One day in Venice

Old Oct 11th, 2012, 05:53 AM
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One day in Venice

We will be arriving mid-day and having the next day to explore. Can anyone offer a quick suggestion on how best to spend one day? Museums are not our thing and while we love the history and look of the old churches, it would not be where would spend a large amount of time.

I think we'd love to see the main square and possibly venture to Murano. As it is our last 2 nights in Italy w'd love to have a special dinner if anyone could recommend a fantastic restaurant with authentic local flavor. Thanks so much!
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Old Oct 11th, 2012, 05:56 AM
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...unfortunately this will be on a Saturday so I am sure crowds will play into our timeframe
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Old Oct 11th, 2012, 07:52 AM
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It's difficult to give recommendations since you only advise what you don't want to do. Of course you'll see St. Mark's square - it's lovely but won't take much time to look at the outside. Why do you want to visit Murano? Bead shopping?

Suggestions:

- gondola ride on a small canal
- burano with its colorful houses
- walk away from St. Mark's square and look at the beautiful buildings
- vaporetto ride after dinner to see the palazzi lit up
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Old Oct 11th, 2012, 08:11 AM
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Do not waste your 1 day going to Murano! There is so much to see in Venice itself, even without going in lots of museums or churches. It takes about 45 minutes or so to get to Murano, and it is not what I would call charming. I think Burano is charming, but it is farther and takes longer (I only took time away from Venice to go to Murano and Burano on my third trip to Venice, not my first). If you want to buy glass you can find glass from the Murano factories in Venice.

The great charm of Venice is wondering around, through the back alleys and squares. If you do want to visit any churches, I would recommend Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari; it is a beautiful church (on the inside), and you shouldn't have to wait to get in. Do you want to go in Basilica San Marco or the Doge's Palace(on and next to Piazza San Marco)? If so, you should make reservations.

If you want an aerial view of Venice, I would suggest ascending the elevator to the top of the Campanile of San Giorgio Maggiore. It is less crowded than the Campanile of San Marco, and, I think, has a better view. You can take a vaporetto over and back .

I like the areas around and getting to Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo, The Frari, and Campo Santo Stefano. There is a great Pasticceria/gelateria on Campos Santi G & P called Rosa Salva and a great gelateria on Camp Santo Stefano called Paolin. If you walk around the area of Campo San Barnaba and the Squero San Trovaso, there is Lo Squero Gelateria.

I would save Piazza San Marco (the Main Square as you put it) for later in the day when the day trippers are mostly gone. It is great to sit there at one of the caffes after dinner listening to the orchestras. I like Caffe Lavena; you can hear their orchestra and that of Quadri.

If you want to take a gondola ride, I would save that for evening too (dusk), to save your daytime and since the light is so nice. Last time, we took one from a gondola station next to the restaurant where we had our dinner reservations, took drinks from the restaurant and returned for dinner. That night dinner was at Ristorante da Raffaele. It is near Santa Maria del Giglio, and you can sit outside along the rio. It was very good, and I would recommend it. Make a reservation ahead of time and request a table outside (assuming you will be there in temperate weather).

Our favorite meal was at Ristorante da Ivo, a very small, cozy restaurant accessible on foot or by water taxi. The food was amazing, but it is very expensive.
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Old Oct 11th, 2012, 08:29 AM
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I would visit St. Marks Square and the Santa Maria del Glorioso church - inside is specrtacular. I would take a daytime vaporetto ride the length of the Grand Canal and an evening gondola ride. If you like markets, I would visit the Rialto Bridge and the Rialto Market first thing in the morning. Otherwise, if you are not interested in museums, I would just wander around Venice being sure to visit Dorsoduro and the Frari Church.

I wouldn't take the time to visit Murano and Burano with the short time you have.

We loved Alle Testiere for a wonderful meal. It is small and delicious so you must make reservations well in advance for one of its two seatings. If you want something more "showy" you might try Harry's Bar. If you are going in the spring, summer or fall, you might end the day at St. Mark's Square listening to the orchestras and having a drink.
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Old Oct 11th, 2012, 08:44 AM
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IMHO Murano is a waste of time unless you are really fascinated by glass and intend to buy some. We prefer Torcello of all the island - an ancient church with Byzantine tilework - this is where the residents of Venice went to hide when the barbarians poured over the Alps. You might consider doing this the day you get there if early enouhg.

IMHO you must see the Doge's Palace, explore a bunch of churches (just stick your head in the door to see what interests you - no need to say more than 5 minutes) an explore several neighborhoods, following the small calles until you are totally lost - to see how the real Venetians live.

If we had to do one dinner - go to Harry's. If the budget doesn;t fit yours at elast go for a drink and the view. We also like the restaurant on the roof of the Danieli.
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Old Oct 11th, 2012, 08:54 AM
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I mainly agree with Nytraveler, but...

I like the Terrazza Danieli too. The view is gorgeous, especially at night. However, I think the food and experience at Da Ivo were both better, and also slightly less expensive than the Danieli.

Go to Harry's for the bellinis, and have dinner somewhere else; then you get double the experience.
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Old Oct 11th, 2012, 09:12 AM
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Fantastic replies. Thank you so much for the input, especially about the length of time and non-necessity of seeing Murano on such a short visit.

I do think the wandering is our taste, so I will try to work out a path that includes everything mentioned staying in Venice. The views, local flavor, admiring the buildings and 'little gems' are what we hope to experience.
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Old Oct 11th, 2012, 09:49 AM
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I don't know why anyone would want to go to Murano unless they wanted to bring home glass, and that can be bought a shops every 5 feet in Venice.

My favourite area in Venice is the area between the Jewish ghetto and Madonna dell' Orto. This is a very quiet neighbourhood far from the madding crowds. This is the Cannareggio neighbourhood.

You can see the Campo dei Mori with its beautiful statues and Tintoretto's house here, and also the painting The Last Judgement by Tintoretto in the church of Madonna dell' Orto.

Another quiet area is the area around the Via Garibaldi and the Biennale Gardens. A very nice place for an Aperol Spritz is the Paradiso opposite the Biennale vaporetto stop.

I would only venture to Piazza San Marco in the early morning or after 8 PM in the evening. I am not joking when I tell you that Piazza San Marco is busier than 5th Ave (NYC) on the Saturday before Christmas.

The most beautiful Campo in Venice is Campo San Giacomo dell' Orio in San Polo.

Good luck.

Thin
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Old Oct 11th, 2012, 10:23 AM
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When are you coming? It's already too cold to eat dinner outside, for us anyway (and we used to live in Scotland!).
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Old Oct 12th, 2012, 02:31 PM
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Thank you, thank you ... THANK YOU for the recommendation of Da Ivo! Fantastic dinner tonight, we left very full an very happy.
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