Directions in Venice, Italy

[NanciM]

Could someone give me specific directions from the Santa Lucia train station to the Marittima cruise station?
We are coming from Rome via train and would like to find the cheapest transportation from the train to the cruise pier. Does the cruise (HAL) line have a free shuttle from Piazzale Roma to the ship?

[Mike Andrews]

The number 82 Waterbus runs between Santa Lucia Station (Ferrovia) and San Basilio which is right next to Stazione Marittima. [url="http://WWW.actv.it"]WWW.actv.it[/url] and [url="http://WWW.vtp.it"]WWW.vtp.it[/url] should be of help to you.

[cruisintwinsmom]

Mike, You have been so helpful. Is there a good map that you can suggest for Venice?

Also, how do you go about choosing a gondalier?
(Is this too OT?)

Thanks for all your help.

[wwinfl91]

If you want a map online or you can download a version that will run on your PC visit the web site below.

[url="http://venicexplorer.net/"]http://venicexplorer.net/[/url]

I downloaded my original version when we were going on the Golden last summer and still bring it up on my system occasionally just for fun.

Have a great next cruise.

HAL Noordam 3/97 West Carib
Hal Westerdam 12/97 East Carib
HAL Veendam 11/98 East Carib
Hal Zaandam 12/00 South Carib
HAL Veendam 10/01 Panama Canal
RCCL Enchantment 09/02 W.Carib
Costa Atlantica 12/02 E.Carib
HAL Noordam 03/03 S.Carib
Golden Princess 07/03 Med
Celebrity Zenith 12/03 W.Carib
HAL Maasdam 05/04 Canada

[Hornblower]

You also have the cheap alternative of walking to [B]Piazzale Roma[/B] and boarding the shuttle bus.

On exiting the [B]Santa Lucia[/B] railway station you’ll see in front of you the Grand Canal [B](Canal Grande)[/B]. Go left and you'll see a large marble stoned bridge [B](Ponte Scalzi)[/B], go over this bridge and do a sharp righthand turn and go along the canal [B](Fondamenta S. Simeon Picolo)[/B]. You are now directly opposite the railway station. You’ll come up to another bridge, a rather smaller one called [B]Ponte de la Croce[/B], still on the Grand Canal, but now this paved area is called [B]Fondamenta de la Croce[/B]. Keep going straight, go over another small bridge called [B]Ponte del Monastero[/B], still on the Grand Canal, you’ll come to a couple of steps on your left, up these is [B]Piazzale Roma[/B]. Your shuttle bus should be directly ahead on the other side of the square. The other option when you get to [B]Ponte del Monastero[/B] is to turn left along a side canal [B](Rio Novo)[/B] and then over your next bridge on your right [B](Ponte del Prefetto)[/B]. This bridge takes you to a path between souvenir stalls and up steps to [B]Piazzale Roma[/B]. From here turn left and in the corner of the square there should be the shuttle buses for the cruise terminal [B](Venezia Terminal Passeggeri)[/B]. Depending on the day there could be several shuttle buses from different cruise lines. HAL should have their’s marked at the front of the bus. Shuttle buses are free, and they’ll take all your luggage, no problem.

That simple.

Cheers

[Mike Andrews]

I have pocket size Italian Touring Club 1:5000 City Centre map of Venice which includes the water bus routes which you will be able to get in Venice. As for hiring a Gondola you will see no shortage of Gondolas and I would recommend that you engage in some haggling before taking a ride and ensure you confim how long the ride will be.

[ewong]

Mike,

How much and how long is a typical gondola ride? Do they speak English?
Also, is it easy to get around in Venice without joining a tour?

Thanks.

[Mike Andrews]

Venice is an easy place to get about either on foot or by waterbus. If you are walking, there are yellow signs showing you the main Routes such as the Rialto,St Marks Square,Ferrovia etc and part of the fun of Venice is wandering around the alleyways off the beaten track.
I have never taken a Gondola ride,but have heard of others that thought it was too short and too expensive and others who thought it was the most perfect way to remember a trip to Venice and well worth the splurge.

Mike

[cruisintwinsmom]

Thanks for your help, Mike.

Thought it might be a splurge on the gondala ride, but would be an experience we would get no where else (except Las Vegas-but would it be the same). Have two teenage daughters and thought they would enjoy.

Happy Sailing!

[cupcake7645]

We haven't been on our gondola ride yet, but we heard about the gondola seranade from this board a few months ago. The 6 of us are booked for mid-June.
It sounds like fun, and your daughters would probably enjoy it.
[url="http://www.affiliate.viator.com/brochure/results_2.jsp?CONTINENT=Europe&COUNTRY=Italy&CITY=Venice®ION=Veneto+and+Venice&PRODUCT_TYPE=Sightseeing&PRODUCT=SITours_NEW&ISO_3166=it&AUID=967"]Gondola Seranade[/url]

[wwinfl91]

Here's a link to a site with an article about Gondola's in Venice. Also back up to this gentleman's home page. It is one of the best sources of information on Venice that I found when I was researching the web.

[url="http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/gallivanting_by_gondola.htm"]http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/gallivanting_by_gondola.htm[/url]

Here's the main link

[url="http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/index.html"]http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/index.html[/url]

There are other cities under the main europeforvisitors site but the Venice site just blew me away when I found it before our cruise.

Have a great next cruise.

HAL Noordam 3/97 West Carib
Hal Westerdam 12/97 East Carib
HAL Veendam 11/98 East Carib
Hal Zaandam 12/00 South Carib
HAL Veendam 10/01 Panama Canal
RCCL Enchantment 09/02 W.Carib
Costa Atlantica 12/02 E.Carib
HAL Noordam 03/03 S.Carib
Golden Princess 07/03 Med
Celebrity Zenith 12/03 W.Carib
HAL Maasdam 05/04 Canada

[NanciM]

Thank you very much to all who responded to my question. Hornblower, your directions are so precise that I feel like I'm walking there now. It's wonderful to have this source for information!

HAPPY CRUISING TO ALL!!! Nanci

[Hornblower]

Nanci, at the train station just before you leave the building there are two exits that will take you to the Grand Canal, go towards the doors on the left. At the right of these doors you should see a small tourism information office, here you can ask for a free map of Venice. The ladies there speak English. It may not be the most detailed map but good enough to get your bearings. It shows all the waterbus stops and coordinates for museums and the Stazione Marittima (Venezia Terminal Passeggeri) where your cruise ship will be. You may also be able to pick up a booklet on places to eat. I think it is called “Venezia a Tavola – Appetizing Venice”. It is in Italian and English and it is the official guide to restaurants, typical venues, bars and nightspots. Hopefully it is still available.

And as Mike Andrews said: “...part of the fun of Venice is wandering around the alleyways off the beaten track...” Quite true, it is the best way to see Venice.

Have a great cruise and enjoy Venice.

Cheers