Post date: Sep 15, 2015 3:19:28 AM
After doing some research on tourism seasons, I discovered that the busiest months are usually April, May, June, September, and October. This in itself was interesting to me, because I did not expect the term of our IQP project to fall into peak tourism season. I also learned that visits roughly around November to March are considered off-season tourism and are actually not that bad - of course, there are pros and cons depending on the person you are. I found that off-season tourism in Venice is more calm and family friendly, with still popular but less frequent events. One exception is during the Carnevale, where there are a lot of kids' events and parties across Venice.
First let's talk about the pros of visiting Venice during off-season tourism. One clear benefit that stands out is cost: room prices can be about 25-50% less around this time. Another attractive benefit is that, although there are always thousands of tourists in Venice, you get to avoid all the long lines, hustle and chaos of the overcrowding and traffic jams that occur during peak season. A side benefit is that you get a glimpse of the Venetian lifestyle since tourism is not highlighted as much. Some of the cons can be the volume of rain and floods that often happen. Another thing to consider is the fact that sites close early (around 5pm) and transportation has constrained hours of operation. In conclusion, it depends on what kind of atmosphere you are looking for: you could either go for the typical tourist experience and sight seeing or enjoy a more "authentic" experience and connect with the locals.
-RM
Photograph by Joanna Penn
Some useful tips for off-season tourism in Venice: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy/venice-itinerary
https://www.walksofitaly.com/blog/venice/winter-december-january-february