Navigation...how to get where by mapakettle
Venice is a wonderful city to wander, extremely safe, exciting, mysterious, and romantic. The only problem is that it is hard to find your way around, especially if you are in a hurry.Maps help, but mainly are useful only to find your general location, but because there are so many dead ends, and not every 'street' is indicated or clearly defined, navigating from one spot to another is near impossible.
The city has signs attached to the upper portions of buildings, either hand painted directly to the surface of the wall, or on plywood signs. However, often they are faded, missing, or the arrows indicating direction are confusing. Learn to pay attention to the arrows, and when in doubt, stop for a glass of Vino, because the other tourists are just as confused as you are, and a break is usually more helpful, and enjoyable.
Eventually, you will find your way through the maze. Treat it as an adventure, because it really doesn't get a whole lot easier the next time. Everytime you think you got it beat, Venice slips a piazza smack dab in front of you.The hours spend exploring, the mystery, the romance, the unique qualities Venice has to offer. Nothing can prepare you for this city, pictures don't do it justice, you have to experience it for yourself.
Ma Kettle and I have been to Venice at least twenty times, and we still get lost. The key is not to hurry, don't allow schedules to rush you, just take your time and meander about.
If your tour guide tries to book you an early flight out of Venice, disregard his suggestion, opt for a late morning departure.
