3 days in Venice
 

I will be in Venice for three days. Here are some of the sights I want to see. Any other suggestions or are there any listed sights not worth seeing?
St. Marks Basilica
Museo Correr
Grand Canal Ride
Ca" D' Oro
Rialto Bridge
Santa Maria Glorisa dei Frari
Scuola de San Rocco
Santa Maria della Salute
Palazzo Ducale
Santi Giovanni e Paola
Santa Maria dei Miracoli
Scuola de San Giorgio degli Schiavoni
San Zaccaria
Gondola Ride
Vivaldi Concert

Too Much??? Not enough??? Add ons??? Omit???
Help!!!!!!

Definitely visit a couple of the other islands. Torcello is our favorite and Burano can be interesting. Murano is fine if you want to watch glass blowing and buy some quite expensive tschotkes.

I would bag some of the churches unless you are very into ecclesiastical architecture - they tend to run together after a while.

Also, be sure to allow yourself some time just to walk around and get lost (you will) and see some very interesting areas.

I wouldn't "bag" any of the churches. Just remember to bring a flashlight and a pocket full of change because some are dim inside. I think the Scuola dei Carmini is much more impressive than Scuola de San Giorgio degli Schiavoni, and is not far from San Rocco or dei Frari.

Your Grand Canal ride is likely to happen just in the course of getting around on the vaporetti, and I wouldn't make a special trip of seeing the Rialto Bridge. You'll see it coming or going. You will also see Santa Maria della Salute without really trying. Read up on the interior to see if it something you very much want to see or feel content not making the special trek to go through the doors.

I think the Accademia is one of the most extraordinary museums in Italy, perhaps all of Europe, containing many works pulled from churches to preserve them. The museum is organized so that if you follow the room numerically, you will see the greatest treasures first -- meaning, that if you start to flag midway, heading directly for the exit without lingering won't leave you frustrated. The museum is not as huge as other great museums.

The journey to Torcello is lengthy but I think very rewarding. I've never been to Murano, but Burano has little of interest to me.

It's probably all too much but you should go for it. If you get a good map, mark the sites, group them as destinations so you're not backtracking, and get up early (churches are often open very early), you might get very close to finishing your list. Be sure you are carrying an up-to-date list of when churches and museums are open and shut. If you haven't acquired one by the time you get to Venice, stopping by the tourist office might be a good idea.

Have a great time! I think you'll be staggered by all you see.

PS: If you feel like you are absolutely going crazy from crowds, just head off toward the Arsenale (unless you are there during the Biennale). That might be a good time to visit the Scuola de San Giorgio degli Schiavoni, and then just head off behind it. It's usually pretty quiet back there.

For me, that would be too long a list for three days, but it really depends on how you like to see things. A quick walk through a church, or a careful study of the interior and treasures...?

If you add a trip to an island, I think something on this list would have to go, so you might start by prioritizing your list. If you go to Murano, get as early a start as you can. Most of the glassmaking demonstrations end by lunch time.

To your list I would definitely add the Galleria dell' Accademia and, if possible, the nearby Peggy Guggenheim Collection.

http://www.gallerieaccademia.org/sito/ing_museo.html
http://www.guggenheim-venice.it/inglese/default.html

FWIW, Ca' D'Oro was only moderately interesting to us and only because it was an acqua alta day and we were able to see how the canal-side palazzo coped with the water coming and going. The upper-level terrace had beautiful views of the canal, but the artifacts and art on display were not exceptional. If you go, I'd limit your time to the terrace and the lowest level.

I agree that you should visit other islands, Murano, Burano and Torcello are doable in a day by vaporetti, if you leave early, you can see Murano in the morning (watch a glass blowing demonstration if interested), and visit Burano and Torcello in the afternoon. Of these islands, Murano IMO is the least interesting, with lots of glass shops/studios. I enjoyed wandering around Burano.

