13 days in Venice
 

I'm going on my first trip to Venice, late March to early April with a group (18 to 20) of middle-aged people.We will be having 3 day trips and three afternoons free.
Our hotel will be on the Lido,Panorama. Has anyone stayed there and can anyone recommend reasonable eating places on the Lido please?
Also, what sort of wardrobe should I pack. I'm told it's spring but still chilly.
Any other advice would be welcome.

While I prefer staying in Venice proper, I've also stayed on the Lido and enjoyed it very much. It has been awhile, but I ate a few times at the restaurant in the Hotel Belvedere, near the waterbus stop, and it was quite good.

In late March, it may be more than chilly, especially at night and if it is rainy/windy. I hate being cold, so I would take a jacket with a warm lining, or a really warm sweater to go under a rain coat, and a pair of soft, warm gloves that don't take up much space.

No matter the weather though, Venice is beautiful.

Thanks so much for such a prompt reply.
Yes, I'd prefer staying in Venice itself too, but the tour is a package job and the Lido was their choice.
Ok, lots of layers by the sound of it.
Thanks!

Moonrise - We usually go to Venice in mid March and have found the weather to be relatively good. the big thing id layers. Our usual approach is t shirt then a long sleeve followed by a fleece jacket then a rain proof shell.

Some days you may need the whole thing early or late but by lunch just the t shirt. by late March or early April temps should be better. But be sure to take the rain shell.

Typically during that time frame you can expect temps in the low 60 F to mid to high 40 F at night.

On your 3 free afternoons, I would simply take the boat over and wander around the central part of Venice.

Not sure what the 3 daytrips mean - can you make up your own? If so, try to get to Ravenna. Much quicker by car if you can rent one for the day, (could even be a half-day trip by road) but also possible by train, just slower, via Ferrara usually.

The byzantine mosaics will astound you, so fresh after more than a thousand years, and a welcome style change from all the other styles you see in Venice. Look it up.

Another excursion, only a half-hour by train from Venice-Santa Lucia station, is Padua - book ahead for the Giotto frescoes in the chapel, or just wander around the old town, very nice.

Another vote for Ravenna. And then visit Murano to learn more about smalti.

gruezi

Thanks for these replies.

notbob, excellent help re clothing. I have a long raincoat and was wondering about taking it but now I will!
Suze, central Venice sounds spot on.

The 3 day trips are already planned by the package...Ravenna, Padua and Palladio to see thew villas.

Of the 13 days, all breakfasts are provided but only 7 lunches or dinners so I'll have to find places on the Lido for dinners at night...any suggestions?

No need to restrict your dinners to the Lido, it's boring over there - hop on a vaporetto and any restaurant in Venice can be yours.

Take note as you stroll during the day if a restaurant looks tempting, and go make your own discoveries that way.

You will need to have with you a really good map and a little compass - on cloudy days and after dark it helps to know where north is, Venice is a marvelous rabbit warren, getting a little lost is normal and part of the fun, but you want to be in charge...

Ditto. Just because your hotel is on the Lido doesn't mean you need to restrict your eating options there. Head to Venice proper.

Thanks so much. looks like a compass is on my list 'to buy'.
thanks everyone for your help! :)