Venice - must see items?
Sep 1st, 2008, 12:45 PM
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Venice - must see items?
In a few weeks, we'll be in Venice. We are arriving by plane, and leaving by train. We will have 2 complete days, and 2 half days (the day of arrival, and the day of departure). There are 6 of us, and we have a hotel just behind San Macro Square.
I have a few questions that are nagging at me:
1) How do I get from the airport to the hotel? It will be about 2:30 in the afternoon? I'd like a solution that won't break my entire budget.
2) How do I get from the hotel to the train station 3 days later? We leave at about noon or so.
3) I mostly just want to wander and take in the atmosphere of Venice, but what are the "must see" places? So far I have:
a) Rialto bridge / market
b) San Marco Square/Basilica
c) Doge's Palace
d) Murano (or whichever island makes the glass)
4) I'd like to visit a church or two, like maybe Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari?
That's it. I'd like to work up an itinerary, with 2 full days, and the 2 half days in mind. I probably can't do much on the 2 half-ish days, unless there is something close by that won't take too long.
I suppose I should count on pretty much a whole day for the trip to Murano.
Then perhaps another day for San Macro's square, Basilica and the Doge's Palace. I heard that there is the "Secret Itinerary" tour of the Doge's Palace - do I need to reserve this ahead of time, and how do I do that from the US?
I'm really looking forward to a few days in Venice, and I want to see a few of the normal things, but I don't want to press to hard, so that we can relax a bit too.
I have a few questions that are nagging at me:
1) How do I get from the airport to the hotel? It will be about 2:30 in the afternoon? I'd like a solution that won't break my entire budget.
2) How do I get from the hotel to the train station 3 days later? We leave at about noon or so.
3) I mostly just want to wander and take in the atmosphere of Venice, but what are the "must see" places? So far I have:
a) Rialto bridge / market
b) San Marco Square/Basilica
c) Doge's Palace
d) Murano (or whichever island makes the glass)
4) I'd like to visit a church or two, like maybe Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari?
That's it. I'd like to work up an itinerary, with 2 full days, and the 2 half days in mind. I probably can't do much on the 2 half-ish days, unless there is something close by that won't take too long.
I suppose I should count on pretty much a whole day for the trip to Murano.
Then perhaps another day for San Macro's square, Basilica and the Doge's Palace. I heard that there is the "Secret Itinerary" tour of the Doge's Palace - do I need to reserve this ahead of time, and how do I do that from the US?
I'm really looking forward to a few days in Venice, and I want to see a few of the normal things, but I don't want to press to hard, so that we can relax a bit too.
Sep 1st, 2008, 01:08 PM
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A vaporetto trip down the Grand Canal (or two or three...) is a must see. It helps you appreciate all the buildings built along the canal.
Not sure if it is a "must see" but if you want to fit in some churches besides St Mark's I'd consider the Palladian church of San Gregorio Maggiore on the island across from St. Mark's. There are hundreds of others.
Murano is the lagoon island with glass making. The others are Burano (lace making, more attractive with painted houses) and Torcello (my favorite, cathedral with great mosaics--see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torcello)
Murano would not take a full day unless you spent an incredible amount of time looking at the glass
you aren't listing museums so I assume they are not as high a priority for you. There are many good ones to explore--also lots of artwork in the scuole (charitable fraternities)
On the first "half ish" day I'd just plan to wander around. If you can get up early--and this probably won't be as hard as staying up the night before with jet lag--I'd try to get out to St. Mark's square early at least one morning before hordes of other tourists descend.
Not sure if it is a "must see" but if you want to fit in some churches besides St Mark's I'd consider the Palladian church of San Gregorio Maggiore on the island across from St. Mark's. There are hundreds of others.
Murano is the lagoon island with glass making. The others are Burano (lace making, more attractive with painted houses) and Torcello (my favorite, cathedral with great mosaics--see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torcello)
Murano would not take a full day unless you spent an incredible amount of time looking at the glass
you aren't listing museums so I assume they are not as high a priority for you. There are many good ones to explore--also lots of artwork in the scuole (charitable fraternities)
On the first "half ish" day I'd just plan to wander around. If you can get up early--and this probably won't be as hard as staying up the night before with jet lag--I'd try to get out to St. Mark's square early at least one morning before hordes of other tourists descend.
Sep 1st, 2008, 01:36 PM
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>>> A vaporetto trip down the Grand Canal (or two or three...) is a must see. It helps you appreciate all the buildings built along the canal.
Help me get the watercraft straight. The vaporetto is like a bus - they have fixed routes, and you get on and off when you want? A water-taxi is a like a taxi - you pay to go from one point to the next, and its just you and not 50 other people? And the gondola is the little hand pole powered, romantic, and expensive craft?
