A Month In Venice

The region of Trentino is part of the western Dolomites and is very well organized from an Italian standpoint. Certainly this place is beautiful with a hefty and deep tradition of deep studies and containing some of the best academic institutions in northern Italy.

One of the better places to see in this region is the town of Rovereto which is a fantastic place if you are wine lover. The number of vineyards here rivals some parts of Tuscany. Obviously the types of wine grown here are different then in Tuscany but that certainly adds to its charm. I am always drawn to places with vineyards for some reason. This city is also noteworthy in that this was the first city in which Mozart played in Italy. Of course to honor that event each year the city puts on a Mozart festival which many musicians and fans come to visit and soak up the atmosphere.

Since this is a border town from Austria and Italy this place has seen its fair share of war. Having a famous Castello or Castle which is now a war museum. The church bells ring 100 times at night in order to remember all the dead in all the wars that have taken place since the city was founded. At the foot of the castle lies Piazza del Podesta where there is a memorial to all of the fascists that died during the second world war.

Rovereto had many famous residents including the futurist Fortunato Depero who died in 1960 and left the town the Museo Depero. This small museum was designed by the artist himself as was supposed to be dedicated to the futurist movement. Another famous resident is the great archeologist Paolo Orsi who donated many of his findings to the cities Museo Civico . This museum boasts having one of the greatest collection of archeological films in existence. This is also the third oldest museum in the country and contains many of the archeological findings of this man.

The western Dolomites are sure a sight to see on your travels through the Veneto region of italy. Containing many small towns with great historical significance you can see many sites that are just dripping in history. The wealth of this region is not only a natural one but also a historical one as well.

The Dolomites is the mountain range that is outside of Venice. In the Veneto region this part of northerner Italy is one of the more spectacular sites you can see if you are a nature lover. The Dolomites are part of the Italian alps and was only incorporated into Italy until after the first world war.

Because the Dolomites are on the Italian alps this is a mecca for many skiers who choose to vacation here during the winter months. In the summer you have the mountain climbers who make it a challenge to scale the many steep ridges that make up the Alps.

Because this was once a transport route between Italy and the rest of Europe there are many mountain passes that can be walked by foot, driven by car or even by train if one should choose to do so.

Many sporting events take place around this area and during the summer you can see many free climbers trying to scale mountains without any help from gear. Free climbing was invented here when a 17 year old Georg Winkler scaled Die Vajolettürme. While I would not recommended doing this for the average tourist it is certainly something to look out for and if you are lucky enough to see one of these acts in person then take the time to  see if the person actually makes it.

You can visit many villages in the area including Arabba, Oritzer and San Martino di Castrozza to name just a few. Most of the villages here though will not be pure Italian as they will have some influences from the surrounding areas. Rather you will see a mix of cultures of Austrian, Swiss and Italian that pervades all of the surrounding valleys and hills in the area.

Regardless if you are backpacking through Italy it is vital that you check out this area as it contains many wonders that are not to be missed.

The city of Mestre is on the mainland that connects to the Venetian lagoon. For many travelers to Venice you will not stay in this part of Italy. This is not really such a bad thing as there really is not too much to do and see in this city. Rather Mestre is more of a jumping off point to get to Venice.

So then why devote an entire blog post to this non descript city? Well for many that want a
cheap romantic vacation in Venice but do not want to spend loads of money you have the option of staying in Mestre. Mestre caters to the budget Venice traveler as many of the hotels are a fraction of the cost then what you will stay in Venice. So you see a romantic stay in Venice is possible if you are willing to venture out a bit and stay in the less glamorous sections of this lagoon.

Here are just some of the places you can stay in Mestre that is sure to be kind ot your wallet.

Bw Hotel Bologna
Via Fiave 214, Mestre, VE 30175
One of the better rated hotels this is a sure bet to have your cake and eat it as well while you enjoy your stay.

Ambasciatori Hotel
Corso Del Popolo, Mestre, VE 30172
Another fine establishment that is sure to please many if not most. Certainly worth a visit if you are in the area.

Hotel Paris
Via Venezia, 11, , Mestre, Veneto 30171
I have not heard any negative reviews of this hotel yet so I am very confident that you should enjoy your stay here.

Kappa Hotel
Via Trezzo 8, Mestre, VE 30174
A quaint place that is sometimes well received by some. Since the reviews are hit and miss I might venture someplace else but it is worth mentioning.

There are many other places to stay because as I said that Mestre caters to the budget traveler and there seems to be an endless supply of those in the world. Besides who wants to spend an enormous amount of money when your eyes are closed anyways? I am sure you understand what I mean. If you are planning on going to Venice at some point make sure you check out Mestre as it will sure save your wallet some bucks.

The Cannaregio sesteri is one of the most convenient in the whole of Venice. This has its benefits and its drawbacks. Since this is such a convenient place to sleep many of the hotels are easily forgettable as they receive much tourist traffic. Also I would like to point out that many of the restaurants here cater to tourists so they are a bit overprices and mediocre at best. I am not saying you will not find some memorable gems in the mix but I do believe that they will be hard to find if you do not know any locals to show you the way. If you are coming by train then this is one region you should really check out as this sesteri is bordered by both the train station and the famous Rialto bridge on the other end.

Below is a listing of some of the more notable places to stay in this region of Venice.

