A costumed couple strolls among the tourists in front of the Palazzo Ducale in Venice during the Carnevale di Venezia. The City of Venice is offering a new online booking Web site that will allow tourists to get discounted services during the peak travel season, like Carnevale. (Michael Abrams/S&S)
Answering nature’s call could cost tourists in Venice, Italy, as much as 3 euros during peak travel season.
Officials mentioned the price increases on such public services while announcing a new online booking service to the famed northern Italy city, according to spokeswoman Cristina Valentini.
Tourists using the new online service can receive discounts by booking tickets for everything from museums fees to parking spaces. "Vaporetto," or "water taxi," rides and even public restrooms are included in the discounts, Valentini said.
The site will provide a color-coded calendar so tourists can choose between high season, the most expensive time to visit, versus more economically feasible times of the year. Visitors can select "green days," when the city is virtually empty of tourists, medium traffic "blue days," or the most crowded "red days," she said.
"This is a major step in making tourism in Venice more sustainable," Italian ANSA news service quoted Deputy Mayor Michele Vianello as saying during a press conference in Rome. "Tourists will be able to create their own holiday package including hotels, public services and tickets for museums and other events. And they can pay for this at one time after which they will be given an entry password."
On green days, a typical three-day package for two people will cost 209.30 euros if booked online, compared to 247 euros if paid after arrival, a saving of 31.70 euros, ANSA reported. Blue packages offer savings of 31.10 euros, and three-day red packages will save travelers 20.10 euros by booking online.
Currently, the site — www.veniceconnected.it — is not up and running, and only offers an explanation in Italian of the planned services.
But on Feb. 1, browsers will be able to click to an English version of the site and plan their visit.