Ciao! I spent a wonderful 4 days in Venice this year. It was not nearly enough time but I’ve visited several times before. One of the nearby hidden gems is the village of Chioggia, a mini Venice. Really loved it!
Sinù, you are speaking to my heart. I’ve been in Como for 15 years, I have never lived anywhere longer in my life. Lately all conversations turn to overtourism and Comascans, born and bred here are feeling like the city is no longer theirs. We often say that what happened to Venice is happening here and no one know what to do. Certainly the overwhelming increase in AirBnBs since lockdown ended is a massive part of the change. I live in a residential neighborhood where I used to never see tourists and now I see them every day. I fear Como will soon be a city without a soul and we don’t know what to do.
I think you've hit the nail on the head here, Lolly. Overtourism does feel like loss and void. And clearly "no one knows what to do" about it! Venice has always had an international soul, and in a way tourism is keeping this side of the city alive. However, it's also eating up space, leaving little room to the other aspects that make up a healthy community life. Since I started using Instagram and then writing this newsletter, I've met, virtually and in person, so many kind, smart and curious people. Each and every single one of them has enriched my life, and I'm so grateful. For me, the beauty of travelling lies in this web of connections that we are able to create thorugh exchange. Modern tourism, though, seems more focused on immediate consumption and living the "clichée" experiences we're sold on social media etc. This is such a huge issue, and way more complex that what I'm writing here, I'm sure! That's why I'm trying to capture the opinions and perspectives of others. Thank you so much for sharing your own!
And thank you for sharing your reply! All of your thoughts really resonate with me. Yes it’s a mix. The cliches and get-the-IG-photo moments are painful. Thank you so much for sharing also the international enrichment that can occur!
Hi Sinu! Great column and great idea. Yes, I brought my two kids to Venice a few years ago. The over-tourism was evident, even though it was winter and not high season. It did feel like very few locals were about, and it was sad. But Venice is incredible, obviously. The architecture and palaces, the little restaurants, were unforgettable.
Hi Christiana, so good to hear from you! Do you remember when exactly you were here in winter? We have two big festivities in November, with loads of Italian tourists flowing in. Usually though it's quiter during the colder months, but with global temperatures rising winters are getting warmer and warmer, becoming way more palatable for visitors. I hope your kids enjoyed the city :)
Thank you so much, Artemis, I'm excited about this new project and I hope to share valuable ideas with those wishing to enjoy Venice gently and responsibly.
We’ve been to Venice four times in the past 13 years, except for the first time always staying in the same small hotel in the San Polo area, which we love. Always get a vaporetto pass so we can hop on and off at will (we’re now 71 & 74). And always dreaming of the next time we can go to one of our favorite cities in the world.
Hi Elizabeth, that is absolutely brilliant. To take time to acquaint oneself with a complex city, to go beyond the surface... one short stop would not be enough.
Yes, it was launched with the involvement of Jack Dorsey, so to me it is the closest to the feel of pre-Musk Twitter.
It's still being rolled out gradually, so to prevent being swamped by fascists and bots, for now you need to get an invitation code from an a current user before you can set up an account and start posting.
I just created my Account a week ago, so I don't have invitations to share yet. But if you're interested, I'll be happy to send when I do.
This is quite interesting, so you're not spending as much time on Twitter anymore? I fell out of it unintentionally, can't cope with two social media platforms at the same time, plus full time job and articles to write. So I'm keeping Instagram as my main platform (less politicised, less drama).
I visited Venice a long time ago and loved it, although it’s sad to read how tourism has “taken over” making it difficult for the locals. Looking forward to reading more as I also enjoy your instagram posts Sinu.
This is fantastic news! I've never been to Venice but having taken the train to Florence from Pisa travelling earlier in the week and finding how horribly over-touristed Florence was, this is the type of content I think is needed from locals in the world's tourism hotspots.
Hi Rachel, thank you so much!! Florence and Venice are in very similar predicaments atm, you're completely right. Hopefully more and more local residents will rise to the occasion and begin sharing their views - whatever they are - with the international community. Fingers crossed.
To be honest, I was generically looking on the web about the Lagoon, proximities, videos, and suggestions. Now that you have mentioned, I am curious as to any books related to this area. Something more to look into. I look forward to your input as you do your series.
