What must we see in our 2 days in Venice?
Dec 22nd, 2010, 12:37 PM
#1
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What must we see in our 2 days in Venice?
I know we will go to St. Mark's Square....here are some other things I thought my family would enjoy. By the way...my kids are 16, 12, 9. Any suggestions on what is a must. We will be inundating our kids with history / art in Rome....so trying to just get them use to Italy after a long flight. What are your thoughts...where should I take them?
Rialto Market
Church of San Zaccharia
Frari church
Scuola Dalmata
Santa Elana
Gondola Ride...is a for sure. Is it worth it to pay more for the singers?
Doge Palace/ Bridge of Sighs...heard I should skip this.
Walking tour
Accademia
So....I arrive on Sunday at 8:30am and have all day. I also have all day Monday. We leave early on Tuesday for a train to florence. What can I do in on day. What will take the entire day?
Appreciate any other suggestions.
Grazia
Rialto Market
Church of San Zaccharia
Frari church
Scuola Dalmata
Santa Elana
Gondola Ride...is a for sure. Is it worth it to pay more for the singers?
Doge Palace/ Bridge of Sighs...heard I should skip this.
Walking tour
Accademia
So....I arrive on Sunday at 8:30am and have all day. I also have all day Monday. We leave early on Tuesday for a train to florence. What can I do in on day. What will take the entire day?
Appreciate any other suggestions.
Grazia
Dec 22nd, 2010, 02:53 PM
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Skip the rialto Market even though it is one of my favorite things to do. Your timing is just off. Both the fish and the vegetabkle market are closed on Sunday and the fish market is also closed on Monday. The vegetables, while interesting, pale in comparison to all the squiggly, squishy things at the Fish Market.
I'm not big on gondola rides, but to each his own. If it were me, I'd spring for a water taxi ride from the airport on arrival. Around 100 euro or slightly more than a gondola ride, but oh so more exciting IMHO. Depending on where you are staying, the sleek speedboats can get you very close if not at their front door. The price is for the whole boat for up to 8 people and luggage.
Doges Palace is interesting. Basilica San Marco is lovely, spring for the museum upstairs in the entrance. The oribginal horses are there and you get a very close view of the mosaics and get to go out on the loggia itself.
Venice is very much like a huge museum, so I wouldn't real concerned if you didn't make it to your whole list.
I'm not big on gondola rides, but to each his own. If it were me, I'd spring for a water taxi ride from the airport on arrival. Around 100 euro or slightly more than a gondola ride, but oh so more exciting IMHO. Depending on where you are staying, the sleek speedboats can get you very close if not at their front door. The price is for the whole boat for up to 8 people and luggage.
Doges Palace is interesting. Basilica San Marco is lovely, spring for the museum upstairs in the entrance. The oribginal horses are there and you get a very close view of the mosaics and get to go out on the loggia itself.
Venice is very much like a huge museum, so I wouldn't real concerned if you didn't make it to your whole list.
Dec 22nd, 2010, 03:19 PM
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You must see water -- it's everywhere.
As for touring, there's no such thing as an attraction that you must visit -- who knows your interests better than you?
The Doge's Palace is fantastic, but crossing the Bridge of Sighs itself is not particularly interesting. View that from outside and take the seemingly obligatory pictures.
Not sure a walking tour, presumably guided by someone, is necessary. Venice is great to wander through.
Ponte dell'Accademia is very nice.
As for touring, there's no such thing as an attraction that you must visit -- who knows your interests better than you?
The Doge's Palace is fantastic, but crossing the Bridge of Sighs itself is not particularly interesting. View that from outside and take the seemingly obligatory pictures.
Not sure a walking tour, presumably guided by someone, is necessary. Venice is great to wander through.
Ponte dell'Accademia is very nice.
Dec 22nd, 2010, 03:21 PM
#4
I've been to Venice just twice, 5 days each time. I just wandered around. And around and around. I'm not big on the gondola thing, but think riding the #1 vaporetto route down the Grand Canal is extraordinary.
Dec 22nd, 2010, 06:19 PM
#6
The torture chamber at the Doge's palace might appeal to your kids, I think on the secret itineraries tour.
Given your numbers i too would splurge on the water taxi. But then I would also take the group on a gondola ride, because I'm pretty sure the price is the same for 1 or 6, so for your group it is cost effective, relatively. Not sure about splurging on the singer, as there is much to see and enjoy anyway, and you can hear the singers if you walk along the Grand Canal at night, especially near Rialto. Night time in San Marco with the orchestras playing is neat, and you can walk around/enjoy the music without paying 12 euros for sparkling water.
Personally I like to get a vaporetto pass and get on and off them at will or as space allows. As mentioned the #1 for a full circle is a must. Try to get seats in front (non commute time).
Given your numbers i too would splurge on the water taxi. But then I would also take the group on a gondola ride, because I'm pretty sure the price is the same for 1 or 6, so for your group it is cost effective, relatively. Not sure about splurging on the singer, as there is much to see and enjoy anyway, and you can hear the singers if you walk along the Grand Canal at night, especially near Rialto. Night time in San Marco with the orchestras playing is neat, and you can walk around/enjoy the music without paying 12 euros for sparkling water.
