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November Venice Meet: II

November Venice Meet: II

Old Jun 19, 2004, 12:15 pm
  #1  
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November Venice Meet: II

The Meet was was a bigger success than even I had anticipated and preserved for posterity in KLC's pictures...Punki's pictures...and O2K's pictures

The rest of this thread is being left for future anthropologists to discover and study.

--------------------



This is a continuation of the "November 20 Venice Meet Thread" and the most important information in that thread is included in the first three posts of this one. These three posts will be updated as necessary.

A multi-day event (with the main attraction on Nov. 20) the Meet is scheduled for the ideal time for Venice: Off-season, offering major hotel bargains and low air fares, but still in a month when the weather is generally good.

What better time to meet in what is arguably Europe's most romantic city? And to top it off, a guided tour of Verona is being added!


Schedule


Friday evening, Nov. 19 : A pre-Meet meet at the Quadri Bar in St. Mark's Square. This is outdoor seating, usually with a band playing. If the weather is too cold, we will move indoors to Harry's American Bar (made famous by Hemingway.)

Saturday afternoon, Nov.20: A walking tour of the city.

Saturday night, Nov 20. The main Meet in a restaurant near the Casino in Venice (right off the Grand Canal).

Sunday, Nov. 21 and Monday, Nov. 22: Other events, including a tour of the glassworks on the island of Murano and visits to Venice's art museums.

Tuesday, Nov. 23: A guided tour of Verona.

Attending

Belle3388
Bianca
Canarsie
Chartreuse
Cholula
Dan1431
dedehans
Dorlee
Dovster
Dr. O2K
Franny
Hunki
Jerrie
KathyWdrf
KLC
Leonard
Lili-dui
Lili-dui's Un-named sister
Monitor
Mrs. Cholula
Ms. Everywhere
NickW
Obscure2K
Platbrowndude
PlatbrowngalQ
Platbrownguy
Punki
RalfKrippner
RalfKrippner's wife
Vasantn
Xavier9
Wahooflyer

Last edited by Dovster; Dec 7, 2004 at 2:46 pm
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Old Jun 19, 2004, 12:16 pm
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Hotel Accomodations

You are free to chose your own hotel but I strongly recommend the Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente. You can take a look at it at http://www.hotelaimoridoriente.it/

Why the Ai Mori? Because it is not only a beautifully decorated four star hotel (inside -- admittedly the outside doesn't look like much) but we have gotten a tremendous agreement with them thanks to Obscure2K, a good friend of the manager.

Deluxe double rooms there are quoted on their website as running from 250 Euros to 350 Euros per night in the offseason (that converts to $300 to $420.)

On various websites, like Hotels.com, there are special offers for the Ai Mori. Generally they are about $105-$130 for a standard room.

Obscure2K's friend advised her to have the Flyer Talkers search the net for the best price they can get for a standard room and make the reservation. They are then to send a letter to him at [email protected] and to put "Attention Marco Musco" in the subject line. In the letter, let him know what days you made the reservation for and that you are part of the FlyerTalk group. He will upgrade all FlyerTalkers to the superior rooms!

I suggest you make the reservations as early as possible. Each of these sites has a limited number of rooms available to it. (I took the last of the PlacesToStay rooms.) But be careful and make certain that you make your reservation at the Ai Mori d'Oriente (on Fondamenta della Sensa). There is also a place called Hotel Ai do Mori" near St. Marks.


Additionally, the hotel has arranged for a special shuttle (water taxi) which will take Flyer Talkers from the Ai Mori to the Rialto and St. Mark's Square.

Of course, if the discounted rooms run out you can make your reservation for the full price at the hotel website or -- as I would do -- look for another hotel. If you take a look at the discussion we had on the Delta Forum called "Venice Meet" you can find some good suggestions on where to stay.

