Venice for Under €100: Our 2 Day Campervan Challenge

[@motorroamingaround]

Well done guys sticking to your budget without compromising on a great time. The Aire also looked fab with easy access to the city. Keep safe. Irvine & Karen.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

We really enjoyed Venice and would definitely do it again which we don’t say about many cities 🚐

[@se3059]

I've huge admiration for your resourcefulness and ability to have an adventure/experience on such a tight budget. So many others pay 10* what you did yet will experience less than half of the adventure/satisfaction you achieved. It's a real skill to make the most of things in life on so little.....thank you for sharing and inspiring others to be more resourceful.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thank you - we love travelling and the only way we can do our extended trips is to try and keep to a budget - surprisingly it was really easy to do in Venice and we loved our visit there. We have struggled more in Slovenia and Croatia due to the campsite fees!! Our philosophy is that we are travelling and exploring - not on holiday - so we try to keep to a similar budget that we would have at home.

[@retirement-adventures]

Hi there. What was the name of the Air you stayed on near Venice. I would like to write it down for future reference. Kind regards, Stuart (Australia)

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Hi it was the San Giuliano aire that is on P4N app and also on google maps I think across the bridge from Venice

[@alanbenham4139]

Top job on EUR100. My sort of deal!

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

We reflected today that we had 48hrs for €88 including food, transport and aire - it cost us €93 just for 2 nights campsite fees on lake Bled and we enjoyed Venice way more!!

[@DeansGoTravelling]

You really captured the feeling of being in Venice, I loved that! There are so many interesting little things to see in the quieter side streets. We were there a few months ago and saw what I can only describe as a builder's boat with two guys rendering a wall while standing in the boat! Next time you visit you must see St Mark's Basilica - only costs 3 euros to get in and it's amazing! Thanks for a super video on Venice. Looking forward to seeing where you go next 😊

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

It wasn't hard to capture the beauty of the city and how vibrant it is. We also had to stand and watch how the builders worked and ferried themselves around on the boats- we were fascinated. One of our favourite areas was the academia region with all the little book and artshops - it felt much more laid back. We will definitely go back again as it was so easy and hardly out of our way as we were driving through to Slovenia and Croatia anyway. There is still so much for us to see and explore there.

[@kenbradshaw8983]

Another excellent video. Venice looked magical, just as I remember. Thank you for showing once again.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thanks - we absolutely loved it. There is something about historic Italian towns and cities.

[@christineomara4787]

Fabulous, we must go back there👍great vlog, thank you for sharing,😘 where did you get your camping chairs from? X

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

It was our first time ever to Venice and we loved it. It felt so easy to get around (I did let Richard do the navigating of all the alleyways) They are Helinox chairs which we treated ourselves to in Lockdown 😬 They were expensive but they are actually still like new and we went through so many sets of the fold up chairs before that - so we have probably broken even!!

[@christineomara4787]

Cheers, thank you, we bought our Nowhere Bound blanket thanks to you letting me know where you had it from sometimes nice to treat yourselves for some comforts 😊

[@commuterbranchline8132]

Well done guys you have proven Venice can be done affordably.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

What surprised us is that we didn't really have to make any big sacrifices and had an absolutely amazing time. Something we will definitely do again as there is still so much to explore using the ferries.

[@steenjakobsen3576]

Hey Richard amd Jackie, I just watch this video in its entire length even I’m at work! I must say that you really nailed it. THANK YOU 🙏 I will show Tiw and probably follow your footsteps this very summer 👍

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Ah Thankyou - we absolutely loved Venice, it had such a great vibe to it and although it was busy in the main tourist areas - there were still plenty of amazing little Piazzas and areas that were really quiet and equally as pretty. We will definitely go again one day 🚐

[@brendamchale2683]

We’re travelling to Normandy for a couple of weeks at the weekend and watching your channel has made us much more thoughtful about how we’ll manage our spending while we’re away. You’ve really highlighted how a great time can be had on a budget, without scrimping or missing out. We’re happier sitting on a wall sharing a pizza and a beer than we would be in a fancy restaurant anyway, so that helps!

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Have a great time in Normandy - it is a lovely region 🚐 We absolutely loved Venice and of course could have spent a small fortune but didn't feel like we were missing out on anything. We are not posh restaurant people either! My big treat is fish and chips when we are back in Yorkshire 😊 We have got used to being in a travelling frame of mind for our budgeting rather than being on holiday.

[@FrugalMrB]

Lovely video of your visit - it's an interesting city full of history and wonderful architecture. It shows that it is possible to visit 'destination' places whilst on a budget. Like you, I found that certain areas were really busy, but then you walk for a few minutes to a different street/square and you could have the place to yourself.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

We surprised ourselves how much we enjoyed it as we are not city people. It is somewhere we will visit again as there is still so much to see 😊

[@DorianRees-d2y]

What make are ur camping chairs please?

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Hi they are Helinox camping chairs - we bought them four years ago as we were fed up of our cheap chairs falling apart and although they are really expensive - they have lasted 4 long summers of heavy use and are still in excellent condition. They also fold up into a small bag which is great for us in a small T6

[@DorianRees-d2y]

@@earlyretirementwanderlust thank you

[@drinksafewater]

Brilliant - Thank you and may this channel grow!