I definately want to see the grand canal from the water, so taking the "bus" (vaporetto) from one place to another will do it. Do they have 3 days "passes" that you can get?
We might spring for a gondola ride for the 6 of us. Is this better in the morning or evening (any rough water times to worry about?).
>>> ... if you want to fit in some churches besides St Mark's I'd consider the Palladian church of San Gregorio Maggiore on the island across from St. Mark's.
I'd really like this, but there are 5 others who might not want to. Perhaps this is a solo trip for me for a few hours.
>>> If you can get up early--and this probably won't be as hard as staying up the night before with jet lag--I'd try to get out to St. Mark's square early
Shouldn't be a problem. We are coming from Paris where we will have been for a few days. Then this should be how we start out the day for San Macro and the Doge's Palace.
>>> you aren't listing museums so I assume they are not as high a priority for you
Not a priority. Museums tend to take too long, and we'd rather be out in the town, experiencing the environment, than standing in a museum. Those will have to wait for another trip.
>>> Murano would not take a full day unless you spent an incredible amount of time looking at the glass
We aren't planning on spending a long time. Just thought that it might be some distance away, and the round trip might eat up all the time. Perhaps we can stop at Burano for the rest of that day. I'm not really interested in the glass too much, but some others of us are. Burano sounds better to me - more picturesque.
On paper what I've listed makes sense, but not having been there, its hard to get an idea of the amount of time that might be involved. Thanks for the reality check on time things will take.
Help me get the watercraft straight. The vaporetto is like a bus - they have fixed routes, and you get on and off when you want? A water-taxi is a like a taxi - you pay to go from one point to the next, and its just you and not 50 other people? And the gondola is the little hand pole powered, romantic, and expensive craft?
I definately want to see the grand canal from the water, so taking the "bus" (vaporetto) from one place to another will do it. Do they have 3 days "passes" that you can get?
We might spring for a gondola ride for the 6 of us. Is this better in the morning or evening (any rough water times to worry about?).
>>> ... if you want to fit in some churches besides St Mark's I'd consider the Palladian church of San Gregorio Maggiore on the island across from St. Mark's.
I'd really like this, but there are 5 others who might not want to. Perhaps this is a solo trip for me for a few hours.
>>> If you can get up early--and this probably won't be as hard as staying up the night before with jet lag--I'd try to get out to St. Mark's square early
Shouldn't be a problem. We are coming from Paris where we will have been for a few days. Then this should be how we start out the day for San Macro and the Doge's Palace.
>>> you aren't listing museums so I assume they are not as high a priority for you
Not a priority. Museums tend to take too long, and we'd rather be out in the town, experiencing the environment, than standing in a museum. Those will have to wait for another trip.
>>> Murano would not take a full day unless you spent an incredible amount of time looking at the glass
We aren't planning on spending a long time. Just thought that it might be some distance away, and the round trip might eat up all the time. Perhaps we can stop at Burano for the rest of that day. I'm not really interested in the glass too much, but some others of us are. Burano sounds better to me - more picturesque.
On paper what I've listed makes sense, but not having been there, its hard to get an idea of the amount of time that might be involved. Thanks for the reality check on time things will take.
Sep 1st, 2008, 02:15 PM
#4
Hi, jdan,
it sounds as if you need to do some preliminary reading to get a "feel" for Venice, else you might come away disappointed. that applies to the rest of your party too, as you shouldn't be bearing all the planning burden!
For example, there's nothing easier than just hopping on the vaporetto to get over to the San gregorio [think you mean san giorgio] island and from there hopping back to the zattere and exploring dorsoduro. you won't need a few hours for this sumple trip and the others woudl like it too - terrfic views from the church tower and it's half the price of the campanile in St. Mark's square and hardly any queues.
there are vaporetto passes for 3 days - just have a look at www.hellovenezia.com. if you buy them at the airport, you can use them to get the bus into Venice - catch it from just in front of the airport building; alternatively use the blue ATVO bus which costs €3 each and is non-stop into the piazzale Roma, where all the buses stop, and from where you can catch your vaporetto to San Marco and your hotel which should tell you the best way to find them.
if you prefer to approach from the water, you can catch the alilaguna boat from the airport docks [€12 each] to san marco, or a water taxi, which at €90 wouldn't be that much more between 6 of you.
once you are there, you could spend the afternoon wandering around san Marco or getting on a vaporetto as above and exploring dorsoduro. if you leave it til late in the pm, you might get into the accademia [major art museum] with no queue at all.
