Have 5 days available for Venice. Should we spend all 5 there? If not where? we will be coming from Florence. Thanks.

If it is your first time I would say yes to spending all the time there. I have been several times in Venice and last month spent 4 days there. I thought we would get bored and need to go to Verona or something, but never had the time. We did/ saw new things such as the islands of Burano and Torcello, and many of the beautiful churches full of art we had never been in. There is a lot to see in Venice.

If you are into art you could go to Padua and see the Capella degli Scrovegni and its beautiful frescoes by Giotto (however, you need advanced reservations). Another easy day trip is Verona.

I think 5 days is about right---no reason for day trips.

If you're interested in architecture, another possible day trip is Vicenza and a tour of the villas designed by Palladio.

The Venetian lagoon island of Murano, the glass blowing island, is of interest. There's a glass museum there. And the resort island of Lido is mildly interesting.

But I envy you five delightful relaxing days in Venice. No cars, no trucks, all that lovely water and all that lovely city.

May I add my question here - there is a leaning tower in Burano (something like in Pisa) - anybody saw it? More details, please? Easy to find?

It is a bell tower that is leaning, visible from miles away as you approach the island by vaporetto. No mystery about finding the leaning tower of Burano.

i've been to Venice twice, stayed 5 days both times. That seemed about right. I would have enjoyed a few more days, but wouldn't have wanted any less time.

Dayenu, I have some photos of the "Leaning Tower of Burano" on my flickr site: www.flickr.com/photos/basingstoke2/collections

Open the Venice collection and then the Burano! set. The tower is the last 5 photos.

There are a number leaning towers in Europe (there is even one in Baltimore). Another nice one is in Delft. None are nearly as ornate as the one in Pisa.

Looked at the photos (here goes my lunch hour ) - amazing painted houses! Remind me of South America for some reason. I guess, in person it's different.

Interesting glass factory photos, oy!

You can always decide if you want to take a day trip when you are in Venice, no need to plan ahead.

Two days in Venice is enough for me but I am not a big fan of the city. Obviously, many love it. Only you can decide if 5 days is just enough or too much.

If you enjoy pics, here are some last year you may like:
http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=4440

Interesting photos. Junior League?

hi Gerald,

I'm definitely of the "I can't get enough of venice" school. I've been 5 or so times, and never yet seen the need for a day trip [trips to the islands don't really count, IMHO, as day trips, as you are still within the lagoon].

the last time we went was for a week; click on my screen name and you'll find my trip report, which might give you an idea of what you'd like to do in your 5 days.

you don't have to decide until you get there - it's easy enough to buy train tickets to local places on the day.

have a great trip!

Geraldm:

I definitely recommend five days in car-free, vespa-free Venice, especially after the greater chaos of the always rewarding Florence. I spent 10 days in Venice in May, after three previous three-day stays. I still want to return. I found a lot of great restaurants this time. You'll have the time to find some of your own. And you'll have the time to get way from the crowds, when you want to, and find your own quieter pathways.

Yes,Dayenu, but only sustainers.
I love that pic.

The inclination to the south on the San Martino Vescovo campanile rivals the tower at Pisa, and when it falls, it will surely put the adjacent soccer pitch out of action for months. One can only hope there is not a game in progress at the time. Doubtless Buranese mothers have been warning their sons of the danger of the falling campanile for several centuries. Buranese males, like Buranese dogs, being of an independent streak, will have been ignoring the warnings for the same period.

Geraldm: I love Venice but my good friend does not like it. I find that it really pays to figure out public transportation and what there is to see and do in Venice. It also helps to like to walk, see art, love churches.

My friend does not like to walk, and can't do it with ease. She was appalled at how difficult it was for her to get around in Venice.

These thoughts are just for your consideration.