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Venice Is Overrated

by Iva Skoch (RSS feed) on Jan 20th 2007 at 8:45AM

While everyone should see Venice at least once, I don't understand why people find it romantic. I mean, the place is packed with tourists! You can't be left alone for two seconds before you are either a) in someone's picture, or b) being asked to take a picture of someone.

The population of Venice has been cut in half in the last 40 years and if the trend continues, there will be no residents of Venice left by 2030. The local color is dissapearing to make space for more tourist buses. I came to the conclusion that Venice must be romantic for the same people who like to proclaim their love for each other in public (i.e., marriage proposals at baseball games.)

I started thinking about Venice when reading the MSN's 10 Romantic Escapes tips with number 10 featuring, you guessed it, Venice. Bora-Bora, Paris and Dubrovnik, other contenders, I can live with. The sub headline "Our favorite romantic escapes are guaranteed to rekindle a long-standing love, or kick a new one up a notch, all year long", however, sounds too good to be true. If the relationship lacks romance, even Bora-Bora can be Boring-Boring.

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Europe, Oceania, Italy

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Venice Blog Jan 21st 2007 6:16AM

I am really sorry that you do not seem to have any feeling for art, but instead only care about some dumb tourists taking photos. In fact, Venice itself _is_ art. If you cannot perceive it, you should not return. In this case, you won't be missed.

GIACOMO MINELLA Jan 20th 2007 8:22PM

i AM VERY HAPPY IF YOU STAY HOME, WE DO NOT NEED TURIST, ESPECIALLY TO-DAY'S TURIST WHO COME ONE DAY TO SEE VENICE, BRING THEIR OWN PLASTIC LUNCH BAG, USE STREETS AS BATHROOMS, THROW EVERYTHING IN THE WATER, WLK LIKE DAM ASSES IN THE STREET, SMELL BAD,HAVE NO DRESS CODE,(YES VENETIANS HAVE A DRESS CODE..ELEGANT, AND I CAN GIVE YOU HUNDREDS OF OTHER REASONS FOR TURISTS TO STAY OUT OF VENICE!
UNTIL 15 YEARS AGO VENICE DID NOT HAVE THIS USELESS TURISM UNFORTUNATELY EVERY ONE WANTS TO SEE THE MOST BEAUTIFIL CITY IN THE WORLD...AND IT IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ONE. UNFORTUNATELY EVERY HAS A BUCK AND WANTS TO GO AROUND THE WORLD...ONCE WHO HAD A BUCK HAD AN EDUCATION AND A LIFESTYLE..NOW IS JUST CRAP!!
DO NOT BLAME THE CITY...FOR MORE THAN A THOUSAND YEARS WAS KEPT CORRECTLY AND TURIST RESPECTED IT..YOU WANT TO SEE VENICE? FROM OCTOBER TO FEBRUARY IS THE CORRECT TIME! WHY? LESS UGLY, STINKY, ETC.. TURISTS!!
OTHERWISE STAY HOME AND GO TO DISNEY WORLD!!!!

Richard Winkel Jan 21st 2007 6:15AM

Have been to Venice three times. I'm underwhelmed. It's not just that it's dirty. It has no real character. The long ago history is great - present day sucks. Love most things about Italy, just not at all impressed with Venice.

Mia Chamberlin Jan 20th 2007 9:01PM

I think that the writer is quite wrong. Venice is an enchanting city steeped in culture. I will return to Venice next year, and hopefully again after that.

lynn redgrave Jan 21st 2007 6:14AM

Venice smells and the food is not that good.
I'll watch the travel channel then I wont have to deal with those ignorant Italians.

Kati Despretz Jan 20th 2007 10:34PM

I couldn't have said it better! Bravo!Giacomo!

don luigi Jan 21st 2007 6:12AM

bravo giacomo! "IVA" feelin this wise guy is another ignorant cat! fanculo a iva e tutti che metono le mani dove non ci devono stare! if u dont like it good for u and me stay da F$%^ out of our country and shut ur mouth!

Iva Skoch Jan 21st 2007 6:21AM

Ouch! I didn't realize criticizing Venice was illegal these days. But fair enough. To get it straight: I think Venice is beautiful, the architecture is great but I find other cities (and other Italian cities) much more romantic. Therefore travel agents and travel mags should stop selling it as a romantic destination. It would cut down on the number of tourists and everyone would be happy. That's all.

I do like how passionate people are about Venice though. There is something to be said for that.

Thanks for the comments.

Bob Jan 21st 2007 2:28PM

Yeah, I think Iva's post was a bit misunderstood.:) I find it a bit absurd that readers of the various travel mags will follow their advice on what is or isn't romantic. It's the company that makes a place romantic, no?

That being said, Giacomo is absolutely right -- visit in the fall and winter. There can still be plenty of people, but the throngs aren't there, and you can get a much better feel for the city. I'm fortunate that I'm close enough and can visit for a day or a night once every 4 or 5 weeks, and I do. Still haven't found romance, but have really fallen for certain places!

Cheers!

Gavram Jan 22nd 2007 12:10PM

I disagree with the article. Of course St. Mark's square is going to be mobbed throughout the day but walking the backstreets of Venice you come across areas that are quiet and have beautiful scenery. Also, in the evening it becomes a different city which, to me, is when it becomes a more "romantic" city.