Where We Are Staying

Ai Mori

Obscure2K -- Arriving Nov 14, spending two weeks.
Dr. O2K -- Arriving Nov 14, spending two weeks.
KathyWdrf -- Arriving Nov 18 UA 9086 13:30. Departing Nov. 25, UA 9058.
Monitor -- Arriving Nov 18 AZ 1455 14:55. Departing from FCO on Nov 29.
Franny -- -- Arriving Nov 18, AZ 1455 14:55. Departing from FCO on Nov 29.
Dovster -- Arriving Nov 18, departing Nov 22. (Will be in Milan Nov 12 - 27.)
Bianca -- Arriving Nov 18 by train or car, departing Nov 22.
Dorlee -- Arriving Nov. 18 AF 17:10. Departing Nov. 25 AF 12:35.
Leonard -- Arriving Nov. 18 AF 17:10. Departing Nov. 25 AF 12:35.
Xavier9 -- Arriving Nov 19 by train. Departing Nov 25, LH 4093.
Ms. Everywhere -- Arriving Nov 19, DL 144 09:45. Departing Nov 23, DL 145
dedehans -- Arriving Nov 19, DL 144 09:45. Departing Nov 21, DL 145.
KLC -- Arriving Nov 19, DL 144 09:45. Departing Nov 23, DL 145.
Hunki -- Arriving Nov 19, 09:49 on LH. Departing Nov 22.
Punki -- Arriving Nov. 19, 09:49 on LH. Departing Nov. 22.
Lili-dui -- Arriving Nov 19, 9:50 a.m. Lufthansa. Departing Nov. 25.
Lili-dui's Un-Named Sister -- Arriving Nov 19, 9:50 a.m. Lufthansa. Departing Nov. 25.
Platbrowngal Q -- Arriving Nov 19. 11:00, BA 2852. Departing Nov 22, 11:45.
Platbrownguy -- Arriving Nov 19, 11:00, BA 2852. Departing Nov 22, 11:45
Jerrie -- Arriving on Nov 19 AA 7777 11:45. -- leaving Nov 22.
Canarsie: Arriving Nov 19, 14:00, Czech Airlines flight 734. Departing Nov 23, 12:35, AF 1427.
Cholula -- Arriving AF1726, 14:20, Nov. 19. Departing AF 2427, Nov 24.
Mrs. Cholula -- Arriving AF1726, 14:20, Nov. 19. Departing AF 2427, Nov 24.
Belle3388 -- Arriving Nov 19 at 14:25 on AZ 1471. Departing Nov. 22.
Vasantn -- Arriving Nov 19. Departing Nov 21.
Jerrie -- Arriving on Nov 19 AA 7777 11:45. -- leaving Nov 22.
Chartreuse -- Arriving Nov 20, LH6525. Departing Nov 21, LH6526
Bianca -- Arriving Nov 20, departing Nov 22. (Lives in Milan.)

Westin Europa:

RalfKrippner -- Nov 20, LH2660, 10:20. Departing Nov 21, LH4089, 18:20.
RalfKrippner's wife -- Nov 20, LH2660, 10:20. Departing Nov 21, LH4089, 18:20.


Gritti Palace:

NickW -- Nov 20-21.

Boscolo Dei Dogi:

Platbrowndude: Arriving Nov 20, 4:45 pm. Departing Nov 22, 11:45.

La Locanda Gaffaro:

WahooFlyer: Arriving 16:45, Nov 18, BA2584. Deparing 17:30 Nov 23, BA2584

Hotel unknown:

Dan1431: Arriving Nov 19, Swiss. Departing Nov 25, Swiss.

Last edited by Dovster; Nov 17, 2004 at 1:38 am
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Old Jun 19, 2004, 12:17 pm
  #3  
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Internet

The Ai Mori has dataport connections in the rooms but if you want to have free dialup access anywhere in Italy you can find out how right here.

Venice Card

For information on the Venice Card, which gives you free access to water buses, museums, and the airport shuttle, see Post Number 155.


Prizes and Gifts

Following the tradition set at our PBI-FLL Meet, there will be some prizes and gifts being given out at the dinner. Feel free to join in by adding to the below list (see posts # 9 and 10).

