"Venice - that snapshot in time" Venice by MiniMaxi

Venice Travel Guide: 10,124 reviews and 21,060 photos

Venice is a truly snapshot in time, maybe the only place in the "modern world" where time has just stopped, where the city hasn't given up its paths and structures to the modern roars of cars and big houses. Only here you can feel the past, like in a magic gate where old times and new times are linked together.

The Kings of Venice

The real KIngs of Venice are... the pigeons! They are everywhere, and rule the city, despite the futile attempts to control them.
Look around you. Not just in St. Mark's square, or the classic places. Look really around you and above you. You'll see them, maybe staring at you, maybe not. Look up at the main monuments, and you'll see pieces of glasses, spikes, everything the desperate human careholders of the city tried to put in place just to take the kings out of their kingdom. They even tried birth control with the pigeons, by capturing them and making many of them sterile. But resistance is futile, the pigeons rule, they are the real kings of the city, the real "Dogi's" of the modern times. Every corner of the city is theirs, every vertical space, niche, balcony belong to them. And when they don't like you.... shoot!

Pros and Cons

Pros:You, the people, and the silence
Cons:Local people going away
In a nutshell:Your time warp hole

Intro Updated Sep 30, 2004
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Reviews (6)

The Gondola Scam: true price of a... Tourist Traps (1)

Lot of people, unfortunately, are victim of the so-called Gondola Scam, that is to say, they are charged much more than... more travel advice

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What I'm saying now can be very unpopular among Venetian business holders, but I feel like I have to correct all other... more travel advice

Asking for directions in Venice - Venice

Asking for directions in Venice Warnings Or Dangers (1)

This is a kind of "unusual" warning, but one that I think can prove very useful. If you get lost and want to ask for... more travel advice

Train to Venice Transportation (2)

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Hotels (1)
Venice is also Mestre!

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Comments (17)

sennaya Feb 13, 2008 at 10:09 AM Report Abuse

Hello Massimo,I watched TV, the programm about Venice. Very interesting! They told about some "devil brick" red colour. Does the every Venice person knows about it? Is it truth that it is better don't step on it? And where it is? Thank you, Maria & David
MikeStarr5 Nov 30, 2007 at 7:09 PM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday from Mike and Shelley in sunny "Barking Town" - Woof, Woof - Have a great day ! - Very interesting, well-written and unusual tips - particularly liked the one about the gondolas !
deecat Dec 2, 2006 at 9:27 AM Report Abuse

What terrific and helpful tips. Everyone going to Venice for the first time should read your tips.
Sininen Dec 1, 2006 at 9:15 PM Report Abuse

Ciao Massimo! Very good page on Venice, detailed and helpful tips. Happy birthday from Finland!
whimsyraj Jul 25, 2006 at 5:11 PM Report Abuse

Thanks for all your tips! They were helpful!
tomhoward Jun 15, 2006 at 5:19 AM Report Abuse

Great tip to set people straight on tipping. VT is full of ill informed comments...
Aleyd Dec 21, 2005 at 4:27 PM Report Abuse

Hi, Really enjoying your Venice pages. The pigeons certainly do rule! Aleyd :-)
jo104 Dec 1, 2005 at 4:12 AM Report Abuse

I like the theory the pigeon is king - very true when I went to visit :-) Happy birthday thanks for your advice on your home town & season greetings from Jo in London
drgrcook Nov 12, 2004 at 12:44 PM Report Abuse

Just rated a few of your Venice tips. We went last year - wonderful. See my Berlin trip for impreesion of Venice! My wife has written about it I will soon.
Achikochi Oct 7, 2004 at 5:24 PM Report Abuse

I have been to Venice once and really loved it - lucky you!