For a wedding present, we have received starwood hotel points for a 5 night stay in a fabulous suite at Hotel Danieli in Venice. Knowing that 5 nights in Venice probably isn't required, we are hoping to go on a couple of day trips. Any suggestions?

By the way, any of you who helped me with our Rome hotel, I rechecked the area of the Mecenate Palace Hotel and realized that you were all right! We are still searching...I am sticking to the Pantheon area. Should I look in any other areas as well?

Five nights in Venice probably means only 4 days.

You are on your honeymoon, you won't be rushing around, so 4 days in Venice sounds perfect. A trip out to Murano, Burano and Torcello with a lazy lunch somewhere (you don't say when you are going but if in season (the spring) do try the bruscandoli risotto on Torcello, and the molecche (soft shell crabs) on Burano.

I could spend months in Venice without seeing all there is to see, and not get bored. 4 / 5 days will only scratch the surface of the fabulous city, and you may get to see the main sights... while spending many hours sipping prosecco or bellinis together.

But you are on your honeymoon - why would you want to rush about?

But if you do want to get out and see some other things, here are a couple of my favorites:

Padua -- very close by train and a delightful city to walk around in with lots to see.

Chioggia -- the "old working man's Venice" at the southern end of the lagoon. Getting there is half the fun with a combination of boats, busses, and ferrys over to the Lido and then down along the coast. Great gritty seafood restaurants and picturesque old houses, shops, and fishermen with their boats and nets.

The above mentioned Muranto, Burano, and Torcello -- perhaps all in one day.

A trip up to Asolo, a very pretty hill town.

Of course, it depends on your interests, but there is plenty in Venice to keep one busy for 4 or 5 days.

Some of the sights, sites, and activities in Venice:

Piazza San Marco, Basilica San Marco, Campanile, Palace of the Doges, Grand Canal on a vaporetto, Lagoon islands: (Murano, Burano, Torcello), San Michelle, Gondola yard. The Arsenal and the Naval Museum, Correr Museum, Accademia art museum, Peggy Guggenheim Gallery, numerous art shows and exhibits that are always running, The Ghetto. Another dozen or so specialty museums (Lace museum, Archaeological musuem, etc).

Too many churches to list with interesting and world-class art and architecture, but...Basilica Santa Mariadella Salute, Basilica dei Frari, Santa Maria dei Miracoli, San Sebastiano, San Pietro di Castello, Santo Giovanni E Paolo, Madonna dell'Orto. Venice's churches have some of Italy's greatest works of art--many free to view--by the likes of Tintoretto, Veronese, Titian, Bellini, Vivarini, and Carpaccio.

Scuola Grande di San Rocco, Scuola San Giorgio degli Schiavoni, Scuola San Nicolo, Scuola Grande Dei Carmini, Scuole Grande of San Rocco.

Campo Santa Maria Formosa, Ca’ Rezzonico museum, Querini-Stampalia palace/museum, San Giovanni Evangelista, Ponte di Rialto, Rialto market, Ca’ d’Oro, Ca' Pesaro museum, gondola tour of smaller, hidden canals. Opera and concerts at La Fenice and other venues. Walking away from the daytripping herds and discovering a quiet, secret city that most tourists have no clue exists--quiet campos with perhaps a restaurant or two and a couple of shops, and neighborhood children playing or couples strolling before dinner.

And don't forget the Lido of Venice in the summer.

Another vote for staying in Venice. Maybe taking the boats out to visit some of the islands. 5 night will fly by. I wouldn't want to spoil it by running all over the place (personal preference, I realize).

Hi CA,

>Knowing that 5 nights in Venice probably isn't required, ....<

Dessert isn't required either.

Before you plan on daytrips, give Venice a chance.

We have spent several weeks in Venice, over the years, and still have a list of things to see and do.

Thanks so much! I didn't think that we would have that much to do. Boy was I wrong. Must do some more research in Venice!

...and even what the above posters (justifiedly) told you about is just a small percentage of what Venice boasts. All my visits summed up, I've spent six to eight months there over the last 15 or so years, and I'm still far from knowing the whole city.

Hi, CAAA.

Of course, no one is expected to be interested in or want to see everything there is to see in Venice or any other destination while on vacation.

But I do think most people don't quite realize what is available in Venice besides the Grand Canal, the sights around Piazza San Marco, and a couple of the better known museums.