At current, they include:

**A prize of frankincense, gold and myhrr to be awarded by lottery.

** Five Israeli t-shirts to be awarded by lottery.

**A mystery prize to be awarded by lottery.

** Cholula Hot Sauce t-shirts to be given to every F/Ter.

**10 prizes of 1 million each in real money. See post # 482 of the Delta thread for details.

** 10 bookmarks made from real woven miniature Turkish carpets.

**Photo book of San Diego landmarks.

**An unspecified but strongly hinted at something.

**"Some local things from Atlanta."

**Five Maine tree growing sets (to be mailed after the Meet).

**Thousands of Malagasy francs.

**Two miniature busts of Thomas Jefferson.

**Seven exotic treasures from China.

**Four Italian cloth Christmas calendars.

**Wall calendar - Italian movie posters.

**Wall calendar - Florida scenes.

**Book - "Aviation in Florida".

Last edited by Dovster; Nov 17, 2004 at 5:57 pm
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Old Jun 20, 2004, 8:18 am
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I have tenative plans to come to Venice for the meet. It's too far in advance for me to know where I will be the week before. It looks good the only question is whether or not I can get there in time for the Saturday festivities.
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Old Jun 20, 2004, 8:55 am
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Originally Posted by indufan
It looks good the only question is whether or not I can get there in time for the Saturday festivities.
Indufan, it's great that you will be with us but I urge you to try to make it by Saturday evening -- it will be well worth it.

If you can get on a Delta 8:10 pm flight out of JFK on Friday, you will arrive in plenty of time.

Of course, if you wait too long there might not be room at the Ai Mori, but I'm certain that you would be very happy at this hotel.
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Old Jun 20, 2004, 9:53 am
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Originally Posted by Dovster
I'm certain that you would be very happy at this hotel.
I know this is supposedly the serious thread but I couldn't resist a at your hotel reference....
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Old Jun 20, 2004, 11:43 am
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Originally Posted by Dovster
...I'm certain that you would be very happy at this hotel.
There's also a Ramada at I95 and Hillsboro that is much cheaper and only slightly less conveniently located.
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Old Jun 20, 2004, 12:10 pm
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Originally Posted by monitor
There's also a Ramada at I95 and Hillsboro that is much cheaper and only slightly less conveniently located.
This brings up a subject which was discussed at length in the other thread, but deserves a brief recounting here: Where to stay in Venice.

Obviously, I think that the Ai Mori d'Oriente is offering us a tremendous deal, but seeing as it is quite small (I seem to remember reading on one site it only has 41 rooms) and we won't be the only ones staying there, it may soon be full.

If you find yourself looking for a hotel but don't know Venice, keep the following in mind:

Main City: Venice is a collection of islands, but most of them are very close together, easily reachable by foot from any of the others, and together can be considered the "main city". This is unquestionably the most convenient of the possibilities. It is also the most expensive.

In turn, the main city is broken up into sections. The area around St. Marks Square demands the highest prices (for equivalent hotels), followed by the area near the train station. The rest of the city will provide much better bargains.

Mestre: This is where the above-mentioned Ramada is located. Generally, it has more of the American-type hotels in modern buildings. It is less expensive than the main city but to get to Venice itself you have to take a short train, taxi, or bus ride.

Lido: During the summer, prices at this beach resort go sky high but they fall tremendously during the off season. You will be able to pick up major bargains here and, like Mestre, you can drive your car to your hotel and avoid the high parking fees. The only way to get to Mestre is by ferry (with your car) or by water bus. These are very convenient during the day but less so at night.

Don't be fooled by statements in websites like "only 2 miles from St. Marks." That could well mean two miles by sea in a fairly dead island like Murano. If you have any question about where your hotel is located, find it first on a map or write to me.
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Old Jul 3, 2004, 1:09 am
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Door Prizes

A big ice-breaker at the PBI-FLL Meet were the door prizes. These were contributed by various FT'ers and given out by lottery. (Additionally, Cholula gave a bottle of hot sauce and a company t-shirt to everybody who came.)

Seeing as the Venice Meet is being held just before the Christmas season's traditional start (Thanksgiving Day) and only about 2 weeks befor the start of Hannukah, I think that gifts/door prizes would be especially apt for this do.

Nobody is required to bring any, and any person who attends will be eligible to win (whether he brings any or not). If somebody does want to supply something, I suggest that he not look for something expensive but rather something that represents either him personally or where he lives.

