annetti

Do you need reservations in late July? How do you book them? It did not appear from the Italian language website that tickets could be ordered there, but since I don't read Italian, I may well have missed it. Suggestions appreciated. Thanks very much.

OReilly

I was in Venice a few weeks ago and purchased my tickets for the Accademia and the Dog’s Secret Tour through this site. It is more expensive, but a few Euros, but I think its defiantly preferable to lining up with the crowds

http://www.weekendavenezia.com/bigph...ve&skin=ve

greg

I was in Venice few weeks ago. I read in this forum that by planning the visit time, you can get in without waiting. I got in at 15:00 without waiting.

There were no shortage of tourists in the City. The cruise ships were pouring into the channel in the morning. Doge's palace and the Basilica San Marco had enormous lines.

If I were to book it, I would have emailed my hotel.

caroline_edinburgh

I booked in advance but when we arrived, at 9am on a Sunday, we were the only people there.

annetti

Thanks, everyone for your replies. How long did you spend at the museum? How long would you suggest for a comfortable and relaxing visit? Also,is the museum air-conditioned? Thanks very much.

caroline_edinburgh

It was nice and cool, yes. We probably spent about 3 hours there which was enough for us, but if you were very interested you could spend a lot longer I imagine.

annetti

Thank you, Caroline

OReilly

You COULD spend the day there but I think after 3 hours you get overloaded. Rent the audio-guide so you can see the main treasures.

mikeyb

Hi A,

I totally agree with OReilly especially about the audio guide.

nessundorma

I think that the Accademia is very intelligently arranged. It is front loaded with its best works, which means that if after an hour or so you feel overloaded, you have already seen the best the museum has to offer, and can leave.

It's a fantastic museum, one of the best in Europe, so I wouldn't skip it. But in my opinion, a two hour visit is a comfortable max, and you can always go back if you feel you wanted more.

annetti

Thanks, everyone. We booked admission to the museum. It may be possible, we won't need it, but I hated to take a chance and wait in line. The choice was flexibility (going when we wished) or waiting in line. We chose the latter. I would hate to miss the museum only because we could not handle the long wait.

zizz

I was there a couple of weeks ago. Got in at around 2PM. There were no lines. There is a number you can call to reserve a spot ahead of time. When I got there the a/c was not working. It was incredibly hot and we really couldn't appreciate much of it after awhile.

annetti

Error - I meant to say that we chose the former, that is, buy tickets in advance. Sorry to hear about the a/c not working. It really cuts down on the pleasure of viewing paintings. Last yr in Berlin, we were miserable at one of the museums.