Personally I like to get a vaporetto pass and get on and off them at will or as space allows. As mentioned the #1 for a full circle is a must. Try to get seats in front (non commute time).
Dec 23rd, 2010, 03:59 AM
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travelforkids.com/Funtodo/Italy/venice.htm ·
Lots of good stuff for kids here...
Hit the big tourist areas like San Marco early
like at 8AM B4 tour buses arrive for leadt crowds.
The Bronze Stallions in the San Marco museum are amazing
from Constantinople 3rd century oldest sculptures in Venice.
Take them to Torcello Island where it all began
get pictures of them in Atilla the Hun's seat
to teach them some living history.
Happy Journey,
Lots of good stuff for kids here...
Hit the big tourist areas like San Marco early
like at 8AM B4 tour buses arrive for leadt crowds.
The Bronze Stallions in the San Marco museum are amazing
from Constantinople 3rd century oldest sculptures in Venice.
Take them to Torcello Island where it all began
get pictures of them in Atilla the Hun's seat
to teach them some living history.
Happy Journey,
Dec 23rd, 2010, 04:02 AM
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Dec 23rd, 2010, 04:05 AM
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Atilla's Throne cool 9th century Mosaics there as well
http://www.italylogue.com/things-to-...ce-lagoon.html
http://www.italylogue.com/things-to-...ce-lagoon.html
Dec 23rd, 2010, 07:02 AM
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I spent two very full sightseeing days in Venice a while ago, and was able to see:
-St. Mark's Basilica
-Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs
-Ca' d'Oro
-Ca' Rezzonico
-Campanile de San Marco
-Peggy Guggenheim Collection
-Galleria dell'Accademia
-Scuola Grande di San Rocco
-Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
-Museo Civico Correr
in that amount of time. And I also did a lot of strolling around the city taking in the architecture and seeing the shops and such.
The only attraction I was not too taken with was the Ca' d'Oro. If you want to jettison anything from this list because of time constraints, I'd drop first the Ca' d'Oro and next the Correr Museum.
-St. Mark's Basilica
-Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs
-Ca' d'Oro
-Ca' Rezzonico
-Campanile de San Marco
-Peggy Guggenheim Collection
-Galleria dell'Accademia
-Scuola Grande di San Rocco
-Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
-Museo Civico Correr
in that amount of time. And I also did a lot of strolling around the city taking in the architecture and seeing the shops and such.
The only attraction I was not too taken with was the Ca' d'Oro. If you want to jettison anything from this list because of time constraints, I'd drop first the Ca' d'Oro and next the Correr Museum.
Dec 23rd, 2010, 08:20 AM
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I loved St. Mark's Basilica. Your kids will love going up to the indoor balcony, the gorgeous ceiling, the view from the outdoor balconies. It's very cool.
The gondola ride is my favorite thing in Venice, but for it's romance! So I think you should do it with your significant other, and leave the kids in the hotel room or at a gelateria for that hour. They might be too young to appreciate it? But maybe not.
I LOVE the Peggy Guggenheim Museum!! Your kids will love that. Walking around Dorsoduro where Guggenheim is is fun b/c it's lots of locals.
Who doesn't have fun chasing the pigeons in San Marco square? That also makes for great photo ops, obvs especially for your kids.
The old Jewish Ghetto is very interesting and moving.
Oh and a trip to the island of Murano to see how Murano glass is made! Your kids will love that and so will you.
The gondola ride is my favorite thing in Venice, but for it's romance! So I think you should do it with your significant other, and leave the kids in the hotel room or at a gelateria for that hour. They might be too young to appreciate it? But maybe not.
I LOVE the Peggy Guggenheim Museum!! Your kids will love that. Walking around Dorsoduro where Guggenheim is is fun b/c it's lots of locals.
Who doesn't have fun chasing the pigeons in San Marco square? That also makes for great photo ops, obvs especially for your kids.
The old Jewish Ghetto is very interesting and moving.
Oh and a trip to the island of Murano to see how Murano glass is made! Your kids will love that and so will you.
Dec 23rd, 2010, 08:21 AM
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Venice for adults – art and architecture is the go. The OP’s kids are aged 16, 12 and 9, so art and architecture might not work so well.
Take a traghetto across the Grand Canal
Take a look at the Nativity scenes in the church of the Maddalena
Buy slices of pizza for lunch.
The Naval museum might be fun for an hour, and it is cheap to enter – about one euro.
I agree that the Ralto market without fish is less exciting, but it’s still worthwhile to see how it actually happens, early in the morning. Boats unloading, the garbage boats loading. And looking at the butchers shops may give the kids a new perspective on where meat and poultry comes from.
Visit a supermarket to allow a different experience to Costco. Tiny supermarkets, bag your own stuff, present the correct change.
I think a ferry pass makes sense – get 24 hour passes, and really use them. Again, the ferries are fun for kids, and going over to San Giorgio and taking the lift up the campanile is fun. A family of five will fill the lift, and there’s more to see than from the San Marco campanile, and likely a shorter queue.
