While that messaging might contribute to the growing overcrowding, there are ways that travelers can find gentler ways to experience the Italian gem. “It is important to do everything we can to preserve the city,” Berna says, “While most travelers associate Italy with summer, mild winters make Italy the perfect place to visit during the off-season.” During the popular months, he suggests going beyond St. Mark’s Square by using the vaporetto (public waterbus). “Stay longer and support locally owned businesses, hotels, restaurants, and services in the quieter and less-visited parts of the city,” he says.
That includes including “a bit of strategy in your approach to roaming the city,” he says, by avoiding the busiest areas. “In fact, the farther you walk from these spots, the more magical the atmosphere will become. Ditch Google maps and get utterly lost for at least a couple hours. Wake at sunrise and walk to Piazza San Marco where you will likely find this astounding place to yourself. Venice really is a different city during the earliest hours of the day.”
For Louise, it’s all about staying attentive to residents and their needs. “Locals can share valuable insight for what’s right for their community in Venice,” she says. That might include visiting and staying in specific parts of town and neighborhoods that might benefit more from spreading out the tourist traffic.
By deferring to the those on the ground, visitors can help support the areas that need it most. “Supporting the local economy is a big way to have a positive impact on the community,” she says. “Think about the businesses you are investing in and where those dollars are going and who they benefit.”
If Venice does make the List of World Heritage in Danger, it will join 55 other sites, including the historic center of Vienna, Austria; the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls; and the Everglades National Park in Florida.
“Venice is a fiercely fragile city facing unique challenges, a place where tourism is largely destructive,” Berna says. “Traveling here is a delicate balance between sightseeing and preserving; enjoying and respecting; and spending your money responsibly.”
