Visiting Italy -help!

[MrsAmera 41]

Totally OT but I thought I might be able to get some help here! My Moroccan husband and I will be in Morocco in May 2009 and we've always dreamed of going to Venice. I want to surprise him with a 4 day getaway. Can anyone tell me how hard the visa will be to get? We've just applied for his 10 yr GC and he has Moroccan citizenship. Should we apply in the US or can he apply in Morcco and if it doesn't matter where do you think would be easiest? Also hotel suggestions in Venice- it's pretty pricy, and while we're not filthy rich we would like to have a nice place to stay. We've never had a honeymoon so this woud be it. Any othe sugestios I'll take 'em!

Thanks

Amera

[Otto 83]

Totally OT but I thought I might be able to get some help here! My Moroccan husband and I will be in Morocco in May 2009 and we've always dreamed of going to Venice. I want to surprise him with a 4 day getaway. Can anyone tell me how hard the visa will be to get? We've just applied for his 10 yr GC and he has Moroccan citizenship. Should we apply in the US or can he apply in Morcco and if it doesn't matter where do you think would be easiest? Also hotel suggestions in Venice- it's pretty pricy, and while we're not filthy rich we would like to have a nice place to stay. We've never had a honeymoon so this woud be it. Any othe sugestios I'll take 'em!

Thanks

Amera

Your husband would need a visa for Italy (and presumably most EU countries) - you can apply from within the US Click HERE I presume he is here in the US (here would be the easiest I imagine).

No real ideas for Venice hotels...

[mkg265 2]

I suggest the city of Mestra. It's right outside of Venice and only 10 minutes to the center of Venice via .60 euro train. I stayed in an American chain hotel right outside the Mestra train station and it was rather nice. It was just redone and had an excellent breakfast. Much cheaper than Venice center!

Your husband's visa maybe tricky because their is a huge amount of illegal Moroccans (and Albanians!) in Italy.

[Jenn! 918]

Your husband's visa maybe tricky because their is a huge amount of illegal Moroccans (and Albanians!) in Italy.

This may be true - it's one of the reasons we have not returned to Italy and will not until after his citizenship.

You may be fine though since he's a green card holder and as long as you can prove his ties to the U.S. The Italian consulate here in Boston is pretty stringent - I had to jump through several hoops in getting student and work visas to Italy as a USC.

Good luck! I'm very jealous - I love Venezia! Oh, and sorry I don't have any good hotel suggestions - I was always in hostels since hotels there are definitely not cheap.

[Maad 0]

Your husband's visa maybe tricky because their is a huge amount of illegal Moroccans (and Albanians!) in Italy.

This may be true - it's one of the reasons we have not returned to Italy and will not until after his citizenship.

You may be fine though since he's a green card holder and as long as you can prove his ties to the U.S. The Italian consulate here in Boston is pretty stringent - I had to jump through several hoops in getting student and work visas to Italy as a USC.

Good luck! I'm very jealous - I love Venezia! Oh, and sorry I don't have any good hotel suggestions - I was always in hostels since hotels there are definitely not cheap.

The OP doesn't need an Italian visa per se. Any other EU visa will do, eg: Spanish, German, French, Belgian.

Presently, with the Schengen zone law, one needs only a visa from one of the EU country to be able to visit any of them.

Oh, BTW, anyone can suggest any good ski resort in Italian Alps?

Edited December 6, 2008 by Maad

[HighwayStar 0]

For hotels (in Venice and elsewhere), I'd like to suggest an excellent website with very good prices: www.hotelclub.net. Hotels in Venice are notoriously expensive, and this is why many people choose to sleep in Mestre. However, though cheaper, the town (which is part of the Venice municipality) is quite ugly and depressing, and before making a decision it's worth having a look at cheaper options. BTW, another good travel site to check is TripAdvisor (www.tripadvisor.com), which offers hotel reviews written by travellers.

As regards the skiing resorts, I would highly recommend the Dolomites region, in north-eastern Italy. Have a look at the TripAdvisor website for further details. I am quite familiar with a number of resorts in the area, though I used to visit them in summer rather than in winter.

[mkg265 2]

Doesn't look like anyone will see Venice soon! Last time I checked St. Marks Square was under 3 feet of water. They are working on a new damning system that will be ready in 2011.

Mestre is drab but no different from the multitude of sketchy suburbs that surround large Italian cities. The price difference between Mestre and Venice gave my husband and I the ability to stay 2 extra days.

If you go mid summer be forwarded there is a smell the moment you step outside the train station. Didn't notice it in March (too cold for anything to rot) but it June it almost made me ill. It think it is a combination of all the tourists, standing water and the waste that cruise ships put out.

[Maad 0]

As regards the skiing resorts, I would highly recommend the Dolomites region, in north-eastern Italy. Have a look at the TripAdvisor website for further details. I am quite familiar with a number of resorts in the area, though I used to visit them in summer rather than in winter.

I do not like to rely on information filtered/pushed by any media, dot.com included.

That's why I am asking for first hand info

Which Dolomites village/resort would you recommend as nice, eye catching and tourist friendly?