what to do with 5 days in Venice
Nov 17th, 2004, 07:26 PM
#2
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We stayed three nights in October and I'm already planning for 5 nights next fall; there's so much to see. I imagine you love art or you wouldn't go to Venice! Until Jan 17th (check that date) there's an exhibit "Turner in Venice" in the Correr Museum - it's wonderful. My husband was overcome by the art in the Scuola Grande San Rocco and the Friari did the same to me. I hate that I didn't make it to San Sabastiano to see the masterful work of Veronese, painted when he was just 25. Palazzo Ducale will help you understand the power of the Venitian State - it is awesome and you can cross through the Bridge of Sighs.Take the vaporetto to Ca'dOro, walk through the alley to Strada Nuova and you'll find a couple of ombra bars - good wines by the glass and little snacks (Venetian tapas). Your hotel will have tickets for various chamber music concerts held in several different venues nightly.I'd reccomend the 9pm concerts at San Vidal. We attended two: of course, Vivaldi's Four Seasons and the next night other baroque music. Easy to get to-the vaporetto to Accademia, cross the bride and it's right there. Tickets E22. This is not one of the costume venues - serious, young Italian musicians with passion! I think you have the right idea going in the off season. The tourist volume was incredible even in October. I don't know what the weather will be like but I'm sure the town will be calmer.
Nov 17th, 2004, 09:09 PM
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5 days is a good amount of time. I spent 6 nights there on my first visit and didn't even fit in a day trip. I loved it so much that I went back the following year and could only tear myself away for long enough to go to Padua.
Some of my favorite memories are of wandering around and popping into smaller churches. To experience San Marco and the Rialto bridge without the hordes of tourists, go at night or very early in the morning. Luckily, January probably won't be that bad (I've only been in March and it wasn't very crowded either time).
-take the vaporetto down the Grand Canal
-San Marco - basilica, doge's palace, Museo Correr (that exhibit sounds wonderful! However, it might be too much to do the palace and the museum in one day.) Also S. Zaccaria is behind San Marco and has a number of good paintings, including a Bellini Madonna.
-St. Michele cemetary, smaller islands (I think it's on the same vaporetto line as Murano and maybe some of the other islands so you can do a combination trip)
-Accademia, Guggenheim, wandering around Dorsoduro, Santa Maria della Salute, also S. Stefano is right across the bridge from the Accademia
-Frari, San Rocco
-S. Sebastiano (I can't think of what other good sites are nearby but the Veronese paintings are amazing so it's well worth the trip).
-in Cannaregio: Chiesa dei Gesuiti (baroque insanity), Madonna dell'Orto (gorgeous Tintorettos), Jewish ghetto
-Scuola di San Guirgi degli Schiavoni (Carpaccio's St. George series)
-San Giorgio Maggiore (designed by Palladio with 2 major Tintorettos, on an island across the lagoon from San Marco).
-day trip to Padua, Verona or Vicenza)
Some of my favorite memories are of wandering around and popping into smaller churches. To experience San Marco and the Rialto bridge without the hordes of tourists, go at night or very early in the morning. Luckily, January probably won't be that bad (I've only been in March and it wasn't very crowded either time).
-take the vaporetto down the Grand Canal
-San Marco - basilica, doge's palace, Museo Correr (that exhibit sounds wonderful! However, it might be too much to do the palace and the museum in one day.) Also S. Zaccaria is behind San Marco and has a number of good paintings, including a Bellini Madonna.
-St. Michele cemetary, smaller islands (I think it's on the same vaporetto line as Murano and maybe some of the other islands so you can do a combination trip)
-Accademia, Guggenheim, wandering around Dorsoduro, Santa Maria della Salute, also S. Stefano is right across the bridge from the Accademia
-Frari, San Rocco
-S. Sebastiano (I can't think of what other good sites are nearby but the Veronese paintings are amazing so it's well worth the trip).
