Venice For 50th Wedding Anniversary

Pi_the_dog

Hi, in a couple of years it will be my parents 50th wedding anniversary and I want to give them an anniversary to remember. I know my mum has always wanted to go to Venice so I am looking for a holiday that would meet the needs of a 70 and 78 yearold.

My parents are both currently able bodied althought they do both have health issues that require them to take medication. My father is a nervous traveller so would be completely dependent upon my mother to do everything for him from getting him from A to B to getting him a cup of coffee.

I was thinking a 3 or 4 day trip would be enough,as any longer than that and dad would get homesick.

Is anyone able to recommend a travel company that would take them by the hand (metaphorically speaking) and lead them through their holiday? Take them on a couple of trips so they see the sights; make sure they get to go in a Gondola - that sort of thing?

Other than that the only option would be for me to go with them but who wants to be a gooseberry! It would also mean less money to spend on them having a truly 5 star holiday and I really want them to have an amazing experience.

Alan_Bowen

Citalia and Kirker would be two good companies to look at. Venice is the most romantic city I know but it can involve a fair amount of walking so choose a hotel carefully with easy access to a Vaporetto stop as you cannot just hop out into a taxi.(apart from a water taxi) Not so sure about the gondola ride, ludicrously expensive 80 to 100 Euros for 40 minutes, and not that easy to get into if you have any movement issues

Pi_the_dog

Thanks Alan, that's really helpful information. Thanks for taking the time to help. Are there any things you recommend they MUST see/do while they are there?

RichandJ

Pi_the_dog wrote: »

Thanks Alan, that's really helpful information. Thanks for taking the time to help. Are there any things you recommend they MUST see/do while they are there?

Just wander, in so far as they are capable. Go & look at the big tourist sites, San Marco, Doge's Palace etc, but then just pick an alleway at random & walk around. Venice is so small and (obviously) bounded by water it's difficult to get lost.

Do that when eating/drinking out as well, follow the locals & don't pay the silly prices in the busiest areas.

whitewing

I would have suggested you going with them. You don't have to be with them every minute of the day but it would take the responsibility off them.
Some of my relatives are very fuddy-duddyish out of their normal environment and would not ask for help from a tour guide; wondering whether to ask for help would make them worse than if no help were available.

Alan_Bowen

I am also tempted to suggest that you go with them. If you do, you can be certain they won't get lost, although all paths either lead, eventually, to St Marks Square or towards the railway station. The joy of Venice really is wandering around, I did have a lightweight guidebook and followed a route using my feet and the Vaporetto from the station eventually to St Marks Square. I also enjoyed going to Murano where you can watch the glass blowing and just wandering around the island which is a lot less busy.


If they are still romantic, they might like to visit Verona by train and go and see Romeo and Juliet's house ( not the real thing of course because the whole story is fiction) but the town itself is beautiful to walk around.


You will notice I have mentioned walking and wandering a lot, if they do have walking difficulties then the cobbles of Venice might not be the best place, but so long as they have reasonable health they should be fine. I do think however that this holiday is one to be organised by an operator, not only can they be met on arrival and have things organised for them, there will always be someone to call, in Venice, for help at any time.


In the evening there are two cafes in St Marks Square, Cafe Florian which has been around since 1720 and was popular with Casanova and Lavenna on the opposite side of the square have small orchestra's playing while you sit and sip a coffee. However, you need to be aware that coffee is around 10 Euros a cup, although they don't mind you sitting for an hour, it is well worth it, once at least.

Pi_the_dog

I haven't ruled-out going with them, I think you hit the nail on the head whitewing when you mentioned 'fuddy duddyish' but perhaps I am just being a worrier and am under-estimating them. They haven't got to be in their 70's without knowing a thing or two about life after all.


I've had a look at the two sites you suggested Alan and they, both the type of thing I had in mind. The choice of hotels is very good and I can organise little excursions for them as part of the package. I think I would be happiest if, as you say, they had a tour operator on whom they could call if they started to struggle with anything.


I feel happier now you've told me they will be able to wander around without getting lost :-)


Thank you everyone for all the wonderful advice, so kind of you.

poet123

We go to Venice twice each year and have stayed and done most things in the city, but always independently. I can't help with a tour operator but I can help with lots of other things. Hotels, restaurants, sights, what not to do.

To be truthful, I suspect what is spent on a specifically tailored tour would easily facilitate your costs and some left over if researched well.