St. Marks Basilica- Yes
Museo Correr - Maybe
Grand Canal Ride - Yes, and you'll do it by chance
Ca" D' Oro -maybe
Rialto Bridge - can't avoid it.
Do visit the Rialto market early - say 6:00 AM when the fish is being unloaded.
Santa Maria Glorisa dei Frari - do not miss.
Scuola de San Rocco - yes
Santa Maria della Salute - maybe
Palazzo Ducale- yes
Santi Giovanni e Paola -maybe
Santa Maria dei Miracoli
Scuola de San Giorgio degli Schiavoni - don't miss. It's a hoot
San Zaccaria - maybe
Gondola Ride - will cost 80 Euro, take a traghetto
Vivaldi Concert - yes.

I did a trip report for Venice - it's here:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...st-verbose.cfm

Peter,
Sorry to see you copied and pasted jojuice's list without correcting any of the mistakes. :-)
I think I would agree with you on what to see and what you would give a miss. You didn't give an opinion on Santa Maria dei Miracoli - I would say take a good long look, but even that would not take more than about 15 minutes.

Oh Bert, my ever faithful proof reader. Cheers

Peter

Thank you for the help. We really only have 2 1/2 days. We will get to Venice from Florence at about 11:30PM. Do we still have time for all or one of the islands?

Well, I think you have to prioritize with 2 1/2 days, and decide what YOU like vs. what you should see.

Actually, I'd skip some of your churches, etc. and just spend some time wandering around the back streets of Venice. You can't get lost and you get a better feel for the city. I think wandering around (avoiding Piazza San Marco and the Rialto) is the #1 thing to do in Venice. As opposed to rushing from one item on your list to the next.

I did enjoy visiting the Peggy Guggenheim museum. It's small, with some choice pieces of modern art and a front porch on the Grand Canal.

And, if I did any of the islands I'd do Burano. It's like a mini-Venice or an outlying village in the Venice style, with smaller, simpler buildings in bright colors. Very charming, very photogenic -- as is Venice.

My wife and I are in a similar boat (no pun intended) arriving for 2 1/2 days in one week and coming up with too many options. Our list is predictatbly similar to yours. We have added a couple of churches including Campo Dei Gesuiti, some palaces to walk past such as Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, and getting over to Campo Santa Margherita and possibly San Giorgio Maggiore.

We are thinking we'll probably pass on the gondola ride, will have fun just watching other people.

But I did do exactly what zeppole suggested - made an 11x17 copy of the central part of Rough Guide Venice map and have highlighted all the places that our on the list. This map is now extremely valuable. It will allow us to head off in a direction and at least have some destinations and a rough route in mind. We'll see where we wind up.

Good luck and have a great trip!

I was able to visit the following Venetian attractions with ease in two full days with a little planning ahead: St. Mark's Basilica, Museo Correr, Campanile di San Marco, Ca' D'Oro, Rialto Bridge, Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, Scuola Grande di San Rocco, Palazzo Ducale, L'Accademia, Peggy Guggenheim Museum, and Ca' Rezzonico.

Of these, the only one I wasn't much taken with was Ca' D'Oro. If I had to jettison anything from this list for time constraints, it would be Ca' D'Oro and Museo Correr.

In addition, would strongly suggest spending some time simply wandering around Venice -- and getting lost is both inevitable and part of the fun.

Mimar wrote:
... and just spend some time wandering around the back streets of Venice. You can't get lost and you get a better feel for the city.
What!!! You can't get lost only in the sense that you are in Venice, and, with a bit of luck, you might know which side of the Grand Canal you are on :-). It's a cliché to say you should get lost in Venice, it's half the fun. No it isn't! If you are pushed for time, the last thing you want to do is to wander round in circles, not knowing where you've been or where you are headed. If this will be your first trip to Venice, and you are not likely to be able to get back soon, then don't miss the most popular touristy things just because they are popular and touristy. Avoid the things that take time (especially queuing). I would miss the Campanile, because all it gives you is a bird's eye-view of St Mark's Square and the Basilica after a long queue (usually). Ditto the Basilica. There is a sneaky way to jump the queue, posted elsewhere. Burano is at least 30 minutes, maybe 45, away by vaporetto, but you could do the islands with a 12 hour ticket (9 a.m. to 9 p.m., but that is one of your days completely taken up). If you are short of time, miss out Torcello. Instead, go up the campanile of San Giorgio Maggiore for a better view, no queue, and cheaper than St Mark's.