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thank you 😊

[@joannesaunderson4506]

Loved seeing venice ❤️ and liked your music too !

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thanks Joanne- we try to keep everything relaxed🎵👍

[@DanKeeley]

(i think i know) but would you ever consider a bigger van with onboard facilities? maybe do your own van build?

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Hi Dan- yep- we are looking into a new van in the next two years...when we finally get our pensions. We are looking to go up a size into the panel van conversions so that we can have a loo and therefore use Aires more regularly. I can absolutely confirm that I have no skills to convert a van myself😂😂😂 R

[@colinsavidge9121]

try Osterias for good value local food.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Next time we go it will be on our list...and we are pretty sure we will return as we loved it so much. We are singing Venice's praises to anyone who will listen😂 Thanks for the comment👍

[@philbull818]

Venice is magical. We have been twice, arriving by train. You walk out of the station entrance and there is the Grand Canal right in front of you! I think it is only about a mile to walk to the Rialto bridge from there. We also found affordable places to eat in some little back streets. The main problem in Venice is the crowds. We went just after the Carnival at the end of February and the crowds were much reduced. Phil

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

It truly was magical - it surpassed both our expectations. We loved exploring the little alleyways that were really quiet - we did have to laugh when we came across the occasional huge guided tour group who were oblivious to other people and wow was it busy around Saint Marks Square!

[@jasonnicol8302]

Looked stunning, glad you enjoyed your visit.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Many thanks! We absolutely loved it - there are not many cities that I am keen to rush back to but Venice would be one.

[@annajeram9251]

Love Venice! 😎

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Us too❤️ A place we could happily go back to.

[@janehutchinson9999]

Lovely video, glad you enjoyed Venice and came in below budget😀

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

I know - I could have had another round of Aperols!! We loved Venice - it was a really awesome place to explore and actually not difficult to do on a budget.

[@gcsScotland]

Another enjoyable video. Lucky to have visited Venice twice after trips to the Dolomites doing Via Ferrata. Not usually a fan of cities but loved the place. As you say people should not be put off by crowds and prices as quiet spots can be found along with better value places to eat. We found some wee bars serving reasonably priced cicchetti which were amazing. You have me wanting to go back.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Glad you enjoyed it! How were the via ferrata's? I have never done one but have spent many hours on residential with kids on the climbing walls and in the Roaches in Staffordshire. We are pondering whether to have a go at an easy one while we are in the Dolomites next week. We loved exploring Venice and our favourite area was the Accademia region that had such a great vibe and lots of cheap cafes and bars. Venice is somewhere we will probably return to as it was so easy on our way to Slovenia.

[@gcsScotland]

@@earlyretirementwanderlust Via Ferrata’s are superb!!! Higher grade ones get you into some amazing exposed positions. I was a climber but my wife wasn’t, however, we worked through the grades over two excellent summers and she grew too love them. Most resorts have shops where you can hire the equipment needed and guides who offer instruction. If you’ve scrambled in the UK you should be ok on Grade 1 and 2 routes on your own. If possible start early to avoid crowds. Good luck.

[@jamieh2239]

great video, I love the practical tips and costs :)

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Glad you like them! We loved Venice 🚐

[@garethpearson174]

Are you going to do a costing of your hole trip keep the videos coming 👍👍🚐

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Hi - yes we will probably do a summary video at the end which include all costs 😊🚐 thanks for watching

[@MarkN-2022]

Great inspiration to all, going to visit the Italian lakes in 4 weeks. Are those Helinox chairs, if so which ones, can't decide between Chair2 or sunset

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thank you - which lakes are you visiting? They are all very beautiful with all the little towns and cafes along the shores. Yes they are Helinox chairs - I am pretty sure they are a sunset style but we have had them for over 4 years so I can't really remember. They were really expensive but we were fed up of our others breaking and these are still like new after 4 hard summers of use!

[@MarkN-2022]

Thanks, thought so, chairs on order. We are travelling to Roscoff first, then across France to a small lake site, Huttopia Lac d'Aiguebelette. From there to Lake Maggiore & planning from there. We have a date in Sienna mid August, quite an adventure. Planning the Atlantic Coast that you did next year😁

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

@MarkN-2022 sounds like a great trip this time - we really liked lake Maggiore

[@BallooSky]

Did you see many dogs about we are heading out and we travel with our dogs. Thanks for sharing

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

We did see people walking around with their dogs in the city - I am not sure about on any of the transport?

[@BallooSky]

@@earlyretirementwanderlust thanks, we are heading out July and Venice is on the route so good to know about the place you stayed in thanks again

[@SarahAllcoat]

Hi, we took our dog to Venice and it was really dog friendly. We used the ferries and it was fine with a dog. I think they're supposed to be muzzled on public transport but we spoke to locals and they said it's not needed. Btw having a dog is great because all the locals with dogs stop and chat and you get some good local info 😊. Right at the end of the lagoon is a park if your dog needs some down time or if like ours won't go to the toilet anywhere but on grass 😂

[@BallooSky]

@@SarahAllcoat that’s awesome info thanks.