Hello:

My husband and I are planning a trip to Italy this summer with our 2 sons--ages 6 and 11. We will be going to Rome first, then Florence (we are exchanging homes with another family there) and then Venice. We are looking for suggestions about places to stay in Rome and Venice. We are leaning toward renting an apartment (we found some that you can rent for 3 days) rather than staying at a hotel. That way, we would have more room without an astronomical price. We are open to suggestions on that as well.

My question is: What NEIGHBORHOOD of Venice would you most recommend? We like to eat and shop and will obviously see the sights as well. With the kids, though, we realize that we will have to do the sights at a much slower pace. We love to shop. It is important to understand, though, that the shopping we typically do would be more home decor and more unique items. We are looking for things that would be unique and that would be things that would be special from Italy. For example, we got a beautiful leather jacket in Florence previously, as well as a beautiful Murano glass vase in Venice. We are also not into brand name places that we can go in the U.S. such as Gap, Old Navy, etc. We also tend to shop for things other than clothes, and we definitely are not into needing to have the latest designer things.

Last year, when we went to London, the kids loved going to Covent Garden and seeing all of the street performers.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Venice i really very small. You will find plenty of shops for the type of thing you ant, and you will find that the city is much more walkable than you might suspect. It only takes around an hour to walk from one side of it to the other.

To be right in the centre of the tourist-popular area you should stay in San Marco (or maybe San Polo) sestiere. If you want to be a bit away from this, then consider Dorsoduro or Cannareggio; both lovely, both very Venietian, fewer people around in the daytime. I'd stay in one of those personally.

Do be aware that outdoor spaces for your boys to play/let off steam are very limited in Venice (local children mostly play, usually supervised, in the campos). This might affect your choices.

You can rent a good apartment with a view of Venice for a lot less on the Isle of Giudecca. It's alot closer to Venice than Lido, Murano or Buran. There are shops and restaurants here that are alot cheaper than anywhere else in Venice

I also think Giudecca could be a good option - very close to the main island and has a similar character but a little calmer and more relaxed. Choose Giudecca if you want to spend as much time as possible in the centre of Venice, which is where it's all happening really.

I've also enjoyed staying on Lido and I would recommend it if you want a contrast to the bustle of the main island - it's much, much quieter. Walking around the island is peaceful and it has more of a neighbourhood feel with a higher locals to tourists ratio than the other islands (when I visited in September at least). Has a sort of faded and peeling charm and plenty of space. This may be a plus for the kids, depending on what they enjoy.

Lido is a little further away but it's by no means difficult to get to. Burano is also a quiet haven, though doesn't have the decadent atmosphere of Lido.

But I wouldn't worry too much about the location if you've found an apartment you like somewhere that isn't mentioned by anyone here: Venice is quite easy to get around.

And I can't remember seeing any Gap or Old Navy stores in Venice, so don't worry! The chains may be there (are they?), but not in the heart of Venice, and if they are they're certainly not very prominent.

Or choose the quiet of Castello, yet only 15/25 minutes from San Marco..
Ciao
Francesco

I think the others here have it. Its small enough that anywhere will do. Giudecca sounds goodto me (will think ofthat next time myself). Lido is a bit of a vaporetto ride, but again thats a joy.

I think the others here have it. Its small enough that anywhere will do. Giudecca sounds goodto me (will think ofthat next time myself). Lido is a bit of a vaporetto ride, but again thats a joy.

During the Summer "Lido" is quite expencive because of the beachs that open the 1st of Jun. But the others are right: Venice is quite small and you can walk everywhere. I suggest you the Cannaregio or the Dorsoduro areas, because are far from the more touristy areas, full of shops, supermarkets and restaurants. Have a look also at these apartments:
www.viewsonvenice.com/ca_giorgione.html
www.viewsonvenice.com/ca_san_sebastiano.html
For the shops that you are looking for I suggest you to lost yourself in the area between Rialto and Santa Margherita Square. And also around the Fenice Theatre.
Ones very special shop I like is this one:
http://www.veniceboats.com/eng-home.htm