‘Excellent guide’ in Venice

As part of a 5-week trip to Malta and Italy in May-June 2014, my husband, Leroy, and I hired a guide in Venice for one day. 

We had enjoyed the better-known sites on previous trips and wanted to see areas less frequented by tourists. Friends recommended Rosemary (Ziggy) Vanett (ziggyit2@hotmail.com), an American who has lived in and guided guests in Venice for many years. She was unavailable the day we needed her, but she recommended a colleague by the name of Jennifer Barrington (phone 0039 349 8391211 or email jenba020@yahoo.it). 

Jennifer arrived in Venice about 30 years ago from Australia and has extensive experience as a guide. The afternoon before our day trip, she came to our hotel to confirm plans, then headed off to purchase our vaporetto tickets, thus avoiding morning rush hour lines.

She met us at our hotel early the next morning and we visited three islands in the lagoon: Burano, Torcello and Murano. Jennifer had us visit them in that order to avoid high-traffic times on certain boat routes. She was full of historical and current information and had a delightful personality.

We paid Jennifer €300 (at that time, about $408) for a full day’s walking tour, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 or 4 p.m. This price included €50 for two 36-hour vaporetto passes, which we used the next day as well. She treated us to a pastry on Burano, and we bought gelato for the three of us. No admission fees were involved.

By chance, we crossed paths with Ziggy and were introduced to this peppy lady. We highly recommend both of these excellent guides. Experts like these don’t come cheaply, but they’ll make the very most of their time with their guests.

MARTHA LANCE

Fullerton, CA