Help me budget my time in Venice..please

Old Sep 18th, 2008, 06:55 PM
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Help me budget my time in Venice..please

We are arriving in venice on october 7. We will probable get to our hotel by 5pm(we land at 2:30). That give us the evening of the 7th.. then all day on the 8th and 9th(we take a train to florence on the 10th). Can somone tell me what sights not to miss and what to skip. naturally I want to see it all (after all, it's ouur first time to italy). On the other hand, i want to enjoy the trip and not feel like i am running crazy to fit in too many sights. Should we even bother with Burano and Murano or would that be squuezing in too much? thnaks for the help
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Old Sep 18th, 2008, 07:08 PM
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Venice has many things to see and do. With two days, you have to set priorities.

Some says with just two days, don't bother with Burano or Murano (which requires a full day trip using Vaporetto.) But if the lace or the glass is your interest, then Burano or Murano is your priority.

So what are your priorities?
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Old Sep 18th, 2008, 07:36 PM
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I would see San Marco. You can reserve a time online, without prepayment.

I would walk out to the Zattere.

On my first visit, I went to the Accademia, and also to Torcello. However, I did keep moving.

I never suggest the Doge's Palace, because DH and I lost one another in there on our honeymoon, and it was traumatic. However, many people enjoy it.

I think you can squeeze in an awful lot in those days. What is it that attracts you to Venice? Surely you have an idea of what you've always wanted to see there.
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Old Sep 19th, 2008, 05:33 AM
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we were there for a week, which seems like a lot, but my fondest memories are of walking around with nowhere to go. it was like being in a dream.

as for official things to see: st. marks, show up around 9 a.m. and get in line, you won't have a problem. the campanile, for the incredible views. you can do st. marks and the campanile one day and be done in a few hours at most. also, as the guidebooks say take the #1 up and down the grand canal, soak it up and let the fact that you are in venice sink in!

we went to murano, but only becuase we had so many days there. i would not recommend it if you're there for 2 days. if you have an a few hours to kill you'd be better to just start walking. also did doge's palace, which again i would skip with your schedule.
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Old Sep 19th, 2008, 05:49 AM
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Oh, one week doesn't actually seem like a lot! All my visits summed up, I've spent ten to eleven MONTHS in Venice, and I still don't know every sight and every monument there.
So, clifbob, you will be far from seeing everything, and you'll be far from even scratching the surface of this fascinating city. You'll have to define ahead what to see (maybe 5 percent of what is there, at the most), and what to skip. As others said, we can help you if you just define your interests first.
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Old Sep 19th, 2008, 06:13 AM
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Certainly there's a lot to see in Venice, although most people who have been there would say that the most important thing to see is Venice itself, not one particular sight.

I suggest

Oct 7-
wander around before and after dinner. Take a vaporetto along the complete length of the Grand Canal.

Oct 8 -
AM- See the San Marco area sights that interest you: Basilica, Doge's Palace
PM - Take a daylight vaporetto ride along the Grand Canal. Visit the Accademia gallery. Then wander in the neighborhood, Dorsoduro.

Oct 9 -
AM - Visit the Rialto bridge and markets. Wander in the neighborhood, San Polo/Santa Croce. Visit the Frari Church.
PM - Visit the Scuole di San Rocco. Take a traghetto across to Cannaregio and wander to the Jewish Ghetto. If you feel you have the time, take a boat from Fond. Nuove to Murano, which is a quick 10-minute ride.

Generally, I plan one sight in the morning, one sight in the afternoon, and connect it together with plenty of wandering and kismet.