What I liked about going to the islands is the ride to and from the islands. You are out on the water and the views are great. Rialto Bridge is shops and lots of people. What we enjoyed was to just start walking through the back streets - very interesting. We also liked the Doge's Palace.

I'm going to disagree with Bert4545 about St. Mark's Basilica. I think it's a must-see. The Campanile is not so essential only if you aren't a fan of views -- I thought the view was nice, myself.

The best way in my experience to avoid long line waits during prime sightseeing hours is to go to the attraction likely to have the longest lines first, arriving well ahead of opening time.

And I found getting lost while wandering Venice to be a lot of fun, myself. It's a lovely if confusingly laid out city, with one surprise after another in store. Bert4545 and I will have to agree to disagree on this one.

Thank you for the help. Now, I am going to switch with a completely different question. I am reading that Rome is crowded, tons of graviti, worse traffic than New York City. I am planning on 5 days in Rome. Is this too much? Should I lower my expectations of Rome? Should I opt for 3 days in Rome and spend some time in Sorrento? Please help

jojuice wrote: "I am reading that Rome is crowded, tons of graviti, worse traffic than New York City."

Don't know about the graffiti, but it is indeed crowded, and the poor driving habits of Rome's inhabitants (especially those on Vespas) can be breathtaking. And from someone who has experienced Boston and New York traffic, that's saying something. But that's still no reason not to go, as Rome is a marvelous (if sometimes frustrating and irritating) city with many striking tourist attractions. Five days is a good first time amount there and will allow you to see a good bit of what the city has to offer.

I say go.

I don't know what would draw you to take time from Rome to spend in Sorrento because I don't know your interests. But we've been to Rome for a total of 15 days over multiple trips, and I would go there again in a heartbeat. There's so much to see. Crowded? In some places. Graffiti? In some places. Worse traffic than New York? I doubt it.

Back to the Venice part of your trip. With really only 2.5 days, I think you'll be hard-pressed to see everything on your list. Believe me, as you're walking from sight to sight, you'll probably lose a little time getting turned around or distracted by interesting things. I wouldn't recommend trying to see any of the islands. I think the Basilica is an absolute must, but you've got to try to see it without spending a lot of time in line. Go before it opens and try to be one of the first in, or go near the end of its open hours. Definitely spend time in Piazza San Marco in the evening. I agree that the Campanile could drop near the bottom of the priority list.

Sorry, I really just meant the queuing for the basilica is what would cause me to drop it down the priority list. Other than that, it's a must-see. As bachslunch said, get there early (or late) and avoid the queue if you can. A lot of people get to the basilica early to 'avoid the queue' - and make a huge queue before it even opens. Perhaps a bit later, when that queue has gone in, there may be a time when the queue is at something like a minimum, but during peak season the queue always seems to stretch halfway down the Piazzetta. Find my tip on beating that queue (and people who tried it told me it worked for them), and go for it.

Regarding the Basilica, I did find this site yesterday:
http://www.alata.it/eng/BOOKING/sanmarco.asp

In theory at least, booking there is another method of avoiding the queue. I was able to book two spots on the 9:45AM opening slot Monday next week, the day after we arrive. The booking went smoothly, no charge, and I received a nice e-mail voucher. … Unlike the experience of trying to book a train ticket on the Trenitalia site!

As for getting lost in Venice, well, I suppose some people can get lost anywhere. But the city covers a relatively small area, it's bounded by water so you can't wander too far, and there are many signs directing you to the main sights.

For Rome, I think 5 days is definitely not too many (too few, if anything.) I would not cut into that time for a few days in Sorrento. Rome is much more enjoyable if you can explore it at a leisurely pace.
this thread gives ideas about the many wonderful things to see and do in Rome
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...do-in-rome.cfm

As for traffic, I would go to great lengths to avoid driving in the city myself, but I didn't find traffic too disturbing as a pedestrian.