It’ll likely be cold, and coffees as refuge from the cold are good.
San Marco when it’s flooded is quite a sight.
The Frari is worth visiting, as there are lots of different monuments in there, including one really ugly one.
If you are lucky, and the kids are enthusiastic, in six months time, they’ll be saying “Remember when we were in Venice and we saw ….”
And if they are saying that, then you’ve had a great time there. The art can come later.
Yes, take a gondola ride, but I have heard the singers, and wished I'd hearing protection with me. And if you have the musician, you'll have a fleet of gondolas with you.
Maybe I just don't like piano accordians ...
Take a traghetto across the Grand Canal
Take a look at the Nativity scenes in the church of the Maddalena
Buy slices of pizza for lunch.
The Naval museum might be fun for an hour, and it is cheap to enter – about one euro.
I agree that the Ralto market without fish is less exciting, but it’s still worthwhile to see how it actually happens, early in the morning. Boats unloading, the garbage boats loading. And looking at the butchers shops may give the kids a new perspective on where meat and poultry comes from.
Visit a supermarket to allow a different experience to Costco. Tiny supermarkets, bag your own stuff, present the correct change.
I think a ferry pass makes sense – get 24 hour passes, and really use them. Again, the ferries are fun for kids, and going over to San Giorgio and taking the lift up the campanile is fun. A family of five will fill the lift, and there’s more to see than from the San Marco campanile, and likely a shorter queue.
It’ll likely be cold, and coffees as refuge from the cold are good.
San Marco when it’s flooded is quite a sight.
The Frari is worth visiting, as there are lots of different monuments in there, including one really ugly one.
If you are lucky, and the kids are enthusiastic, in six months time, they’ll be saying “Remember when we were in Venice and we saw ….”
And if they are saying that, then you’ve had a great time there. The art can come later.
Yes, take a gondola ride, but I have heard the singers, and wished I'd hearing protection with me. And if you have the musician, you'll have a fleet of gondolas with you.
Maybe I just don't like piano accordians ...
Dec 23rd, 2010, 08:23 AM
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What is all of this? --
Church of San Zaccharia
Frari church
Scuola Dalmata
Santa Elana
Sounds like too many churches if you ask me. There are so many beautiful little churches around the city, you don't need to have them listed on a To Do list, just go into the ones that intrigue you as you walk around. San Marco Basilica is the only must see, in my opinion.
Accademia is nice, very classical, but I like Guggenheim better, more unique.
Church of San Zaccharia
Frari church
Scuola Dalmata
Santa Elana
Sounds like too many churches if you ask me. There are so many beautiful little churches around the city, you don't need to have them listed on a To Do list, just go into the ones that intrigue you as you walk around. San Marco Basilica is the only must see, in my opinion.
Accademia is nice, very classical, but I like Guggenheim better, more unique.
Dec 23rd, 2010, 09:04 AM
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Dec 23rd, 2010, 02:07 PM
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Church of San Zaccharia
Frari church
Scuola Dalmata
Santa Elana
I can't speak for three of these churches as I haven't been, but for me, the Frari is if nothing else worth a visit to see the Titian "Assumption" altarpiece.
Frari church
Scuola Dalmata
Santa Elana
I can't speak for three of these churches as I haven't been, but for me, the Frari is if nothing else worth a visit to see the Titian "Assumption" altarpiece.
Dec 23rd, 2010, 02:42 PM
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I would suggest following some of the itineraries in Hugo Pratt's "The Secret Venice of Corto Maltese." Your kids may know Corto Maltese - a fictional comic book character created by Pratt. The book lets you discover many sights that are little known - it is a kind of treasure hunt that your kids might enjoy. If you can't find the book online,(English versiion) it is available in many book shops in Venice.
We have spent two weeks in Venice each year for the past several years and still have not had enough of that magical city. All above suggestions are worthwhile, but I would still recommend the book. You would see many of the mentioned sights while seeking hidden treasures. Enjoy your trip!
We have spent two weeks in Venice each year for the past several years and still have not had enough of that magical city. All above suggestions are worthwhile, but I would still recommend the book. You would see many of the mentioned sights while seeking hidden treasures. Enjoy your trip!
Dec 23rd, 2010, 06:21 PM
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Look, there are many guidebooks that offer well-organized itineraries for short durations. You can cherry pick out of them what you want to see. What you are getting in this thread is a shout-out of weird "What-I-Did-In-Venice" answers that could really end up wasting your time there.
I don't know why you believe Rome is the place to stuff your kids with "art and history" and Venice -- overflowing with art and history -- ought to be the anti-thesis of that, but why don't you get a guidebook and let your kids pick what they want to see and do?
I doubt they will lunge for the Peggy Guggenheim museum. (If you want to see a great scuola, make it San Rocco or dei Carmine).
I don't know why you believe Rome is the place to stuff your kids with "art and history" and Venice -- overflowing with art and history -- ought to be the anti-thesis of that, but why don't you get a guidebook and let your kids pick what they want to see and do?
I doubt they will lunge for the Peggy Guggenheim museum. (If you want to see a great scuola, make it San Rocco or dei Carmine).
