Venice
Feb 19th, 2017, 05:48 AM
#1
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Venice
Hello
I and my husband will spend 3 days in Venice . We have planned the first day for St.Mark's square and museums ,the second day for getting lost in narrow streets and the last day for Murano and Burano. Is there anything you can advise me to do along with these options such as a must see or must eat , some advice from the locals maybe.
Thank you
I and my husband will spend 3 days in Venice . We have planned the first day for St.Mark's square and museums ,the second day for getting lost in narrow streets and the last day for Murano and Burano. Is there anything you can advise me to do along with these options such as a must see or must eat , some advice from the locals maybe.
Thank you
Feb 19th, 2017, 06:02 AM
#2
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We loved Venice over the holidays this year!
One tip would be to head to the islands early and leave either early afternoon or later...we stood in line for ages trying to get back to Venice...
The restaurants we loved were
https://www.osterianicestellato.com
http://www.ristorantelocal.com
http://ristorantealcovo.com
You can see our pics here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...57674400954854
Happy planning
One tip would be to head to the islands early and leave either early afternoon or later...we stood in line for ages trying to get back to Venice...
The restaurants we loved were
https://www.osterianicestellato.com
http://www.ristorantelocal.com
http://ristorantealcovo.com
You can see our pics here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...57674400954854
Happy planning
Feb 19th, 2017, 06:23 AM
#3
Hi argadon,
I thin that I would divide my time up a little differently, but seeing one major sight per day, preferably first thing and then leaving the rest to chance, having already identified other places that we think would appeal to us which are in the same area or easily reached from the major sight.
For example, on day 1 I might book an early slot to see the basilica [it costs nothing to book, i believe and they allow you 10 minutes] and then a tour of the Doge's Palace [the secret tour takes longer and we enjoyed it but you might like just to see the palace which takes less time].
If you are finished by noon, you could head over to the church of Santa Maria della Salute, and then get a vaporetto to the island of Giorgio, where there is a tower with a view that is the rival of the one in St Mark's Square, but it's cheaper with shorter queues. Another hope will bring you to the Guidecca where there are little restaurants to sit in and have lunch and streets to wander around. Then hop over to the other side of the canal to the Zattere and sit in the sun with an ice-cream, or go to the Guggenheim or Academia [you may need reservations for those but we never have]. finally wander back to your hotel by vaporetto of foot perhaps calling in at an Osteria for an ombra [glass of wine] or Spritz [drink made of white wine plus aperol or campari] and some cicchetti [tiny venetian snacks, like tapas in Spain].
On day 2 I would start early at the Rialto Fish market, then go to the Frari and the Scuola grande di San Rocco nearby, and see which ever of the Guggenheim and the Academia I had missed the say before. This will give you plenty of scope for wandering and exploring as you go from place to place and you will soon get the hang of the place [remember to look up when you get to the corner of a building where there are signs painted to tell you which direction you are going in]. repeat Ombra/Spritz and cicchetti as the day before.
Day 3 I would go to Burano and Torcello [ not Murano which IME is a terrible tourist trap]; on Torcello is one of my favourite places in Venice namely the Basilica which is over 1000 years old. It was the first part of Venice to be settled and I find that it has a unique atmosphere. There is also a tower to climb and a very interesting museum. On the way back there are several restaurants that do reasonable food - we ate at the Trono di Attila which is a typical venetian hostelry. You can always call back at Murano on the way back and get another vaporetto back to Venice from there.
I would strongly advise getting a 3 day vaporetto pass - you will be able to see more of Venice that way and being able to get on the vaporetto and let this beautiful city glide past is something I never tire of.
Day 3
I thin that I would divide my time up a little differently, but seeing one major sight per day, preferably first thing and then leaving the rest to chance, having already identified other places that we think would appeal to us which are in the same area or easily reached from the major sight.
For example, on day 1 I might book an early slot to see the basilica [it costs nothing to book, i believe and they allow you 10 minutes] and then a tour of the Doge's Palace [the secret tour takes longer and we enjoyed it but you might like just to see the palace which takes less time].
If you are finished by noon, you could head over to the church of Santa Maria della Salute, and then get a vaporetto to the island of Giorgio, where there is a tower with a view that is the rival of the one in St Mark's Square, but it's cheaper with shorter queues. Another hope will bring you to the Guidecca where there are little restaurants to sit in and have lunch and streets to wander around. Then hop over to the other side of the canal to the Zattere and sit in the sun with an ice-cream, or go to the Guggenheim or Academia [you may need reservations for those but we never have]. finally wander back to your hotel by vaporetto of foot perhaps calling in at an Osteria for an ombra [glass of wine] or Spritz [drink made of white wine plus aperol or campari] and some cicchetti [tiny venetian snacks, like tapas in Spain].