the next day would be a good time to have booked the secret tour of the doge's palace [includes the opportunity to self-guide round the rest afterwards] - see www.turismovenezia.it and follow the links to museums where you can book on-line. you can also book a slot to tour the basilica on line at www.veniceinside.it. [it's free!]
in the afternoon you could take a gondola ride or jump on a vaporetto and see where it takes you.
the next day would be your only chance to see the islands - get up early to go to the rialto market, then walk up to the Fondamente nuove and catch the ferry to Burano - such a pretty place. either have lunch there, or catch the shuttle boat to Torcello and have lunch there - we had a lovely meal at the ristorante attila - which has a great fire you might appreciate in the winter. tour the C10 basilica there and then catch the boat back to Burano and have a cup of coffee in a cafe there.
then catch the ferry back to Venice but get off at the Faro stop on Murano, and walk through the streets to the centre, [optional glass touring/buying] where you can catch another ferry back to Venice.
that should take you all day.
next morning do some shopping, buy some sandwiches for the journey, then catch the vaporetto to "ferrovia" [you'll see these signs to the railway station and other land-marks on all the walls in Venice] and catch your train.
hope that helps,
regards, ann
it sounds as if you need to do some preliminary reading to get a "feel" for Venice, else you might come away disappointed. that applies to the rest of your party too, as you shouldn't be bearing all the planning burden!
For example, there's nothing easier than just hopping on the vaporetto to get over to the San gregorio [think you mean san giorgio] island and from there hopping back to the zattere and exploring dorsoduro. you won't need a few hours for this sumple trip and the others woudl like it too - terrfic views from the church tower and it's half the price of the campanile in St. Mark's square and hardly any queues.
there are vaporetto passes for 3 days - just have a look at www.hellovenezia.com. if you buy them at the airport, you can use them to get the bus into Venice - catch it from just in front of the airport building; alternatively use the blue ATVO bus which costs €3 each and is non-stop into the piazzale Roma, where all the buses stop, and from where you can catch your vaporetto to San Marco and your hotel which should tell you the best way to find them.
if you prefer to approach from the water, you can catch the alilaguna boat from the airport docks [€12 each] to san marco, or a water taxi, which at €90 wouldn't be that much more between 6 of you.
once you are there, you could spend the afternoon wandering around san Marco or getting on a vaporetto as above and exploring dorsoduro. if you leave it til late in the pm, you might get into the accademia [major art museum] with no queue at all.
the next day would be a good time to have booked the secret tour of the doge's palace [includes the opportunity to self-guide round the rest afterwards] - see www.turismovenezia.it and follow the links to museums where you can book on-line. you can also book a slot to tour the basilica on line at www.veniceinside.it. [it's free!]
in the afternoon you could take a gondola ride or jump on a vaporetto and see where it takes you.
the next day would be your only chance to see the islands - get up early to go to the rialto market, then walk up to the Fondamente nuove and catch the ferry to Burano - such a pretty place. either have lunch there, or catch the shuttle boat to Torcello and have lunch there - we had a lovely meal at the ristorante attila - which has a great fire you might appreciate in the winter. tour the C10 basilica there and then catch the boat back to Burano and have a cup of coffee in a cafe there.
then catch the ferry back to Venice but get off at the Faro stop on Murano, and walk through the streets to the centre, [optional glass touring/buying] where you can catch another ferry back to Venice.
that should take you all day.
next morning do some shopping, buy some sandwiches for the journey, then catch the vaporetto to "ferrovia" [you'll see these signs to the railway station and other land-marks on all the walls in Venice] and catch your train.
hope that helps,
regards, ann
Sep 1st, 2008, 02:26 PM
#5
Yes, u described the transportation options correctly. Another option is the traghetto which are gondola ferries that take you across the grand canal at 7 different locations.
There are a couple of ways to get from VCE airport to Venice. We took the ATVO bus the cheapest option
http://tinyurl.com/66t7vf
which dropped us at Piazzale Roma in Venice's historic center. From there we were able to walk to our hotel. U can also get to the vaporetto line from the Piazzale. Another option perhaps more direct to St. Marks square is the Aliaguna
http://www.alilaguna.it/ I would ask your hotel what they recommend.
U can take the vaporetto to the train station.
We loved Santa Maria Gloriosa-definitley worth a visit.
If u like art, a small museum that doesnt take a lot of time is the Peggy Guggenheim.
We thought Burano to be lovely, very picturesque, but with the short amount of time u have in Venice I'd skip it and spend more time wandering around Venice.
Definitely go to St Mark's square early -- it gets really packed and is a joy to wander around in the am.
