Thinking of extending your stay in Venice?

If you are then don't forget that they have now introduced the Venice Tourist Tax, which adds up to  €5 per person per night to your stay. This tax introduced at the end of 2011 is on charged on a sliding scale from  €5 per person in a 5* hotel to €3 per person in a 3 star.

If you're staying in the neighbouring islands or Lido are the cost is slighty reduced to  €4.50 per person for a 5* hotel. Children under 10 are exempt for the charge and 11-16 year olds pay 50%
The city is  cleverly calling the charge a 'cultural donation' and  it is to go towards a £20 million restoration project to save Venice from the sea.

Venice is a beautiful and amazing city however it is an expensive place to stay. It will be interesting to see if this tax puts people off from staying there this summer. Personally I don't think it will,  €10 for a couple on a room is probably less than 10% of the hotel cost.

This tax has to be paid by the tourist and isn't included in costs advertised by travel agents or hoteliers so don't forget to have some Euros' with you to pay it.