Never been to Venice, but Rome was badass. Where does the stench there come from? Is it like sewage that's dumped into the canal, or is it a trash collection problem?
I was there last October and the tourists were just starting to thin out a bit. No aweful smells (yet), but it was a little weird seeing all the preparations for flooding going on. They were setting up the raised wooden walkways everywhere (it looked like a bunch of little kindergarten lunchroom tables lined up together). St. Mark's Basilica was amazing and it's definitely a city that you should visit at least once in your lifetime, but only in short doses.
I went to Venice in the summer about 10 years ago. Horrible humidity and horrible stench. I would not recommend going there at least in the summer time.... Another think you have to remember is that Air conditioning (at least back then) was no where near as prevalent as it is here
I had no idea, the opinions on Venice. When I tour Europe I will probably cross this place off the list.
Venice is a beautiful city and I wouldn't cross it off your list. There are other cities I prefer in Europe (Rome is probably my favorite followed by London and then Paris), but Venice is worth seeing. I'm surprised so many people have had so many bad experiences there. I've been there twice and my wife and I both love it.
I've been to Venice a couple of times. Once was enough. It's pretty, historic, and worth a visit, but once is enough. Smelly and overpriced, as has been mentioned.
lol, the people look so happy there. Standing around, taking pictures and eating with water up to their knees.
True dat. Prague was very crowded, very hot (in May), and suprisingly expensive. Budapest, on the other hand, was a blast. Very scenic, good food, reasonable prices, and very nice people. I agree with those who said don't cross Venice off your list, but I wouldn't make it the centerpiece of a trip, either. Spend a day, maybe two, then move on to Florence, Lucca, or Siena.
Rome is awesome, for those who keep an eye out for the Gypsies. Which means, don't let them within fifteen feet of you. They WILL find a way into your pocket. London is also awesome but tales of how expensive don't make a dent on you until you're there. Really, really bad. But worth the visit. Wish I'd been to Paris. Gots to go.
When did you go? I'm wondering if things change that quickly.. I was in Prague in July 2004. It wasn't very crowded, and it was unbelievably cheap. Just crazy how cheap it was compared to the rest of the European cities I've visited..
I went this past summer. It was fairly expensive, not any moreso than other tourist European cities but Prague is EASILY most Tourist infested city in the world.
It does smell and there is no night life, but it was cool to see. I stayed on the mainland at a camp site for backpackers with a bunch of friends. It was right outside of the city. Man we had a blast there! Supposedly it is sinking more and more each year. Cool to see before its gone. Heh heh. Seriously though, those gondolas are f-ing expensive.
Florence is probably my favorite city in Italy after the Vatican. I love the art and museums, and the medieval feel.
Yup. I was there about 16 years ago when it happened. My family and I were on an art-history tour, and in the sunken conference room of our hotel watching a slide show of what we were going to see, when all of a sudden a trickle of water starts running down the stairs. As the slide show progressed, the trickle became stronger and stronger, and we had to cut it short in order not to fry the slide projector. By the time we finally made it out of our hotel to see the city, there were boards set up on stands where the sidewalks usually are so people could walk without getting TOO wet...
I thought they had some sort of massive works project started to help save the city -- off to google... Venice Tide Barrier Project (The Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico project) The latest thing approved is an inflatable dam -- good luck with that Venice. link
