Visiting Venice? A Little Birdseed Goes a Long Way
October 30th, 2009 | by Kimberly Sullivan 6 comments
Kimberly Sullivan is an American expat living in Italy. She and her husband love to travel, and have dragged their sons across five continents. So far.
My husband and I recently took our kids to Venice for the weekend, and were blessed with a fall weekend of sun and blue skies. Since it was their first time, the boys were slightly disappointed that the city was so…dry (my husband and I less so). They had seen the acqua alta on the news often enough, and were looking forward to splashing around in boots through the rising lagoon.
Bring good shoes, but ditch the map
Bring very comfortable walking shoes when you come to Venice – you’ll need them. Also, stay in the city center and do lots of early morning and late evening rambling. Many tourists to Venice are day-trippers and it is easy to avoid the crowds by watching the city waking up or wandering the canals at night.
Consider tucking away the map and getting lost on the twisting streets of this magical city. Our children loved walking across the bridges and watching the life along the canals: the gondolas, police boats and fireboats were a real hit.
Sneak in some art
There is no shortage of spectacular museums in Italy and especially in Venice, but you can get your art fix for free in the churches. Yes, your kids will grumble, but popping in briefly to admire a Bellini, Titian or Tintoretto is much easier than keeping your little ones quiet through an afternoon at the Accademia.
Keep your powder dry for the 16th Century Scuola Grande di San Rocco (a.k.a. the Sistine Chapel of Venice). Over 50 works of Tintoretto grace the spectacular halls. I must admit that we resorted to bribery to keep our kids good while my husband and I examined the details – whispered promises of Gelato can be extremely effective at key moments for art-starved parents.
Resistance to pigeons is futile
The Basilica of San Marco and the Doge’s Palace are clearly highlights of any Venetian visit, but the beautiful Piazza San Marco is certain to be a favorite with your kids. It is unlikely that the younger children will be struck by Napoleon’s description of it as “the most elegant drawing room in Europe”. Instead they will most likely be drawn to all the pigeons that flock here and add to the beauty of the square. A little birdseed will go a long way towards ensuring that your kids will be as anxious as you to return again to beautiful Venice.
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Oisin on October 30th, 2009
Loved this post. Especially the heading “Resistance to pigeons is futile”, good advice also about going out early morning and evenings, I’d say the canals are lovely at night.
Thanks.
Malta Vacations on October 31st, 2009
“Resistance to pigeons is futile” lol that is so true … kids LOVE them! have no idea why, I think it must be one of the dirtiest birds around – they give me that impression anyway …
Great blog btw
Cheers,
Marica
Mara on October 31st, 2009
Great tips – and the one about pigeons is applicable to much of the entire country I think. Of course, my children like to terrorize the pigeons by running at top speed into clutches of them, so perhaps the warning should go the other way as well.
Madeline on October 31st, 2009
wow, and this AFTER the 20 pigeon food sellers were banned from selling around St Mark’s square… In Milan the Duomo actually has electric spikes on it that give the birds a small shock if they perch there (their poop was eroding the facade!)
tom on November 1st, 2009
We have been their with our kids too and they were also amazed with the Pigeons.
wandermom on November 10th, 2009
When we visited Venice in 2008 my kids lay on the floor of the Scuola looking at Tintoretto’s work on the ceiling. The caretaker/staff weren’t quite sure what to make of us, but since the boys were quiet and not bothering everyone else, they left us be. I do think some grown-ups who were visiting at the same time would have been willing to check out the view from the floor as well!
We enjoyed all the places you mention but also the area around the old Jewish quarter. It’s not too far to walk and it feels like a very different city in that sestiere – well away from the tourists.
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