Help with Venice itinerary
May 27th, 2004, 08:55 AM
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Help with Venice itinerary
We are spending three nights in Venice for our honeymoon in September and these are the things we are interested in doing/seeing:
St. Mark's Basilica and Square
Campanile bell tower
Doge's palace
Correr Museum
Frari church
Tour Accademia
Church of San Giorgio Maggiore
Cruise Grand Canal in vaporetto
Gondola Ride
and possibly visit Torcello and Burano
First, is this all possible in the amount of time we have. We arrive monday around 2 and leave early Thursday morning. Second, can you please help me with a daily itinerary. Third, is there anything else I should do or shouldn't do?
Thank you.
St. Mark's Basilica and Square
Campanile bell tower
Doge's palace
Correr Museum
Frari church
Tour Accademia
Church of San Giorgio Maggiore
Cruise Grand Canal in vaporetto
Gondola Ride
and possibly visit Torcello and Burano
First, is this all possible in the amount of time we have. We arrive monday around 2 and leave early Thursday morning. Second, can you please help me with a daily itinerary. Third, is there anything else I should do or shouldn't do?
Thank you.
May 27th, 2004, 09:06 AM
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That's a lot to do in the time you are there, but I suppose it can be done if all of these things are important to you. You've definitely included the main things that most people see in Venice. I would group these items/sites according to where they are located, so you don't do a lot of back tracking.
By doing all or most of these things, however, you won't have much time to wander and explore Venice, which is the way to really feel it's magic, IMHO. So, try to leave some time to just wander and get lost, along with sitting in a cafe or campo and people watching.
Just a couple of suggestions. Plan to arrive at the Basilica before 8 a.m. and just wait since the line tends to get long very quickly.
You can make advanced reservations for the Doge's Palace Secret Itinerary Tour if that interests you. See the "Helpful Info, Itay" thread for more info.
I would skip Torcello and Burano, and possibly even San Girogio Maggiore, since they will all eat up precious time.
Good luck in your planning. I'm sure you'll get a lot more helpful advice from all the Venice lovers here.
By doing all or most of these things, however, you won't have much time to wander and explore Venice, which is the way to really feel it's magic, IMHO. So, try to leave some time to just wander and get lost, along with sitting in a cafe or campo and people watching.
Just a couple of suggestions. Plan to arrive at the Basilica before 8 a.m. and just wait since the line tends to get long very quickly.
You can make advanced reservations for the Doge's Palace Secret Itinerary Tour if that interests you. See the "Helpful Info, Itay" thread for more info.
I would skip Torcello and Burano, and possibly even San Girogio Maggiore, since they will all eat up precious time.
Good luck in your planning. I'm sure you'll get a lot more helpful advice from all the Venice lovers here.
May 27th, 2004, 09:17 AM
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Hi crys,
www.multimap.com has a zoomable map of Venice.
If you google the museums and churches you will get their addresses.
Enter the address into the Venice map.
www.multimap.com has a zoomable map of Venice.
If you google the museums and churches you will get their addresses.
Enter the address into the Venice map.
May 27th, 2004, 09:19 AM
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You'll need a good map when you get there anyway; it may be helpful now to get your itinerary organized. We used a laminated "Artwise" map that highlights all the main attractions. I found it at Barnes and Noble but I'm sure you can get them online.
May 27th, 2004, 09:25 AM
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You should get a good map of Venice before you go and spend some time studying it. I used the National Geographic laminated map, which I bought at Barnes & Noble, and I highly recommend it. Studying a bit before you go will help a lot once you arrive Venice.
I would spend day one after your arrival just wandering around and getting yourself acquainted with Venice and her charms.
St. Mark's, the Campanile, Doge's Palace, and the Correr Museum are all right by one another at St. Mark's Piazza. I would plan these items for day two in the order they are listed.
The Accademia is not all that far if you take the Accademia bridge from the St. Mark's side of Venice. I would do this on day three.
