Ok, so tell me what we MUST DO in Venice!

Not sure what I should plan...there's just SO much! I know I HAVE to do the Burano seafood lunch optioanl.

But what do you suggest?

Tacky I know but I would suggest a gondola ride as this is one of the things Venice is famous for. Some enjoy it, some think it is a waste of valuable time. I liked the peace and quiet of meandering along the canals. Take a wander around the small back streets if you like to see some of the retail shops. St Marks Cathedral is lovely to wander through too.

How many nights are you staying in Venice? Our tour only included two nights. After being in Venice I can say that two nights were not enough. What you want to do during the day depends on what are your interests. You are touring in February when it won't be crowded with tourists. That is a good thing because we were there in August, the height of the tourist season. It is also the month when the Italians are on holiday. You must see the interior of Saint Mark's Cathedral. There was a long line to enter the cathedral. I don't think you'll encounter a long line. Keep in mind that the churches in Italy are museums and they close in the mid-afternoon.
There are many shops behind Saint Mark. The streets are narrow.
By all means do the Burano tour. It was excellent.

Hibiscus: The gondola ride is one of those things that you either love because it's the "thing" to do in Venice and you can say "I've been in a gonola in Venice" or you find it really costly and it doesn't take you many places you can't see on foot. Certainly if you want the experience of having been in a gondola in Venice, go for it--the gondolier is dressed according to regulations (striped shirt, black pants) and in every picture you've ever seen; some wear the straw hat, some don't although I understand they're supposed to. They're also all supposed to sing but some shouldn't bother .
In other words, they do their best to meet your expectations .

By all means, go off the beaten track and by that I mean after you've seen St Marks, and yes, please go inside, it's magnificent, wander down some side streets. If you come across a thetare call Le Fenice, do go in. This theatre has burned down and has been built out of its ashes--hence the name, the Phoenix. It's also the theatre where many of the most famous operas of Puccini and Verdi premiered, so its history is wonderful and gift shop terrific.

Walk across the Accademia Bridge to the other side of the Grand Canal and experience the streets and very few tourists there. That's also where the Peggy Guggenheim art gallery is--if you're interested in modern art this is one of the world's finest collections--and other wonderful things. Near there is a traghetto stop where you can hop on a gonodola, yes, a real one, like the Venetians not the tourists, and for half a Euro you will be taken to the other side of the Grand Canal where you started.

I don't know if you'll have time for even half these things, because you'll be busy enough with what the tour itself comprises for Venice. Yes, do the Burano trip--although there are two ways of looking at it: 1) it does take a full afternoon away from main island Venice but b) it's wonderfully relaxing, the fish meal amazingly good, and the island absolutely a must-see. So, all these things to consider. Finally, Hibiscus, let me just say that doing nothing in Venice and just experiencing the ambience is enough to savour and enjoy to be imprinted on your memory forever.

And remember, I take to heart one of Canada's most famous authors who once said, no matter how cynical you become, it's not enough . I think she was talking bout politics but it's my mantra with most things having lived sooooo long.

Brenda

Jennete- Oh yes...gondola ride is a must do for me...I don't care how tacky really...I cannot WAIT for that!

RobertC- Yes, I was pretty sure I wanted to do St. Marks & the Bell tower. Thanks for the tips about the shops behind St.Marks.

I just wasn't sure if I should have a bunch of things planned or just meander & let venice happen for us. Probally a bit of both!

Great tips keep em' comin'!

I had already experienced two rides in a gondola. But it was to be the first ride for my wife, who was a bit doubtful, seeing how flimsy the boat looked.
Having persuaded her that it was safe, we set off down the grand canal.
All was going well, until the amphibious fire brigade came roaring past !!! The gondolier did a great job of manouvering the gondola into the waves, or we would have been swamped !!
..... and yes ! My wife would like another ride !!

quote:

Originally posted by nation:
... All was going well, until the amphibious fire brigade came roaring past !!! The gondolier did a great job of manouvering the gondola into the waves, or we would have been swamped !!...

Nation, that sounds half laugh-half cry! Was the water very dirty?

Brenda- GREAT advice, thank you! All of those things sound amazing!

Nation- Wow, that gondiler was workin' for his pay that day!

Visit the historic Palazzo Ducale di Venezia or Doge's Palace as it is called.

This is the only place in Venice where one can actually walk over the famous Ponte dei Sospiri or Bridge of Sighs.

Cat's

Hibiscus ~ How many nights are you in Venice? Because if it is only 2 nights which actually means one full day, you simply aren't going to have that much time. Sorry but it is a fact.

