jules4je7

I was there in October '03, and I noticed a definite smell.

After living in Seattle 15 years of my life off of Puget Sound, you'd think I'd know that smell, but I'd spent the more recent 3 years in Denver, far from any ocean, and only after my 2nd day did I realize that all it was was a very pungeant Salt Water Smell.

It's not sewer water, just the ocean brine...once you realize it like I did, it's much less offensive. HA

Jules

SusanD

We were there last year for three days and never smelt anything. From what I understand it's hit or miss on that one but doesn;t happen very often.

worldinabag

Yes Venice is dirty, filthy and EXTREMELY smelly. Please warn everyone of this and insist they stay away. Especially in the second half of September 2008. I am reliably informed it will be particularly bad and I will be investigating this phenomena (El Vino effect)in closer detail. Needless to say I will be submitting a full report in this forum of the smell problem and the resultant drop in tourist numbers as well as a review of badly patronized restaurants, bargain accommodation and gondola rides at cut price rates. >

muskoka

We'll be staying at Antiche Figure on the Grand Canal. I, for one, will be investing in nose plugs for my friends. They are pretty good sports, but I'm a bit thin-skinned and would hate to think that their enjoyment would be in any way reduced by spending 4 days in potentially smelly Venice!
Your comments are well-taken. It's been quite a long time since I last visited there and my memories of it are only happy ones.
Judith

annw

You're kidding about the nose plugs, right?

There's a sea scent to the air, and as reported it may be more intense in the small out of the way canals where the water moves more slowly or they're dredging.

kbrennan

Why in the world would you even go to Venice if you are that worried and convinced that your friends will have a smelly experience?
We stayed on the Grand Canal in both January and April - no smells.

SeaUrchin

why would you take the smells, if any, of Venice personally? why would your friends? if they are that precious I would rethink traveling with them at all. They have to be strong if they are going to travel, things happen. Good luck with them!!

muskoka

Well, of course, I'm kidding about the nose plugs. I think you're getting a little off track here with your postings.

Thanks to all of you who were kind enough to respond with what the actualities are of today's Venice. They don't seem far off what I enjoyed years ago.

The friends who are traveling with me and my husband are of the "friends for life" variety - more than 40years - and I want them to have a really good time, too.

SeaUrchin

oh, I see, they won't blame you but you want them to have a nice time. Good for you.

LoveItaly

Here is an article..http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article....ticle_id=31672

Personally, as many times as I have been in Venice I have never been bothered by "smells" but it seems to be an ongoing comment for as long as I can remember.

gard

Hi

I was there in June a few years back (see the trip reports and pictures on http://gardkarlsen.com/italy_venice.htm ) I had also heard about the bad smell but I did not notice any of this at all.

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

harsha

From the sights & sounds of a place you can now add 'smell'!!I'm sure most of you will agree that a particular smell (read perfume / aroma ) brings back fond memories of places & people.So,wear your fav perfume or cologne to supress the odor of Venice, if any, for lasting memories.

Castellanese

In my experience, the cannals don't smell bad. In general, they smell of sea (well, of course), but is that bad? However, I stayed at a convent on my last trip to Venice and the window had a view of a rear back canal and I have to say that it was the only time I can honestly say that I ran into a smelly canal. I've been to Venice in Summer, so I don't know if it depends on the season. Besides, I don't think there's a city in the world which every single nook and cranny smells good. Venice is like any other city in the world (well, in that sense). It's not "so" perfect, but it's not something that you can say "I can't stand it".

unejam1

As with anything, if you go to Venice expecting it to smell bad it will as you will interpret even pleasant smells as "bad."

hdm

Muskoka,
We stayed at the Antiche Figure and just loved it! It's a charming, small hotel, spotlessly clean and with excellent service. We upgraded to one of the front rooms with a little 'Juliet' balcony and it was well worth it to have the Grand Canal out our front window with the gondolas 'parked' below. There are double-glazed windows and wood shutters so noise is not a problem. Have a wonderful time!

Carta_Pisana

The only time i noticed a slight "sulfurous/rotting egg" odor was usually in the bathrooms (and noticed this more in hotels on the Italian Riviera) and chalked it up to old plumbing.

But as for strong canal odors - didn't notice any.

lucielou

I've been to Venice, in winter and summer and never got a smell.

muskoka

I'm glad to hear that Antiche Figure is as charming in reality as the anecdotes would have me believe. We should be off to a great start come May.

barbmc

We were in Venice during the heatwave in July 2006. No Smell. Loved Venice.

MaureenB

We were there last May, and noticed no unpleasant smells at all. (No dog poo, either.) Our hotel room was on the first floor, just ten feet above the confluence of two small canals. We kept the windows open all the time, to enjoy the amazing views, and noticed no smells whatsoever.

I'm thinking it's more an urban myth than reality. Or maybe a thing of the past that has been cleaned up now.
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