Frari Church is in the San Polo area, so you could take the Rialto bridge across the Grand Canal from St. Mark's to head that direction. I would also do this on day three.
San Giorgio is an outer island located just across the bay from St. Mark's Piazza. You might have time to do this on day three, as well, but I would fit in a gondola ride and/or Grand Canal cruise over visiting San Giorgio. Just something to keep in mind if you get sidetracked and run out of time.
I would suggest getting on vaporetto #1 just before sunset for your cruise down the Grand Canal. You can get on at the train station to see the entire Grand Canal, or you can get on close to your hotel and ride out to the Lido and back. If memory serves me correctly, tickets are 5 Euro per hour.
As far as a Gondola ride, you can also do that just before sunset. I hired one before I arrived, so maybe somone else can give you pointers on the best area to hire a gondolier.
I hope this helps.
I would spend day one after your arrival just wandering around and getting yourself acquainted with Venice and her charms.
St. Mark's, the Campanile, Doge's Palace, and the Correr Museum are all right by one another at St. Mark's Piazza. I would plan these items for day two in the order they are listed.
The Accademia is not all that far if you take the Accademia bridge from the St. Mark's side of Venice. I would do this on day three.
Frari Church is in the San Polo area, so you could take the Rialto bridge across the Grand Canal from St. Mark's to head that direction. I would also do this on day three.
San Giorgio is an outer island located just across the bay from St. Mark's Piazza. You might have time to do this on day three, as well, but I would fit in a gondola ride and/or Grand Canal cruise over visiting San Giorgio. Just something to keep in mind if you get sidetracked and run out of time.
I would suggest getting on vaporetto #1 just before sunset for your cruise down the Grand Canal. You can get on at the train station to see the entire Grand Canal, or you can get on close to your hotel and ride out to the Lido and back. If memory serves me correctly, tickets are 5 Euro per hour.
As far as a Gondola ride, you can also do that just before sunset. I hired one before I arrived, so maybe somone else can give you pointers on the best area to hire a gondolier.
I hope this helps.
May 27th, 2004, 09:54 AM
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Good suggestions above. Here's my take.
Go to an early morning mass at the Basilica, arrive by 8am, go in the entrance on the left side, say you are there for mass. The mass is charming even if you aren't Catholic, and you get to gaze at your surroundings and listen to the lovely chanting. When it's over, you are already inside and can proceed to sightsee. Pay the fees to see the Pala d'Oro (gold and jewel-encrusted altar piece) and to go upstairs to the loggia to see the outdoor view of the Piazza.
Then go to see the Doge's Palace, rent the audio guide so you know what you are looking at. By this time it's noon or so. Get on a vaporetto and go to Torcello and/or Burano, have lunch on one or the other.
On another day, go early to the Accademia. Leave there,walk to the Frari church. Have a snack or gelato or lunch in campo Santa Margherita.
In the afternoon, visit Correr Museum. Take boat to San Giorgio church. Come back and have an overpriced snack or lunch or drink at Florian or Quadri, at an outdoor table, and you will be charged extra if the band is playing. You won't forget the time you spend sitting there, it's worth the silly price.
Another day:Walk to Cannareggio, cross the Rialto Bridge, take lots of pictures. Visit a church or two along the way, stop at small Ca'd'Oro museum and or visit the old Jewish Ghetto--fascinating for most people. Continue to train station. Pick up the vaporetto
that makes all the stops on the return trip to San Marco from the station, I think it's the #1, but I'm drawing a blank at the moment. Website for transport is www.actv.it
Enjoy the ride on the Grand Canal toward San Marco.
A printable guide to the buildings you will see along the Grand Canal: www.stb.dircon.co.uk/venice_guide.pdf
The Lonely Planet guidebook for Venice also has an illustrated guide to sights along the Grand Canal.
I'd suggest getting off before San Marco, at Accademia. Walk toward the Guggenheim Museum or Salute church.
Even if you don't go inside either, it's a nice walk through Dorsoduro section.
Any of the above half days can be mixed and matched depending on weather.
