I am leaving for Venice on Wednesday and would appreciate any last minute tips and advice anyone would like to share.<BR><BR>I am staying almost on the Grand Canal about half way from St Mark's to Rialto area for 6 nights.<BR><BR>I am particularly interested in information about any excursions or special tours people have taken (for example recent comments on private guides or the secret tour of the doge's palace) and also in regular restaurant recommendations.<BR><BR>Many thanks

Here are two good websites for current events<BR>www.veniceword.com<BR>www.aguestinvenice .com<BR>http://dest.travelocity.com<BR>/DestGuides/geo_main<BR>/0,1743,TRAVELOCITY|2167,00.html <BR>Has information about Venice, including the "Secret Itinerary". This must be booked by appointment. The English tour is in the morning--your hotel will know. 10am I think. It includes the prisons, torture chambers, and other rooms that normally aren't open to visitors. Younger children and handicapped tourists are free. Reserve at least a day or two in advance, since the number of visitors is limited. (The fee is in addition to the standard Doge's Palace/Correr Museum admission fee.) <BR>You've probably already done a lot of research, but if you'd like to see my long Venice file, email me

My family and I were in Venice on Easter weekend '01 (Saturday and Sunday). It was extremely crowded as both foreign and Italian tourists were visiting, particularly in the area where you are staying.<BR><BR>You will enjoy your visit but do not be surprised if you have lots of company. Literally wall to wall people.<BR><BR>The one thing we did that was very special was happened into to the Basilica San Marco on Easter Morning for the high mass. We're not Catholic but the mass was presided over by the Bishop of Venice and the choir, the whole service was very moving. Wish people a "Buona Pasqua." <BR>

Thank you both for your advice. Elaine, I already have your wonderful venice file which I have really enjoyed reading.<BR><BR>I am hoping to book the secret tour of the Doge's palace on arrival but am prepared to find it fully booked since I am there over such a busy period.<BR><BR>I am also hoping to visit the Peggy Guggenheim museum.<BR><BR>Leslie, did you experience any problems finding places to dine in the evening because of the crowds? Did you find you needed to make reservations most evenings? And were most attractions open over the Friday to Monday period?<BR><BR>Thank you for your continued help.<BR><BR>Also looking for any other recommendations and stories about recent trips to Venice.<BR><BR>Thank you.

No problem getting into restaurants at all, even on Easter. I think we did make a reservation on Saturday night for a very popular restaurant (something alla Madonna) on the east side of the Rialto bridge.. (Not counting the mob scene in MacDonalds for lunch. But then you probably don't have that concern - we had kids who "insisted")<BR><BR>We visited the Palazzo Ducale and the Campanile on that Saturday, not problem. On Easter Sunday, I recall most restaurants and tourist oriented shops were open. Only the clothing stores were closed. <BR><BR>

Thank you!<BR><BR>