Al Vagon
Cannaregio 5619 - Campiello Riccardo Selvatico
This hotel is central to the sesteri so it is very convient for any traveler who wishes to see the sights that are located within walking distance.
Double Rates: 60 to 110 Euros
Phone: +39 041 528 5626

Alloggi Gerotto Calderon
Cannaregio 283, Campo S. Geremia
This is a family owned and operated hotel consisting of only 12 rooms. They have been in
operations for some time and with the reputation that they maintain I would say they will continue to have a steady stream of customers.
Double Rates: 50 to 85 Euros
Phone: +39 04 171 5562
http://www.casagerottocalderan.com

Ariel Silva
Cannaregio 1391/A - Calle della Masena
This hotel is just off the main street of the sesteri and it is within walking distance of just about everything you might want to see in the city.
Double Rates: 60 to 105 Euros
Phone: +39 041 714 773
http://www.arielsilva.it/

Bernardi Semenzato
Cannaregio 4366 - Calle de l’Oca
This hotel is just steps away from the famous San Marco Plaza!
Double Rates: 50 to 95 Euros
Phone: +39 041 522 7257

Guerrini
Cannaregio 265 - Calle de le Procuratie
This is a pretty much of a standard hotel with little in the way of character as this hotel prides itself on its professionalism.
Double Rates: 55 to 150 Euros
Phone: +39 041 715 333

Hotel Arcadia
Cannaregio 1333D, Rio Tera San Leonardo
This hotels coms across as your standard fare from the outset but look deeper and you will see the wealth that is inside this restored 17th century building. Definitely worth a look.
Double Rates: 70 to 120 Euros
Phone: +39 041 71 7355

Hotel Minerva e Nettuno
Cannaregio 230, Tera Lista di Spagna
Perhaps a bit overpriced hotel to stay in during high season!
Double Rates: 45 to 115 Euros
Phone: +39 04 171 5968
http://www.minervaenettuno.it

Hotel Rossi
Calle delle Procuratie 262
Double Rates: 64 to 92 Euros
Phone: +39 041 715 164
http://www.hotelrossi.ve.it/

Hotel San Geremia
Cannaregio 290, Campo San Geremia
This hotel has some amazing views but that is just about all.
Double Rates: 50 to 120 Euros
Phone: + 3904 1716245
http://www.sangeremiahotel.com

Hotel Santa Lucia
Cannaregio 358, Calle della Misericordia
A very clean and friendly hotel run by mother and son. Marble floors throughout!
Double Rates: 70 to 110 Euros
Phone: +39 041 715 180
http://www.hotelslucia.com

Ostello Santa Fosca
Cannaregio 2372, Fondamenta Daniele Canal
Serving as a student housing unit this is more of a youth hostel.
Double Rates: 44 Euros
Phone: + 39 04 171 5775
http://www.santafosca.com

Residenza Ca’ Riccio
Cannareggio 5394/a (Campo dei Miracoli)
A charming six room hotel that is located near the Rialto bridge.
Double Rates: 90 to 120 Euros
Phone: +39 041 528 2334
http://www.cariccio.com/

Villa Rosa
Cannaregio 389 - Calle Misericordia
Very close to the train station this hotel would be best served as a place to stay before you leave the city by train.
Double Rates: 70 to 130 Euros
Phone: +39 04 171 6569
http://www.villarosahotel.com/

Previously in this blog I have briefly discussed one of the best hotels to stay in Venice, Italy. Of course this option is really only for the truly wealthy or those that occasionally like to splurge on themselves. I do realize that this hotel and many other hotels are well out of the range for some of my readers. Further there are those that like to live the backpacking lifestyle of traveling on a budget and so they do not cause a lot of environmental impact. I must applaud anyone who has those goals in mind as they are far better then me, even though I am a bit of a environmentalist.

There are some well kept and well run campgrounds in the city of Venice. Many have all the features of a high priced hotel which includes laundry services, free wifi services for those that want to stay connected to home base, continental breakfasts and restaurants on site.

These are just some of the places I found you could stay while in Venice and on a budget. Since most of these places offer mobile homes and bungalows you do not have to sleep in a tent or under the stars if you do not wish it.

Camping Della Serenissima
This campground is only 20 minutes away from the center of town by public transport. Offering many services such as a pizzeria, restaurant, market, satellite television and even token washing machines. Obviously this is a comprehensive campground that does not skimp on the luxuries.

Camping Fusina
This campground is even closer in that it is only 15 minutes away from the center of town by public transport. This site boasts of having the first Internet café in a campground in the whole of Venice. So obviously then it would be logical to assume that you can keep up to date and stay in touch here. Camping Fusina is one of the friendliest campgrounds offering such amenities as beach parties, sumo wrestling and a 24 hour laundry.

Camping Jolly delle Querce
This campground is right off the highway and very near the rail station as well. Since this campground is only 15 minutes away from the center of town as well I think it is logical to assume that it is near the other campgrounds. While not as luxurious as the previously mentioned campgrounds. Camping Jolly delle Querce does seem to be clean and well maintained.

Plus Alba D’Oro Camping
Since this campground boasts of the best budget accommodations in Venice I am assuming that you get what you pay for. Basically for 10.00 Euros you can stay in a 2 persons house tent. This campground also does offer internet café, pizzeria, take away, luggage storage and late night Gondola bar.

These campgrounds are for the hearty souls that wish to live a little and stay in a more rough environment then what the older folks are used to. Since many of these places cater to the backpacker and college student it is pretty obvious who you are going to be associating with if you choose to stay at any of these places.

You do not have to skimp on some services if you choose to “rough it” a bit while in Europe. Clearly these campgrounds are designed to keep their guests happy and some seem to go out of their way to make sure you feel at home. Definitely worth checking out if you are on a budget.