Do the Grand Canal trip and San Giorgio in good weather, for the views.
I have a file on Venice; if you'd like to see it, email me at
[email protected]
Go to an early morning mass at the Basilica, arrive by 8am, go in the entrance on the left side, say you are there for mass. The mass is charming even if you aren't Catholic, and you get to gaze at your surroundings and listen to the lovely chanting. When it's over, you are already inside and can proceed to sightsee. Pay the fees to see the Pala d'Oro (gold and jewel-encrusted altar piece) and to go upstairs to the loggia to see the outdoor view of the Piazza.
Then go to see the Doge's Palace, rent the audio guide so you know what you are looking at. By this time it's noon or so. Get on a vaporetto and go to Torcello and/or Burano, have lunch on one or the other.
On another day, go early to the Accademia. Leave there,walk to the Frari church. Have a snack or gelato or lunch in campo Santa Margherita.
In the afternoon, visit Correr Museum. Take boat to San Giorgio church. Come back and have an overpriced snack or lunch or drink at Florian or Quadri, at an outdoor table, and you will be charged extra if the band is playing. You won't forget the time you spend sitting there, it's worth the silly price.
Another day:Walk to Cannareggio, cross the Rialto Bridge, take lots of pictures. Visit a church or two along the way, stop at small Ca'd'Oro museum and or visit the old Jewish Ghetto--fascinating for most people. Continue to train station. Pick up the vaporetto
that makes all the stops on the return trip to San Marco from the station, I think it's the #1, but I'm drawing a blank at the moment. Website for transport is www.actv.it
Enjoy the ride on the Grand Canal toward San Marco.
A printable guide to the buildings you will see along the Grand Canal: www.stb.dircon.co.uk/venice_guide.pdf
The Lonely Planet guidebook for Venice also has an illustrated guide to sights along the Grand Canal.
I'd suggest getting off before San Marco, at Accademia. Walk toward the Guggenheim Museum or Salute church.
Even if you don't go inside either, it's a nice walk through Dorsoduro section.
Any of the above half days can be mixed and matched depending on weather.
Do the Grand Canal trip and San Giorgio in good weather, for the views.
I have a file on Venice; if you'd like to see it, email me at
[email protected]
May 27th, 2004, 10:01 AM
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Statia has the right idea. My only additional suggestion is to spend an evening at the Piazza in front of San Marco Basilica, listening to the music, people watching and enjoying the atmosphere. We stayed right by the piazza so were there every evening - the big crowds are gone fairly early, and it's very romantic. Enjoy!
May 27th, 2004, 10:03 AM
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A note: as you are going to San Giorgio Maggiore, which as a viewing tower/belltower, you might not need to do the Campaniel as well.
St. Mark's Basilica, Doges Palace and the square took us a day: you might manage the Correr as well if you don't dawdle as long in the Doges Palace and Basilica as we did.
San Giorgio we did in the morning of another day, following a ride up the Grand Canal. Frari church and some general exploring were done in the afternoon. Here's where you could fit in your gondola ride.
You might manage the Accademia late on your first day as we did (it's open till 19:00) - makes a great introduction to the art of Venice.
We had a third day which we used for Ca Rezzonico, general chores and the Ghetto. As an alternative for a third day, you could do the islands, but as you only have two full days, I'd scrap the islands this time.
Bon voyage.
St. Mark's Basilica, Doges Palace and the square took us a day: you might manage the Correr as well if you don't dawdle as long in the Doges Palace and Basilica as we did.
San Giorgio we did in the morning of another day, following a ride up the Grand Canal. Frari church and some general exploring were done in the afternoon. Here's where you could fit in your gondola ride.
You might manage the Accademia late on your first day as we did (it's open till 19:00) - makes a great introduction to the art of Venice.
We had a third day which we used for Ca Rezzonico, general chores and the Ghetto. As an alternative for a third day, you could do the islands, but as you only have two full days, I'd scrap the islands this time.
Bon voyage.