There are a few books in Italian but not that many and most have an ecological/scientific/environmental scope (kind of hard to digest). If I come across a good resource in English I will make sure to let you know.
Sinù so glad you’ll be reviving your Slow Venice tales 😊 I enjoy all of your storytelling and perspective, and of course talking to you about all of it too - looking forward to more!
Sinù, I love this approach and your thoughts on more sustainable tourist practices (just as much as it breaks my heart to hear about the loss of locals and part of the intimate essence of the city proper to predatory tourism.) As someone who has never been to Italy despite having traveled extensively, I am often intimidated out of visiting; like it or not, I am a contributor to the problem and I have been aware of it particularly gruesome in Venice of all places. Through your lens and suggestions, I hope one day soon to be able to find a suitable compromise that will encourage me to visit at long last. Thank you as always! Cannot wait to read more :)
Hi Ana, I'm glad this post resonated with you and that we can have this conversation. I know an extremely educated, smart, creative and resourceful woman who has successfully published books about Venice. Yet she is self-isolating from it not to worsen the situation. It breaks my heart really, but I think this is also kinda cool and touching. Regardless, we would be lucky to have you.
Fabulous, I look forward to an armchair view of Venice from an insider! I have been twice, it really is so beautiful you can understand why everyone wants to go. Time was when most travel was at a distance with occasional once in a lifetime trips but perhaps it’s gone too far and we need to be more discerning and cognisant of trampling the very thing we came to find.
Hi Rita, thank you for commenting, I'm glad this post resonated with you. Travelling locally is so underrated in my opinion, it's like we constantly need to jump on a plane to feel alive. Unfortunately, social media is playing a huge part in this, creating hype for certain destinations and setting expectations for very specific aesthetics (and clichés). There's so little room for discovery!
Social media and democratised travel, the law of unintended consequences. Hopefully people will become more conscientious as social media plays its part in raising these issues and opening our eyes to the paths less travelled.
Ciao! I spent a wonderful 4 days in Venice this year. It was not nearly enough time but I’ve visited several times before. One of the nearby hidden gems is the village of Chioggia, a mini Venice. Really loved it!
Beautiful, Sinu!
Sinù, you are speaking to my heart. I’ve been in Como for 15 years, I have never lived anywhere longer in my life. Lately all conversations turn to overtourism and Comascans, born and bred here are feeling like the city is no longer theirs. We often say that what happened to Venice is happening here and no one know what to do. Certainly the overwhelming increase in AirBnBs since lockdown ended is a massive part of the change. I live in a residential neighborhood where I used to never see tourists and now I see them every day. I fear Como will soon be a city without a soul and we don’t know what to do.
I think you've hit the nail on the head here, Lolly. Overtourism does feel like loss and void. And clearly "no one knows what to do" about it! Venice has always had an international soul, and in a way tourism is keeping this side of the city alive. However, it's also eating up space, leaving little room to the other aspects that make up a healthy community life. Since I started using Instagram and then writing this newsletter, I've met, virtually and in person, so many kind, smart and curious people. Each and every single one of them has enriched my life, and I'm so grateful. For me, the beauty of travelling lies in this web of connections that we are able to create thorugh exchange. Modern tourism, though, seems more focused on immediate consumption and living the "clichée" experiences we're sold on social media etc. This is such a huge issue, and way more complex that what I'm writing here, I'm sure! That's why I'm trying to capture the opinions and perspectives of others. Thank you so much for sharing your own!
And thank you for sharing your reply! All of your thoughts really resonate with me. Yes it’s a mix. The cliches and get-the-IG-photo moments are painful. Thank you so much for sharing also the international enrichment that can occur!
❤️
Hi Sinu! Great column and great idea. Yes, I brought my two kids to Venice a few years ago. The over-tourism was evident, even though it was winter and not high season. It did feel like very few locals were about, and it was sad. But Venice is incredible, obviously. The architecture and palaces, the little restaurants, were unforgettable.
Hi Christiana, so good to hear from you! Do you remember when exactly you were here in winter? We have two big festivities in November, with loads of Italian tourists flowing in. Usually though it's quiter during the colder months, but with global temperatures rising winters are getting warmer and warmer, becoming way more palatable for visitors. I hope your kids enjoyed the city :)
Travelling to Venice is one of the trips I want to make this year!! Looking forward to this series!!