-in Cannaregio: Chiesa dei Gesuiti (baroque insanity), Madonna dell'Orto (gorgeous Tintorettos), Jewish ghetto
-Scuola di San Guirgi degli Schiavoni (Carpaccio's St. George series)
-San Giorgio Maggiore (designed by Palladio with 2 major Tintorettos, on an island across the lagoon from San Marco).
-day trip to Padua, Verona or Vicenza)
Nov 17th, 2004, 09:29 PM
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All of the above are great ideas, but let me suggest something else to work in. It is a project sponsored by a group called "Chorus" that is dedicated to restoring the art and architecture in the churches of Venice. You can get more info at the website, www.chorusvenezia.org
For 8 Euros per person, you get a pass into 13 different churches scattered throughout Venice. The 13 churches include the Frari and Madona Del Orto. You not only get interesting to see the different churches and the art in each, but it causes you to walk the entire island. You can also feel good about this because the money from you tickets goes toward restoration of the churches and their artwork. My wife and I did this back in the fall of 2001 when we were in Venice for 5 days and really enjoyed it.
For 8 Euros per person, you get a pass into 13 different churches scattered throughout Venice. The 13 churches include the Frari and Madona Del Orto. You not only get interesting to see the different churches and the art in each, but it causes you to walk the entire island. You can also feel good about this because the money from you tickets goes toward restoration of the churches and their artwork. My wife and I did this back in the fall of 2001 when we were in Venice for 5 days and really enjoyed it.
Nov 18th, 2004, 05:06 AM
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Given the amount of time you have, I would suggest adding the church of SS. Giovanni e Paolo. It is ENORMOUS and has the most amazing history. The walk to get there will take you off the beaten track; our meanderings the morning we visited are some of our fondest memories of Venice.
Nov 18th, 2004, 05:09 AM
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Yes, JLHood, the chorus pass is great and it's good for one year so it's a good excuse to go back if you don't get to see all of the churches
One warning, I signed up for an e-mail newsletter from the chorus and I get one every couple of weeks, but it's in Italian! I've tried and tried but can't seem to stop them from coming.
One warning, I signed up for an e-mail newsletter from the chorus and I get one every couple of weeks, but it's in Italian! I've tried and tried but can't seem to stop them from coming.
Nov 18th, 2004, 06:22 AM
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Dee - Go for a 'Bellini-with-a-view' at Hotel Monaco - near Piazza S. Marco vaporetto stop, overlooking the Grand Canal.
- Pop into the Hotel Danieli late afternoon/early evening.
We wandered in for a drink in the bar lounge... and quite by chance had our own private concert from the 'resident' musician - a superb classical guitarist.
We enjoyed it so much we went back for an encore next day ...
- If you're into classical music look out for evening concerts in the churches too.
Steve
- Pop into the Hotel Danieli late afternoon/early evening.
We wandered in for a drink in the bar lounge... and quite by chance had our own private concert from the 'resident' musician - a superb classical guitarist.
We enjoyed it so much we went back for an encore next day ...
- If you're into classical music look out for evening concerts in the churches too.
Steve
Nov 18th, 2004, 09:44 AM
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Thank you all sooo much! I am very happy to have asked for your guidence! We LOVE classical music! So I will check into that. We are staying at Hotel American. We will be there for my big 50H ! i Can not wait thanks again. If you think of anything else places to eat whatever.. Id love to hear from you
Nov 20th, 2004, 06:27 AM
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Dee - This group have had good reviews here:
http://www.interpretiveneziani.com/i...meset_home.htm
Try also:
http://www.imusiciveneziani.com/vene...dexvenezia.htm
Hope this helps ...
Steve
http://www.interpretiveneziani.com/i...meset_home.htm
Try also:
http://www.imusiciveneziani.com/vene...dexvenezia.htm
Hope this helps ...