I love, love, love Venice & I say that so you know I am talking from the heart. O.K.?

You will (likely) arrive late afternoon of the 1st night & have the canal cruise then drinks in Piazza San Marco, this is a lovely experience. The gondola cruise will either be offered this day or the next, depending on the time of your arrival.

The next morning you will (likely) have the glass blowing demo, & do go to this as it is wonderful to watch & also see the products they make. Simply beautiful! Burano? I love it & think it is absolutely worthwhile seeing but it is a massive trade-off if this is your 1st visit. You are sacrificing half a day if you take this optional, your decision. Assuming you opt for Burano, after the glass blowing demo grab your husbands hand & get out of there pronto & walk your little feet off. Get right away from Piazza San Marco & you will be amazed how quiet it becomes & the wonderful sights waiting around every corner. Ahhhhhhhhh just writing this is making me smile How much time you have before you meet for Burano depends on when the TD decides to make it. I have had Burano for a lunch & also for early dinner. If dinner is not included on your 2nd night this may be what the T.D. opts for & this is the more ideal because it gives you more time in Venice.

Look at all your choices but be aware you will need to be flexible e.g. our 1st time in Venice I wanted to go inside San Marco, but the queue was horrendous. I asked those near the head of the queue how long they had been waiting & it was nearly 2 hours. We decided we did not want to lose 2 hours standing in a queue so did other things & saw San Marco the next time.

One thing I promise, no matter what you choose you will not be bored. Venice is a magical city that I think I would never tire of. I am soooo jealous of you visiting.

Whether the interior of San Marco is offered as an optional depends on the tour. Normally, as Dimpz says, if you try to do it on your own you're faced with huge lines but maybe not in February--lucky woman, perfect time of the year and no crowds. On our Trafalgar tour, it was an optional combined with the Doge's Palace which is breathtaking in a different way and nearly all our tourmates took the optional. It is one of the most important basilicas historically and one of the best examples of Byzantine architecture in the world, Hibiscus, so if it's offered, I encourage you to take the tour--you'll be bug-eyed I promise. No matter how much you will have already seen and you may well feel you're "churched" out, this one is different.

Though it's difficult to say in advance what will be offered, Hibiscus, and I forget which tour you're on, but they often have a list of optionals on the website, only some of which will actually be offered.

Brenda

Hibiscus ~ I really hope you are offered San Marco as an optional. It has been listed as a possible on our optionals list on our visits but never been offered

Like the Vatican far better if you can snag it as an optional

Once again do remember this will cut into your free time, although in this instance I would grab it. This is why research is such a great thing, you will arrive knowing what you want to do.

Hibiscus,
When we were in Venice on our tour, we did the gondola ride the first night we were there and then walked to St Mark's Square. Seeing it at night all lit up really was breathtaking. The next day we did the glass blowing demo and after buying way too much Murano Glass we went to Harry's Bar where Hemmingway hung out. Then we did the Doge's Palace and St Mark's Bsilica tour (well worth it, you go on a different line to get in so it doesn't take so long). After that is was off to Burano for lunch. So you can see by our experience that you really don't have too much free time to just walk around Venice unless you leave the glass place as soon as the demo is over. But the things that we did do were well worth the euro we paid for them.

Have a great time in Venice, wish I was back there again.

Traveling Dot

My favourite thing to do in Vernice is just wander and get lost, on my last visit to Italy I did a tour of the South and then spent nearly two weeks travelling on my own.. had four days in Venice.. got lost a couple of times.. but found a great mask shop.. Bought one small mask there but have to go back and buy the other one I jsut didn't know how I'd get it home and shipping cost was quoted as 80 euros

Later on when I was looking through my Lonely Planet book I found that this was one of the mask shops mentioned in there.. and the girl working there spoke good english - but then her mother lived in Sydney

Ok...ooohh, yay I'm getting excited here. We have "two" days so, the glass blowing demo is on the second day with the "day at lesuire" after that.

I totally get what Dimpz was saying about the optional taking most of the day, I am glad I have asked to see what your expreiences have been. I just heard amazing things abou the Burano luch BUT don't want to miss out on the city either.

SO, I have printed off the page with all the oiptionals & in my understanding, we won't be offered all of them. I'm not sure if I've seen the San Marco one, hmmm

brenda & Dimpz- You nboth have given me a small breath of fresh air from my stress here at home & let me dream a bit about Venice, (all of Italy for that matter)

One thing is for sure I'll definatly fill you all in on what we actually decided to do when the time comes. Until then, great things t to ponder, research & dream about, cheers!