On day 2 I would start early at the Rialto Fish market, then go to the Frari and the Scuola grande di San Rocco nearby, and see which ever of the Guggenheim and the Academia I had missed the say before. This will give you plenty of scope for wandering and exploring as you go from place to place and you will soon get the hang of the place [remember to look up when you get to the corner of a building where there are signs painted to tell you which direction you are going in]. repeat Ombra/Spritz and cicchetti as the day before.
Day 3 I would go to Burano and Torcello [ not Murano which IME is a terrible tourist trap]; on Torcello is one of my favourite places in Venice namely the Basilica which is over 1000 years old. It was the first part of Venice to be settled and I find that it has a unique atmosphere. There is also a tower to climb and a very interesting museum. On the way back there are several restaurants that do reasonable food - we ate at the Trono di Attila which is a typical venetian hostelry. You can always call back at Murano on the way back and get another vaporetto back to Venice from there.
I would strongly advise getting a 3 day vaporetto pass - you will be able to see more of Venice that way and being able to get on the vaporetto and let this beautiful city glide past is something I never tire of.
Day 3
Feb 19th, 2017, 06:39 AM
#4
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Get lost !
This is imo indeed the best way to see Venice.
We got a map at the tourist info and when we were lost somewhere we would look if there was a palace nearby.
There always is. Great visits.
This is imo indeed the best way to see Venice.
We got a map at the tourist info and when we were lost somewhere we would look if there was a palace nearby.
There always is. Great visits.
Feb 19th, 2017, 07:19 AM
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If you can bring yourselves to rise well before official sunrise time one morning - an hour or so before at least, then you can have an unforgettable experience by doing this:
Walk to Rialto in the dark - at that time you can take the marked "main drag" since the shops will be shuttered and the lanes empty. Now ignore the occasional overhead street lamp - you can imagine yourselves in Venice centuries ago.
At Rialto the wholesale market will be in full swing - all boats, no trucks of course. Great sights and sounds - your cameras will love it. A couple of cafés are early openers so a brioche and a coffee will go down well.
Walk on, to S.M. and the waterfront, marvel at the pretty glass lamps against the sky that gets lighter and lighter, until the sun comes up across the bay.
This could easily be the longest-lingering memory of your Venice trip, but you have to be brutal with the alarm or you miss it.
Walk to Rialto in the dark - at that time you can take the marked "main drag" since the shops will be shuttered and the lanes empty. Now ignore the occasional overhead street lamp - you can imagine yourselves in Venice centuries ago.
At Rialto the wholesale market will be in full swing - all boats, no trucks of course. Great sights and sounds - your cameras will love it. A couple of cafés are early openers so a brioche and a coffee will go down well.
Walk on, to S.M. and the waterfront, marvel at the pretty glass lamps against the sky that gets lighter and lighter, until the sun comes up across the bay.
This could easily be the longest-lingering memory of your Venice trip, but you have to be brutal with the alarm or you miss it.
Feb 19th, 2017, 07:59 AM
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Agree with all that has been said - especially the getting lost and the walking the streets late, or early, when no one is around - truly magical.
My only suggestion would be maybe some of the major sights both mornings and getting lost both afternoons.
Have fun.
My only suggestion would be maybe some of the major sights both mornings and getting lost both afternoons.
Have fun.
Feb 19th, 2017, 10:33 AM
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Spent 10 days in Venice. I thought going to St. Marks first thing was the thing to do---WRONG, wrong, wrong. EXTREMELY CROWDED. Light though the windows is great at around noon. No people at all at the end of the day. These were my observations from 10 days of passing bye.
Depending on time of year (re: flooding) then reservations don't matter or I should say are not honored.
Off to the left of the building is the entrance for worshipers if you fit the description.
Can you fit in a gondola class or cooking class?
Depending on time of year (re: flooding) then reservations don't matter or I should say are not honored.
Off to the left of the building is the entrance for worshipers if you fit the description.
Can you fit in a gondola class or cooking class?
Feb 19th, 2017, 12:35 PM
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Another vote to skip Murano and go to Torcello and Burano...you take the boat to Burano, which is very nice with a lace museum, and then a very short boat ride to Torcello.
