Americans are few and far between in Venice this August
Last year I spent the entire month of August in Venice. I’m back again this year, but only for two weeks. I take this time as an opportunity to step off the everyday world.
Venice is different to say the least — no cars, no buses, lots of church bells, canals everywhere, bridges that test a skier’s wounded knees, wonderful churches and plenty of tourists. No place else on this planet is quite the same.
This uniqueness has made Venice a magnet for tourists for centuries. Americans have been one of the mainstays for Venetian summer tourism. The Italians come in droves in April and May and September/October, but historically the vaporetti are filled with plenty of good old Americani for the most part.
This month, August 2008, things are different. The language of choice in the streets is up for grabs. It used to be English, hands down. Between the Americans and the Brits, there wasn’t much competition. This year the main languages, as far as I can tell during my first two days, are split between French and German. Certainly, every family I have seen has come from one of those two countries or Spain or Italy.
Americans aren’t even registering on my personal traveler scale this year.
The local merchants are even changing their normal pattern because of the drop in the overall tourist income. Pizzeria and restaurant owners with prime locations speak about a drop of almost 30 percent in business. Ice cream stands are feeling the pinch even with 90 degree weather and humidity that one can cut with a knife. The proprietors are passing up their regular August vacations, staying open longer hours and making plans to take vacation later when even fewer tourists are in town.
When I was in Europe, visiting Seville and Andalucia, last May, I didn’t notice much of a tourism dropoff. Now in August, it seems that the economic facts of life are hitting home for tourists and local shopkeepers and restaurateurs alike.
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I too was in August for a week earlier this month. I have to say Charlie, that Plaza San Marcos was full of Americans, however, I believe the vast majority of these were off the large cruise ships moored in the Lagoon! (Cruising is, for now at least, a much more economical way to enjoy Europe - you even get to pay for everything in US currency.) Consequently, you will see fewer Americans in the hotels and in the local restaurants in the morning and evening. But watch out for midday!!! They are everywhere!