Thank you so much, Artemis, I'm excited about this new project and I hope to share valuable ideas with those wishing to enjoy Venice gently and responsibly.
Still on Twitter for now, but I expect I'll quit soon - or get kicked out if they require everybody to pay. It's really going downhill fast😱
Just seen this now! I'm testing threads by Instagram but nothing extraordinary so far... people are more interesting on Twitter!
We’ve been to Venice four times in the past 13 years, except for the first time always staying in the same small hotel in the San Polo area, which we love. Always get a vaporetto pass so we can hop on and off at will (we’re now 71 & 74). And always dreaming of the next time we can go to one of our favorite cities in the world.
Hi Elizabeth, that is absolutely brilliant. To take time to acquaint oneself with a complex city, to go beyond the surface... one short stop would not be enough.
Yes, it was launched with the involvement of Jack Dorsey, so to me it is the closest to the feel of pre-Musk Twitter.
It's still being rolled out gradually, so to prevent being swamped by fascists and bots, for now you need to get an invitation code from an a current user before you can set up an account and start posting.
I just created my Account a week ago, so I don't have invitations to share yet. But if you're interested, I'll be happy to send when I do.
This is quite interesting, so you're not spending as much time on Twitter anymore? I fell out of it unintentionally, can't cope with two social media platforms at the same time, plus full time job and articles to write. So I'm keeping Instagram as my main platform (less politicised, less drama).
I visited Venice a long time ago and loved it, although it’s sad to read how tourism has “taken over” making it difficult for the locals. Looking forward to reading more as I also enjoy your instagram posts Sinu.
Hi dear Sonya, thank you for your comment, it means a lot!
Wow, I'm looking forward to it!
Thank you!!
This is fantastic news! I've never been to Venice but having taken the train to Florence from Pisa travelling earlier in the week and finding how horribly over-touristed Florence was, this is the type of content I think is needed from locals in the world's tourism hotspots.
Hi Rachel, thank you so much!! Florence and Venice are in very similar predicaments atm, you're completely right. Hopefully more and more local residents will rise to the occasion and begin sharing their views - whatever they are - with the international community. Fingers crossed.
To be honest, I was generically looking on the web about the Lagoon, proximities, videos, and suggestions. Now that you have mentioned, I am curious as to any books related to this area. Something more to look into. I look forward to your input as you do your series.
There are a few books in Italian but not that many and most have an ecological/scientific/environmental scope (kind of hard to digest). If I come across a good resource in English I will make sure to let you know.
Thank you!
Sinù so glad you’ll be reviving your Slow Venice tales 😊 I enjoy all of your storytelling and perspective, and of course talking to you about all of it too - looking forward to more!
Thank you Michelle my dear, it'll be intersting to compare notes - Venice vs Rome.
Sinù, I love this approach and your thoughts on more sustainable tourist practices (just as much as it breaks my heart to hear about the loss of locals and part of the intimate essence of the city proper to predatory tourism.) As someone who has never been to Italy despite having traveled extensively, I am often intimidated out of visiting; like it or not, I am a contributor to the problem and I have been aware of it particularly gruesome in Venice of all places. Through your lens and suggestions, I hope one day soon to be able to find a suitable compromise that will encourage me to visit at long last. Thank you as always! Cannot wait to read more :)
Hi Ana, I'm glad this post resonated with you and that we can have this conversation. I know an extremely educated, smart, creative and resourceful woman who has successfully published books about Venice. Yet she is self-isolating from it not to worsen the situation. It breaks my heart really, but I think this is also kinda cool and touching. Regardless, we would be lucky to have you.
Fabulous, I look forward to an armchair view of Venice from an insider! I have been twice, it really is so beautiful you can understand why everyone wants to go. Time was when most travel was at a distance with occasional once in a lifetime trips but perhaps it’s gone too far and we need to be more discerning and cognisant of trampling the very thing we came to find.
Hi Rita, thank you for commenting, I'm glad this post resonated with you. Travelling locally is so underrated in my opinion, it's like we constantly need to jump on a plane to feel alive. Unfortunately, social media is playing a huge part in this, creating hype for certain destinations and setting expectations for very specific aesthetics (and clichés). There's so little room for discovery!
Social media and democratised travel, the law of unintended consequences. Hopefully people will become more conscientious as social media plays its part in raising these issues and opening our eyes to the paths less travelled.
Absolutely!
I just emailed you :)