Day trips from Venice
 

Well, thanks to all the wonderful advice I got here, I have decided on Venice for my long weekend - I'll take an evening train from Milan on Nov 19th, then my flight back is on November 23rd at 12:40 PM, and there's an early morning train back that the wonderful people at Locanda Orseolo (where we will be staying!) said would get us there in time.

I am so excited about this trip!!!! My first time in Italy!

A friend mentioned to me that Venice is small, and 3 days might be too much. I was wondering if anyone had suggestions for a good day trip - primarily one involving Vineyards - out of Venice.

Also, any suggestions in the city would be gladly accepted.

One more thing - how reliable are the trains? If I'm leaving on a 6:30 train to Milan set to get me in at 9:05, does that leave me ample time to get to the airport? I would love to take a morning train so I can see the countryside!

Thanks!

Hi ODO,
Venice IS small but there are many nooks and crannies so you might find you want more than 3 days!
Other Fodorites will have to advise about nearby vineyards.
Trains are very good. Your timing should be fine. When we were there, there was a bus to airport at Milan station leaving every 20 minutes. You might have to cab it if timing feels tight.
Enjoy and please report back!

Ho Oh - 3 days in Venice too much?? No way!

Don't miss a trip to Burano - a real delight IMO.

Steve

I don't think you will want to leave Venice if you are only there for three days. The lagoon islands (Murano, Burano and Torcello) are interesting to visit as a change from the city. My personal favorite is Torcello
http://travel.nytimes.com/2006/02/19.../19dayout.html

You could certainly research other possible day trips like Padua and Vicenza (both easy train rides) in case we are all wrong and you find you want to leave Venice. I think to visit vineyards you would need to have a car or take a tour

3 days would be too much only for someone who hasn't read up on Venice to find out what is there. We spent 4-1/2 days on our first trip there 12 years ago, and we didn't have time for such major sights as the Accademia Museum and the Guggenheim Museum and some of the better known churches, not to mention any of the smaller lagoon islands like Murano, Burano, and Torcello.

It really takes at least 5 days for Venice.

3 days is a short trip to Venice. I had some guests there last October who refused to read up on the lay of the islands, the sights, and the transportation options. After Piazza San Marco they were ready to leave.

We have been to Venice several times and our trip in October was for a week. We bought a Venice pass which was great for us because we wanted to see everything and go everywhere. And we did.

Buying the inexpensive Chorus Pass, which allows visits to many churches, is a great way to the city. It allowed us to wander from church to church on the map that is included with the pass, and we saw more than we had expected. This was a couple of trips ago.

There are literally dozens of churches and museums that I have yet to see in Venice. Three days is nothing!

One thing: check out opening and closing schedules before you plan your days.

Late November and vineyards from Venice without a car doesnt see easy, or maybe even practical.

OMG... my post wasn't edited. I'm sorry. Venice is fabulous. Learn a little about how it works and what is there. You will love it.

The "see" in the last sentence of my previous post should have been "seem."

plenty to do for only 3 days (!) but...if you want a daytrip....Padova, Bassano del Grappa, Verona, Ferrara are all good (IMHO).

Ok! Hearing you loud and clear - will not run out of things to do in Venice - and I promise to read up on it very well before I go.

By the way, could the people from Locanda Orseolo be any nicer? Just cooresponding with them re: reservations is a joy! Thanks for all who recommended them - I have a feeling they will live up to all the good press. :)

I'm smiling at the notion that 3 days is too much for Venice, and daytrips FROM Venice, because my first stay there involved 3 days, and I had to daytrip TO venice because I couldn't get a room in town.

I second the Burano recommendation. Torcello is also a nice trip but doesn't take an entire day.

Hello Ohdonnaoh, I am so glad that your have worked out to your satisfaction your time in beautiful Italy.

I do have a question. Not to disagree with the Locanda Orseolo for sure but what time do they recommend you take the train departing Venice? And your train will go the the Central Train Station in Milan I would think. Am I correct?

And if I am you will probably take the Malpensa Shuttle bus to the Malpensa Airport assuming you are departing Italy from Malpensa. Am I right?

I gave you the website for the Malpensa Shuttle bus on your other thread.

So my concern is can you really take the train to Milan the morning of your flight and also get to the airport at the proper time to check in etc. I am not saying it is not possible just wondering.

Best regards and have a beautiful trip! No doubt you will fall in love with Italy and make many more trips Ohdonnaoh.

hi, ohdonnaoh,

ditto what all the others have said. we were in venice or a whole week at easter with no day trips and it wasn't too long.

we did go out to the islands twice though, once to see Burano and Murano and once to Torcello, which I agree is lovely. you can combine them all thus: get the boat to Burano and stay on all the way to the island harbour. immediately get on the shuttle boat to Torcello, and once there, tour the cathedral [last renovated in 900 and something] with its beautiful mosaics. then either lunch on torcello [you might like the attila restaurant as much as we did, not least for its log fire] or get the shuttle back to Burano, walk down to the centre and lunch in one of the restaurants down there.

then catch the boat back to Venice, but get off at the "faro" stop on Murano and walk through the town, shopping or watching the glass blowing. then catch another boat back to Venice from the piers in the middle.

it goes without saying that a trip like that will mean that you should buy a vaporetto pass, rather than paying €6.50 per single journey. [and more I think for the island trip]. it'll take you most of the day.

Have a great trip,

regards, ann

You guys are making me more excited by the moment!

Love Italy - Locanda said there's a 6:30 train that gets to Milan at 9:30, and if the bus is another hour, we are still cool for the flight - hoping the trains are on time! Locanda gave us the fourth night free just to sweeten the pot for staying! Do you think the time is ample?

Ann, wow!!! Amazing suggestions - thanks! I can't wait to see the islands!


I definitely have my homework cut out for me reading up on Venice. You all have been a huge help - thnaks!!!!

double check on trenitalia...but I believe the 6:30 train gets into Milan around 9 (9:05 or something?) - so, you should be ok.

opps. sorry! just saw you already do know it gets in at 9:05 :-)

No worries! Better safe than sorry! :)

Hello Ohdonnaoh, here is the schedule for the Malpensa Shuttle from the Central (Centrale) Train station in Milan to Malpensa. If arriving two hours at Malpensa before your depature flight is workable you should be fine. I have experienced trains in Italy being quite late but that is usually trains from Rome.

http://www.malpensashuttle.it/mxp-mil.htm

Thanks LoveItaly! If for some reason we miss the shuttle and have to take a cab from the train station, how much is that?

I've always wanted to see the Palladian villas in the Veneto.