Steve
Nov 20th, 2004, 11:06 PM
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Be sure to buy a 72-hour (3-day) vaporetto pass for 22 euros per person. That gives you unlimited on and off privileges on the vaporettos for 3 days, including going to the little islands of Burano, Murano, and 2 others... The vaporetto pass was my favorite thing about Venice. It allowed us to wander about and explore wherever we wanted, getting lost...with a vaporetto pass, when you're lost, you just head for the grand canal, which is never far, hop on a vaporetto and get off at another more familiar stop! I thought it was a great adventure!
The closest little island is the one you can see right across the water...San Giorggio Maggiori (spelling?)...go inside the church on the little island and find the elevator to the tower. For a few euros the friendly elevator man will take you up to the tower for a grand view. No lines!
The closest little island is the one you can see right across the water...San Giorggio Maggiori (spelling?)...go inside the church on the little island and find the elevator to the tower. For a few euros the friendly elevator man will take you up to the tower for a grand view. No lines!
Nov 21st, 2004, 01:51 AM
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Dee you will have a fabulous time and a wonderful birthday to remember. You asked about places to eat. There are many previous threads here with dining recommendations. One place I recently heard about but haven't had a chance to try is TRATTORIA ANTICHE CARAMPANE. Here is their website http://www.antichecarampane.com/
My best meal in Venice was at Antico Martini, a well known upscale restaurant near La Fenice, the opera house. (You should see if La Fenice is open while you're there. It was closed for years because of a fire and was recently reopened after renovation) On that subject, I should warn you you may find a number of places closed during your stay. Some restaurants use the time between New Year's and Carnivale (February) for vacation so call in advance for reservations to restaurants or have your hotel do it. Antico Martini also has a piano bar attached called Scala Martini, a nice place to pop in for a drink.
La Rivista rest. in the Ca Pisani Hotel (near the Accademia) is very good and a very modern looking hotel, unusual in Venice. Another very modern looking restaurant that I hear is excellent is Avogaria in Dorsoduro.
People have suggested Al Cugnai. It is evidently halfway between Hotel American and the Accademia Bridge.
Have a great trip.
My best meal in Venice was at Antico Martini, a well known upscale restaurant near La Fenice, the opera house. (You should see if La Fenice is open while you're there. It was closed for years because of a fire and was recently reopened after renovation) On that subject, I should warn you you may find a number of places closed during your stay. Some restaurants use the time between New Year's and Carnivale (February) for vacation so call in advance for reservations to restaurants or have your hotel do it. Antico Martini also has a piano bar attached called Scala Martini, a nice place to pop in for a drink.
La Rivista rest. in the Ca Pisani Hotel (near the Accademia) is very good and a very modern looking hotel, unusual in Venice. Another very modern looking restaurant that I hear is excellent is Avogaria in Dorsoduro.
People have suggested Al Cugnai. It is evidently halfway between Hotel American and the Accademia Bridge.
Have a great trip.
Nov 21st, 2004, 07:23 PM
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Thank you Steve. I will check out those web sites as soon as I finish here!Melissajoy, the information that you shared is priceless.I would have never thought of getting a pass.Thank you as well mclaurie. Those are great suggestions. When I was researching hotels to stay at i found out that many of them are closed during the time that we will be there. It sounds like some of the resterauts that you suggest are near where we will be staying so that is excellent. Ciao to all!
Nov 22nd, 2004, 05:05 AM
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HI
Another excellent on-line resource is
www.aguestinvenice.com
For a gorgeous gold interior, add
San Giorgio dei Greci church to your list.
I have a long file on Venice; if you'd like to see it,email me at
[email protected]
Another excellent on-line resource is
www.aguestinvenice.com
For a gorgeous gold interior, add
San Giorgio dei Greci church to your list.
I have a long file on Venice; if you'd like to see it,email me at
[email protected]
Nov 22nd, 2004, 07:31 AM
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Like all the others, I recommend you wander, and wander, and wander, at least a couple of hours every day in a different direction. The recommendations you have received for specific art galleries, cathedrals, and other sights are all great, but take some time just to get out and go where you might not normally go. Venice has about 70 cathedrals, and I haven't seen them all; but on every visit I rack up a few more on my list and visit my favorites again. Good luck.
