Estela

I will be visiting Italy for the first time at the beginning of September (Venice, Florence, Rome) and have four days in Venice. I would like any recommendations on day trips to nearby towns from Venice (unless you think there is enough to see in Venice for four days). Also any comments on the following hotels would be appreciated: Hotel Kette (Venice), Hotel Corona D'Italia (Florence) and Hotel Bettoja Nord (Rome). Thanks in advance!

Paulo

With 4 days in Venice, a trip to the lagoon islands is a must. My personal preference is the Burano/Torcello combo over Murano. Venice is a strolling city. You have to get lost in its various "sestieri". A long stroll through San Polo and Dorsoduro will eat up a full day. Castello and Cannaregio will call for another one. I doubt that you'll find time to get out to the continent. If I'm wrong, you'd have the choice of visiting Padua (painting), Vicenza (architecture) or Treviso (more of Venice's atmosphere and good food). <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR>

howard

Once you get to Venice, you probably won't want to spend more than one of the days--if any at all--out of the city. As Paolo said, you must get lost in Venice. Just walk and walk and walk!That's part of the joy of experiencing this incredible city.

Estela

Thank you both for the great advice! Paulo, do I need to make arragements for these day trips before I get to Venice or could it be something more spontaneous once I get there?

Gina

I definitely agree with Paulo and Howard--I spent three days in Venice last fall, and they weren't nearly enough. To the islands that Paulo recommends, I'd add San Michele, the "island of the dead"--Venice's cemetery island. My traveling companion really wanted to go...I wasn't that interested, but found it fascinating once we went. Diaghilev and Ezra Pound are buried there, among others. (Someone had left a pair of well-used toe shoes on Diaghilev's tomb.) <BR> <BR>Paulo will probably have more detailed advice about your island jaunts, but in my experience, no, you don't need to plan trips to Burano, Torcello, Murano, etc. in advance. The various vaporetto lines run frequently between Venice and the lagoon islands. Just see how you feel that day and hop on one. <BR> <BR>I also can't recommend enough buying a copy of Jan Morris' "The World of Venice" and reading it thoroughly before you go. It is the most lyrical, beautiful, detailed, quirky picture of this magnificent city that I've ever read. The author is utterly in love with the city, but clear-eyed about its faults...which in turn are part of its charm. It'll give you a great idea of what to look for outside the traditional tourist paths. <BR> <BR>

Paulo

No, Estela, you may play it by ear. You should reserve at least an afternoon of your stay to trip the lagoon, using vaporettos (or plan to go in the morning and have lunch in Torcello). <BR> <BR>Should you decide to visit Padua, Vicenza or Treviso, there are very frequent trains back and forth (one way trip times are 30 minutes to Padua or Treviso, and 1 hour to Vicenza). <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR>