Venice Now Available Online
- February 1st, 2009
- Posted by Amelia Birnie
From today, visitors to Italy’s beautiful ‘City of Water’ have the option of booking and buying almost any Venice tourist service online.
Venice Connected (www.veniceconnected.com) is a new initiative from the Venice City Council, which will allow tourists to pre-order and pay for anything from public transport tickets to museum entrance fees.
They can even purchase a week or day pass to use the public restrooms through the website, which is available in both Italian and English.
It’s a frank admission that the old city can become hectic, hot and pricey; but with a positive solution.
The online pass is an attempt by the Venice City Council to reconcile the conflicting demands of mass tourism and its delicate, sinking environment.
It is also hoped that the pass will ease the shortage of public toilets in Venice.
“For people who want some security, who don’t want to go into a bar to buy a coffee or a roll, just so they can go to the bathroom, this is a solution,” a Venice city spokesman said.
Online bookers will also get a discount; one that gets bigger if they plan their visit for less busy days.
However, visitors will need to book their pass at least 15 days in advance.
VENICE CONNECTED ON TV
[kml_flashembed movie="http://au.youtube.com/v/ectMHSkfqCg" width="370" height="305" wmode="transparent" /]
Reference:
M Duff, BBC News (Europe), Venice launches tourist website, 01.02.09, www.bbc.co.uk, (01.02.09)
Sky News, Venice’s ‘Pay Now Go Later’ Scheme, 30.01.09, news.sky.com/skynews, (01.02.09)
Venice Connected, //venice>connected Ads, www.veniceconnected.com/node/114, (01.02.09)
Picture: Venice Connected Tour Guide – Venice Connected