In my case, I will supply the following:

The Perfect Christmas Gift: Frankincense, gold and myrrh. (Specifically, a gold charm from Israel and small bottles of frankincense and myrhh.) One person will receive all three.

Five Israeli t-shirts: To be given to five different people.

All doorprizes will be awarded by lottery.
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Old Jul 3, 2004, 1:25 am
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Originally Posted by Dovster
A big ice-breaker at the PBI-FLL Meet were the door prizes. These were contributed by various FT'ers and given out by lottery. (Additionally, Cholula gave a bottle of hot sauce and a company t-shirt to everybody who came.)

Seeing as the Venice Meet is being held just before the Christmas season's traditional start (Thanksgiving Day) and only about 2 weeks befor the start of Hannukah, I think that gifts/door prizes would be especially apt for this do.

Nobody is required to bring any, and any person who attends will be eligible to win (whether he brings any or not). If somebody does want to supply something, I suggest that he not look for something expensive but rather something that represents either him personally or where he lives.

In my case, I will supply the following:

The Perfect Christmas Gift: Frankincense, gold and myrrh. (Specifically, a gold charm from Israel and small bottles of frankincense and myrhh.) One person will receive all three.

Five Israeli t-shirts: To be given to five different people.

All doorprizes will be awarded by lottery.

Excellent idea, Dovster. I will also bring the perfunctory T-shirts for everybody attending and will also purchase a door prize upon arrival in Venice that will be a memento of the trip....or we'll bring something that is Southern CA related. Maybe a surfboard equipped to navigate the canals....
At any rate, put us down for a T-shirt for everyone and a "mystery" gift that will be awarded by lottery.
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Old Jul 3, 2004, 9:28 am
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Put me in the considering category - depends on client base at the time (ie, $$). And I know this is blashpemy, but are there any Hilton or Marriotts around? A lot of the overseas do pick great local hotels but for those of us who need to keep our status...
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Old Jul 3, 2004, 9:57 am
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Sharon, it will be great if you can join us but I am afraid that I have some bad news on the hotel front.

Hilton is out. Apparently old Conrad just didn't like water or gondolas or something.

Marriott is almost out. There is no Marriott, per se, in Venice. The closest you can get is the Ramada in Mestre.

Ramada International is operated by Marriott and according to the website you can use your Marriott Reward points to get a free room but it does not say whether you can earn points by staying there.

Also, if you decide to go with the Ramada, keep in mind that it is in Mestre. Take a look at Post # 8 to see what this means.

Last edited by Dovster; Jul 3, 2004 at 2:21 pm
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Old Jul 3, 2004, 10:08 am
  #13  
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Wow, this is getting tempting. What a fun opportunity to see friends, new and old, and get to know a brand new (for us) city.

We will have to see how things shape up. November is sometimes a little crazy for us, but we will keep checking this out.
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Old Jul 3, 2004, 10:20 am
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Punki, I have just added you and Hunki to the "possible" list.

Venice? Tempting? I can't imagine why you would say that.

Just because it is on a lagoon in the Adriatic, is arguably the world's most romantic city (certainly its most unique one), has fantastic art collections, is a short ride from Verona (of "Romeo and Juliet" fame), offers delicious North Italian cuisine, and has incomparable architecture is no reason to consider it tempting.

Of course, throw in the fact it is off season so airfares are rockbottom and things start picking up. Then keep in mind that O2K got us a wonderful deal at a 4 star hotel and, yes, I can see where one might consider it tempting!
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Old Jul 3, 2004, 10:25 am
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Originally Posted by Punki
Wow, this is getting tempting. What a fun opportunity to see friends, new and old, and get to know a brand new (for us) city.

We will have to see how things shape up. November is sometimes a little crazy for us, but we will keep checking this out.
Originally Posted by SkiAdcock
Put me in the considering category - depends on client base at the time (ie, $$). And I know this is blashpemy, but are there any Hilton or Marriotts around? A lot of the overseas do pick great local hotels but for those of us who need to keep our status...

Wow...a couple of the long-time ( notice I didn't say "old" ) FT posters who are certainly on the short list of those I want to meet. Hope both of you can make this trip!
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