thanks...these are great tips.

I will reconsider and look at May.

"Mike Tommasi" > wrote in message
...
> Hi Dick
>
> hope you don't mins if a Venetian answers you...
>
> On Mon, 12 Jan 2004 01:19:09 GMT, "dick" > wrote:
>
> >Was considering a trip to get away from stress with wife. What is Venice
> >like in March or April?
>
> April tends to be rainy, but you get some splendid days. Avoid Easter
> at all costs and, personally, avoid Carnival, it is overrated, tacky
> and it's bloody cold and damp. March is nice at the end of the month,
> springtime tends to show up on time.
>
> The ideal time IMHO is May or September.
>
> >
> >Is it worth spending time in that time of year?
>
> Any time of the year is worth spending time.
>
> Avoid tourist traps, they are all over the place.
>
> When in Italy, go to a book store and buy the Slow Food guide to
> Venice, if you read basic italian it is very well done. Anyhow,m just
> don't trust your instincts, do research, be prepared, or else you have
> a 90% chance of being disappointed.
>
> For eating, stick to the little "bacari" or other places where you can
> eat "cicheti", the venetian equivalent of tapas, or the trattorie and
> osterie where you will eat well for a decent price.
>
> Around the SS. Giovanni e Paolo area, on the Calle Lunga Santa Maria
> Formosa at number 5525, Al Mascaron, 25-30 Euro not incl. wine, no
> cards accepted, but you will find delicious local food, little squid,
> scampi, minuscule octopus, sardines, pasta, grilled fish. And a very
> very good wine selection. Try not to act too foreign...
>
> Do not miss going to the island of Burano (forget about Murano, unless
> you like glass, it is not pretty), and do try eating at the Gatto
> Nero, up to 40 Euro without wine, but the fish is divine and really
> fresh. Have not tried Da Romano recently but I am told it is also VG.
>
> I hear good things about La Colombina, on the Campiello de l'Anconeta,
> not far from Rio Tera San Leonardo, the big street coming from the
> station.
>
> Continuing along the main artery, by now called Strada Nuova, you come
> to the magnificent Ca d'Oro palace, but near it in a minuscule street
> called Calle del Pistor there is a place officially called Osteria Ca
> d'Oro but best known as La Vedova, 20 Euros max, very ancient place,
> you cannot get more typical than this.
>
> Alla Patatina, a place for"cicchetti" around 11 o'clock, on the Ponte
> San Polo.
>
>
> For higher class eating (book well ahead), try:
>
>
> Corte Sconta, haven't been for 3 years, damn good and damn hard to
> find, on the Calle del Pestrin at number 3886 it is not far from the
> San Zaccaria vaporetto stop, 50 Euro and up, great food and local
> wines.
>
> Fiore, two Michelin stars, expensive but veeeery good on the Calle del
> Scaleter, not far from the Rialto bridge and market, which you must
> see in the morning during trading hours.
>
> Pastry shops: Venice spent a small period under Austrian domination, a
> sad chapter in its history with lasting delicious results: Venice has
> a pastry tradition in the austrian style, and they make Sachertorte
> better than in Vienna (shhh, don't say anything to Michael P.). Pastry
> shops are places to stop and have tea or coffee. Try Marchini, on the
> Calle del Spezier, between Campo Santo Stefano and Campo San Maurizio,
> This places prepares the breakfasts for the Orient Express.
>
>
> Ice cream. Great at Paolin on the Campo Santo Stefano.
>
>
> Cafes: must stop at Florian on St Mark's square, and go for a drink in
> the early evening at Harry's Bar (the original) on the Calle
> Vallaresso, near the vaporetto stop by the same name. Watch the
> beautiful people, be part of the scene ;-))) and try his famous
> "bellini" (er, a bit early for peaches in april...), but don't stay
> for dinner, prices are horrendous.
>
>
> Have fun
>
> Mike