Marvin

We have several options during a stop in Venice. Any suggestions from "been there done that"? <BR>

Andy

Definitely make sure you see the home of Peggy Guggneheim-it is now a museum and fabulous--she lived among the finest contemporary art in the world. Also go see the Doges Palace tour,see st.Marks sq. and take a gondola ride a nite w/ a singing gondolier. The market near the Rialto Bridge is wonderful and make sure you do NOT buy a MURANO GLASS CHANDELIER from VENICE or anywhere else in Italy--they are NOT wired for US use and to re-wire them ends up costing the same as if you bought it in the staes. Venice is wonderful,romantic and incredible...to sit in st.marks sq.at nite w/a cup of exspresso listening to the outdoor orchestra is timeless--costly but definitely worth doing for the experience.

kathryn

In Venice, I don't recommend a tour. Visit St. Mark's square and the Doges Palace. If you are ambitious and walk at at good clip you will have time to walk to the Rialto and back. Beware of the fact that you wil stop often to window shop and take pictures: opportunities abound! The gondola ride is overated and overpriced. <BR> <BR>Stop at a café for people watching and some wine. Cheap and good value... <BR> <BR>We DID buy a Murano Glass chandelier: it was custom-made and therefore wired for North American current. Received it 5 weeks after our return from Italy. It was a great buy!!!

Debi

We went to Venice last year on a cruise. We took the St Mark's tour - which we thought was great. The tour guide was a History professor with a minor in Art - couldn't have been better. Otherwise, we did everything else on our own. It was great. Our ship was there 2 days and we got to see alot of Venice.

JoeG

I agree with Kathryn regarding not taking a ships tour. Venice is quite compact and easy to get around. Take a vaporetto (#4 I think) that does a circle with only 4-5 stops. It is fun to take it all around back to the originating point. A great way to get oriented to Venice and you will have fantastic photo ops. The vaporettos are easy and inexpensive. Some routes might be a bit crowded but people get on and off all the time. If you are going to be there overnight inquire about a 2 day pass. There were no problems with the language and the lady at the ticket booth spoke English and was very helpful. We also took a vaporetto to the island of Murano. Didn't go to any glass factories, but did walk around. We loved it. What a pretty town. Beautiful colored houses and small quaint canals. Don't forget to sample a gelatto...or 3 or 4.