Have a great trip!
There are a couple of ways to get from VCE airport to Venice. We took the ATVO bus the cheapest option
http://tinyurl.com/66t7vf
which dropped us at Piazzale Roma in Venice's historic center. From there we were able to walk to our hotel. U can also get to the vaporetto line from the Piazzale. Another option perhaps more direct to St. Marks square is the Aliaguna
http://www.alilaguna.it/ I would ask your hotel what they recommend.
U can take the vaporetto to the train station.
We loved Santa Maria Gloriosa-definitley worth a visit.
If u like art, a small museum that doesnt take a lot of time is the Peggy Guggenheim.
We thought Burano to be lovely, very picturesque, but with the short amount of time u have in Venice I'd skip it and spend more time wandering around Venice.
Definitely go to St Mark's square early -- it gets really packed and is a joy to wander around in the am.
Have a great trip!
Sep 1st, 2008, 02:52 PM
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Yes, Ann--San Giorgio (not San Gregorio) church and Island. My bad
Another type of boat transit you might want to try is a traghetto, a gondola ferry that goes across (as opposed to up and down) the canal at points between bridges
http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/.../traghetto.htm
Another type of boat transit you might want to try is a traghetto, a gondola ferry that goes across (as opposed to up and down) the canal at points between bridges
http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/.../traghetto.htm
Sep 1st, 2008, 05:12 PM
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Definitely Santa Maria Gloriosa (Frari) is worth the visit as its a fantastic church that is full of great art. The Scuolo Grande de San Rocco is directly behind the Frari and is also worth an hour of your time. It's amayzing to think a fraternal organization met in such a grand space.
Sep 1st, 2008, 05:24 PM
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For your short trip I wouldn't spend the time to go all the way to Burano--it's 45 minutes away from the main island. Murano is just 10 minutes away, but I'm not sure I'd bother with that either--unless you plan to visit the glass museum, it's just a bunch more glass shops with a few touristy glass-blowing demonstrations. I'd save it for the afternoon of your second full day and only go there if you feel the need then. Without the museum, an hour or two on Murano should be enough.
The 3-day pass is actually a true 72-hour pass. It might cover your entire visit. For example, we arrived in Venice on Day 1 and validated (stamped) our 72-hour tickets just before we boarded our first vaporetto at 10:30am. We used it on Days 1, 2, 3 and even for our ride to the train station on Day 4 at 8:30am, since the pass was still active until 10:30am that day.
Definitely visit the Frari--very interesting--the luminescent Bernini alone is worth the visit. If you're in the area, I enjoy a quick visit to San Pantalon for the mind-boggling trompe l'oeil ceiling.
The 3-day pass is actually a true 72-hour pass. It might cover your entire visit. For example, we arrived in Venice on Day 1 and validated (stamped) our 72-hour tickets just before we boarded our first vaporetto at 10:30am. We used it on Days 1, 2, 3 and even for our ride to the train station on Day 4 at 8:30am, since the pass was still active until 10:30am that day.
Definitely visit the Frari--very interesting--the luminescent Bernini alone is worth the visit. If you're in the area, I enjoy a quick visit to San Pantalon for the mind-boggling trompe l'oeil ceiling.
Sep 2nd, 2008, 07:40 AM
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I don't believe there is a Bernini sculpture in the Frari church. However, Bellini's Madonna Triptych as well as Titian's Assumption of the Virgin are both located there. I would definitely recommend a visit.
For a great view of Venice, take the elevator to the top of the Campanile. There is also a great view of Piazza San Marco from the outdoor balcony of Basilica San Marco (where the 4 bronze horses, or Quadriga, are located).
If you would like to try the drink named after the artist (Bellini) at the bar that created it, stop in at Harry's Bar.
For a great view of Venice, take the elevator to the top of the Campanile. There is also a great view of Piazza San Marco from the outdoor balcony of Basilica San Marco (where the 4 bronze horses, or Quadriga, are located).
If you would like to try the drink named after the artist (Bellini) at the bar that created it, stop in at Harry's Bar.
Sep 2nd, 2008, 10:15 AM
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Such great ideas. Thanks.
I'm hoping to have the time to just wander, with no particular destination in mind, taking in the "essence" of Venice.
We're staying just behind San Marco, so any particular direction that I should wander in from there - any particular side streets that just scream "Venice"?
I'm hoping to have the time to just wander, with no particular destination in mind, taking in the "essence" of Venice.
We're staying just behind San Marco, so any particular direction that I should wander in from there - any particular side streets that just scream "Venice"?
