kenav, I envy you; 1 week; how great! Here's the route we take; of course we wander off this route, veering here & there, & then back on course again. We make this a many hour adventure. It really helps if you have a good map showing all of the streets so you don't miss any of them.

With S.Marco at your back, turn left onto the main drag going along the G.Canal, stopping to look at the tourist sites, of course. Turn onto Via Giuseppe Garibaldi (only goes left & is not far after passing the Naval Museum); a very wide street. About half way down on the right is a steel fence & gate (always open when we've been there). This is a nice little park area with a fountain we love, which is partly covered with moss. Have a seat on one of the benches & watch the local activity - women pushing baby carriages, older folks going to & from shopping, etc. If you want, you might take some peanuts for the birds, but not the pigeons (may still be illegal to feed them). After enjoying for a while, continue away from the gate - this is the long street lined with trees (we are always there in the fall/November & it is so beautiful). This street is listed on my map as Garibaldi & ends at the G.Canal - great photo op. Both sides of this street contain multi-storied residences. We discreetly wandered into the residential areas & peeked around. At the end of the residences on the left may be a senior citizens majority complex, because we have seen many such (of which we are) walking about. One time an elderly lady & we had quite a conversation - even though she did not speak English & we do not speak Italian. But she was very pleasant & welcoming, as were we, & we all enjoyed our meeting. Then on the left is the Biennial grounds (may have the name wrong). If it is not blocked, walk around there. Past that on the left (before & on the water) is a favorite place of ours - there is an overgrown area & if you look closely you can see an ancient statue hidden in the overbrush - like a historical hunt!

Upon reaching the water, turn left & walk along the G.Canal. Before & at the curve, look left & up & notice the building in the trees (?luxury residence, or...?, but stunning). Continuing you will come to a bridge - look over the left side & you will see where small Venetian boats load & unload - sometimes garbage/trash, sometimes supplies. Over the bridge & you are at a great tree filled park with benches. You can sit G.Canal side (to your right) & enjoy the water activities, or sit interior & watch the locals walking to & from.

I'll continue this in another post so I don't lose all of my data.

Julie

Cont'd - Following along the water, you will come to a point, enjoy that, & then turn left continuing to follow the water. You will come to a wide street, Viale Quattro Novembre. Turn left onto it, another tree lined street, & enjoy the park on the left & the beautiful residences on the right, especially the 1st one on the point. From here, you really need a map to ensure you don't miss anything. Take the correct path & you will see the entrance to the Naval base, a very nice residential street along the Rio di S. Elena, a marina packed full of sailing & other boats. We walk the entire district, every inch that we can & always find new & enjoyable sights. Hope you enjoy this area as much as we do & have a wonderful time in Venice.

Julie