. If you have a phone, call places before you go because this happened to us quite often in Italy- many places were either closed for all of August, or closed midday.
Did the "fish pedicure", where you put your feet in a tub and little fish eat the dead skin- takes getting used to at first, but was a good experience.
San Marco square was very touristy during the day, but nice to listen to music at night.
Spent most of the trip just walking around and enjoying the atmosphere. Had a bunch of stuff planned, but didn't feel the need.
For third night, checked out of Westin (certificates were used up) and booked a hotel through rocket miles. Got a promo for 7,000 AA miles for one night- Hotel Dei Dragommani. Very close to Westin, advertised as a 4 star hotel. It might have been 4 stars 10 years ago. Peeling paint in the bathrooms, hallways, etc. It's hard to downgrade from the Westin!
Took alilaguna back to airport, check in and security were a breeze, and the lounge for Star Alliance, Marco Polo lounge, was actually not bad considering it was a contract lounge.