Sep 3rd, 2008, 04:13 AM
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Try to find the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo with the tower with distinctive exterior staircase you see in lots of pictures. It is off the Campo Manin near the Rialto. Unfortunately if I understand the information on the official website correctly you can't climb the tower right now
Sep 3rd, 2008, 06:19 AM
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jdan: We were in Venice last September. The Grand Canel by boat (vaparetto, taxi, or gondola) is a great way to see parts of the city and get around to the main attractions quickly. We purchased the 72 hour pass; however, we did not use it as much as I thought we would. Venice is a wonderful place to get "lost" in the back streets. One thing to remember though is that if you walk the back streets, there are A LOT of bridges. And if it rains, things flood rather quickly. It rained while we were there and they brought out "tables" for everyone to walk on in San Marco because it was under 4-5 inches of water. Keep that in mind when deciding your footwear for the day.
One of the best things was the dancing at night under the stars in San Marco. They had a couple of bands outside at the restaurants and everyone was dancing. It was truly a sight to see hundreds of people dancing in the square. And if you did not sit down, it was a free evening of entertainment.
One of the best things was the dancing at night under the stars in San Marco. They had a couple of bands outside at the restaurants and everyone was dancing. It was truly a sight to see hundreds of people dancing in the square. And if you did not sit down, it was a free evening of entertainment.
Sep 3rd, 2008, 06:37 AM
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Sorry I haven't read every single post here but it sounds like you still don't have an answer on getting from the airport and to the train station. The Alilaguna is the water bus service that goes from the airport into Venice proper (like the vaporetto but only serves the airport) but I think for 6 people @ 12e/person, you might as well take a water taxi which is also a lot faster. The alilaguna will make many stops before getting to San Marco. If your hotel is on the water, a water taxi will take you right to their dock. The Alilaguna and the water taxis are both in the same place at the airport and you must walk from the terminal.
http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/...ater-taxis.htm
2)From the hotel to the train station, I think a vaporetto will be cheaper than a water taxi, but if you have a lot of luggage, you might want the convenience of the water taxi.
http://www.venice-rentals.com/info/routes.html
http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/...ater-taxis.htm
2)From the hotel to the train station, I think a vaporetto will be cheaper than a water taxi, but if you have a lot of luggage, you might want the convenience of the water taxi.
http://www.venice-rentals.com/info/routes.html
Sep 3rd, 2008, 05:44 PM
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Several of you have mentioned the 72 hour pass. It looks like this is 31 euros. If single each vaporetti pass is 6.50 (and is good for 60 minutes of transfers), then you would break even after 5 rides. Does this include Murano and Burano as well? A ride out to Murano and Burano, could take 4 single ride passes. It seems that would almost pay for the entire 72 hour pass.
But it does not include the alilaguna to/from the airport. I can't seem to find a price for a single alilaguna ride.
I have found information about "the Venice Card", that is a 72 hour pass that includes unlimited vaporetti, and public toilets (for about 33 euro). For only 2 euro more, might be worth it.
You can add the alilaguna for about 20 euro more. I haven't seen the alilaguna fares, but we won't be returning to the airport. We're leaving from the train station, which is covered by the vaporetti pass. I can't imagine a one-way alilaguna fare being 20 euro.
But it does not include the alilaguna to/from the airport. I can't seem to find a price for a single alilaguna ride.
I have found information about "the Venice Card", that is a 72 hour pass that includes unlimited vaporetti, and public toilets (for about 33 euro). For only 2 euro more, might be worth it.
You can add the alilaguna for about 20 euro more. I haven't seen the alilaguna fares, but we won't be returning to the airport. We're leaving from the train station, which is covered by the vaporetti pass. I can't imagine a one-way alilaguna fare being 20 euro.
Sep 3rd, 2008, 06:18 PM
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You can find Alilaguna info here:
http://www.alilaguna.it/
Alilaguna fares are about 12€
Both the Venice card and the 72-hour pass would cover the fare to Murano or Burano.
The 72-hour pass used to be a bit cheaper, so the Venice Card was not so similar a value.
http://www.alilaguna.it/
Alilaguna fares are about 12€
Both the Venice card and the 72-hour pass would cover the fare to Murano or Burano.
The 72-hour pass used to be a bit cheaper, so the Venice Card was not so similar a value.
Sep 3rd, 2008, 07:34 PM
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If your are considering taking Alilaguna from the airport to Venice proper, then I would suggest you take a private water taxi instead. With the number of people in your party, the cost will probably only be an extra 3-8 euros each. But the trip will be like nothing you have ever experienced and is a wonderful introduction to the city. If your hotel is on a navigable canal, they will practically deliver you to their door.