Other good advice is to get lost. Venice is the quintessential walking city. Believe it or not, it is possible to go where there are no tourists. I know this from personal experience.
ssander
Other good advice is to get lost. Venice is the quintessential walking city. Believe it or not, it is possible to go where there are no tourists. I know this from personal experience.
ssander
Feb 19th, 2017, 02:03 PM
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When going to Burano, get off the vap at Mazzorbo, and it is a short stroll over to Burano via a vineyard nd a bridge.
Returning from Burano to Venice, if the vaporetto line looks long, walk back to Mazzorbo. They have to let you board the vap at Mazzorbo no matter how crowded it is.
Returning from Burano to Venice, if the vaporetto line looks long, walk back to Mazzorbo. They have to let you board the vap at Mazzorbo no matter how crowded it is.
Feb 19th, 2017, 04:28 PM
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When we were there a few years ago they turned the lights on INSIDE St Mark's around midday for an hour.
Go upstairs to the museum - small entry fee - as this is where the REAL, magnificent, bronze horses are. (The ones that you see above the entrance are copies). From up there you are closer to the wonderful mosaics and have a wonderful view of everything below you. You can go downstairs when you are finished upstairs.
Without the lights you miss the spectacle of these magnificent mosaics that really sparkle in the lights.
Go upstairs to the museum - small entry fee - as this is where the REAL, magnificent, bronze horses are. (The ones that you see above the entrance are copies). From up there you are closer to the wonderful mosaics and have a wonderful view of everything below you. You can go downstairs when you are finished upstairs.
Without the lights you miss the spectacle of these magnificent mosaics that really sparkle in the lights.
Feb 19th, 2017, 11:44 PM
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Peter...
Thanks for the tip about returning via Mazzorbo. We got off at Mazzorbo (because wanted to take the pleasant walk to Burano), but didn't know about the advantage of returning that way. Luckily the vap wasn't too crowded at the Burano stop for our return, but good to know for our next visit.
ssander
Thanks for the tip about returning via Mazzorbo. We got off at Mazzorbo (because wanted to take the pleasant walk to Burano), but didn't know about the advantage of returning that way. Luckily the vap wasn't too crowded at the Burano stop for our return, but good to know for our next visit.
ssander
Feb 19th, 2017, 11:45 PM
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OK to disagree, Wo. And just so you know, Burano was wall-to-wall tourists over Christmas. The boats there and back were packed no matter what time of day you went. I think Scott and Jamikins experienced the same thing. It's still a pretty place, but the crowds were daunting.
Feb 19th, 2017, 11:59 PM
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If you are looking for a self-guided walk to an area that is not crowded with tourists, try Walk #17, "Contemporary Gardens and Ancient Castles" in <em>Frommer's 24 Great Walks in Venice</em>.
The book is old (so may be hard to find), but we did the walk last spring and it still worked really well.
Another way to avoid the throngs is to start at Salute, walk south to the Giudecca Canal and then head west along the fondamenta.
About a mile away (20 minutes not counting a stop for a drink or lunch along the canal), the area to the west of Chiesa di San Sebastiano was almost completely devoid to tourists when we were there. Then we crossed Rio Rafael and headed northeast back toward Frari (and the crowds). It was very pleasant.
ssander
The book is old (so may be hard to find), but we did the walk last spring and it still worked really well.
Another way to avoid the throngs is to start at Salute, walk south to the Giudecca Canal and then head west along the fondamenta.
About a mile away (20 minutes not counting a stop for a drink or lunch along the canal), the area to the west of Chiesa di San Sebastiano was almost completely devoid to tourists when we were there. Then we crossed Rio Rafael and headed northeast back toward Frari (and the crowds). It was very pleasant.
ssander
Feb 20th, 2017, 06:48 AM
#18
I must have missed something on Torcello. We saw and toured the church. Is there something else?>>
by church do you mean the Basilica, V? the one with the 1000+ year old mosaics? i've been twice now and just love the atmosphere, though both times it was colder inside than it was out! There is also the bell tower and a surprisingly interesting museum. And restaurants [always close to my heart].
by church do you mean the Basilica, V? the one with the 1000+ year old mosaics? i've been twice now and just love the atmosphere, though both times it was colder inside than it was out! There is also the bell tower and a surprisingly interesting museum. And restaurants [always close to my heart].
Feb 20th, 2017, 07:51 AM
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Torcello also has "the throne" and a nature preserve. The museum is quite interesting, and the Basilica is magnificent (two Tintorellos! Who would have thought? In addition to the mosaics). OK, it's a small, very quiet island (history explains why very clearly), but it's a pleasant refuge for a couple of hours at least from the madness of the main parts of Venice and the bigger islands.