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Old Sep 19th, 2008, 08:15 AM
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My DH and I did a 3-4 hour trip to Murano, Burano, Torchello so I don't think it takes the whole day. It was cool to get out to those quieter areas but be careful: the tour guides try to steer you to buy the glass and lace like fiends. It's better just to walk around (Burano & Torchello; on Murano we saw the glass made but were otherwise captives). I think you will have PLENTY of time. If you approach the time there with the idea of enjoyment vs. checking sights off your list, you'll have a lot more fun. Who wants to go where all the tourists go anyway? The Doge's Palace is cool, and for me, the Peggy Gugenheim Museum is among the best museums I've visited (and I've been to plenty). Great collection and not overwhelming. Venice is nice and quiet at night when the throngs of cruise ship tourists are gone. During the day, seeing sights & navigating crowded bridges is challenging and a little irritating. If you have the money to sit in the San Marco plaza, listen to the bands and watch the people go by, it's time well-spent. They will charge you up the wazoo for the pleasure though, so be ready. I'd recommend a vaporetto to Santa Maria del Maggiore and walking around there where it's quieter during the day. My favorite restaurant in Venice is there: Linadombra and DH and I had an unbelievable 3-course lunch there--a highlight experience.
http://www.ristorantelineadombra.com...index_eng.html

Do watch out since there are plenty of "miss" (as opposed to "hit") restaurants in Venice. For me, the food, relaxing and sitting while the city hums around me is the best part. It's possible to see everything and still miss what you really came for, so don't run like crazy.
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Old Sep 19th, 2008, 08:47 AM
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Personally, I think it depends on what type of traveler you are. Why are you visiting Italy? Is it to see the "sights" or rather to live the experience? For me, Italy is all about the latter option.

I have been to Venice 5 times, for 2-4 days each. Highlights for me are not the musuems, Murano, etc., but rather visiting the Rialto Market in the mornings and meandering the rest of the time. I have never been to most of what others consider the "must sees".

There are some foods in this region that I really enjoy like seppie prepared in a million different ways so an example of fun for me it finding new dishes made with the ink or trying my favorite seppie dishes at different restaurants. I also always go over to the Lido to escape the crowds of the city.

Venice is not in my top 100 list of favorite places but when I do go there I find the things I personally enjoy and don't worry about fitting in the guidebook sights. But then that is how I explore everywhere and I know it is not typical
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Old Sep 19th, 2008, 09:12 AM
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I just spent 8 days in Venice and didn't get to see everything I wanted to (although I had a class in the morning 5 days so that took up some time) so I agree with the people that say to prioritize.

What are you most interested in ? Venice has so much to offer. I am big on photography so I spent a lot of time just walking around and taking it all in. Some of my favorite things I did/saw was the following (no particular order)

- the secret itinerary tour at the Doges palace and the rest of the palace. I got tickets ahead of time, well worth it.

- going up the Campanile a couple hours before sunset for great views and photo ops

- going to different bars wine and cichetti

- sipping a bellini or spritz on a less touristy campo (ex: in front of the arsenal)

- I am a fan of Canaletto and the only place in Venice to see his work (2) is at the Ca'Rezzonico. I really enjoyed the entire palace, just amazing.

I did a whole lot more, churches, the Accademia was good as well. For the islands I went to Murano and Burano. With the little time you have I really wouldn't bother with Murano. If you are into photo ops, Burano is a must, so colorful. Oh the am fish market was great for photo ops as well.

Well I hope that helps a little, whatever you do you can't go wrong, just enjoy the time you have and plan to go back !
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Old Sep 19th, 2008, 09:44 AM
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Thanks for all the input. Any thoughts on good places to eat(not overly expensive)? I want to get A REAL idea of where the locals eat as oppsed to too much tourisy places. Is harry's bar worth going to for the famous bellini?
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Old Sep 19th, 2008, 10:00 AM
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Try this thread for food in Venice: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34791666

And I repeat, if you tell us about your interests, you'll get more and more precise advice - we're absolutely willing to recommend "your" customized sights & activities, but we'd need to know who you are, what you're into, what you're passionate about (early Renaissance, jazz, particle physics, Tintoretto, scallops, lagoon ecology, you name it!)...
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Old Sep 19th, 2008, 10:16 AM
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Venice is touristy, bottom line.

There will be fewer tourists the further you go from San Marco, but they're always there. We like to stay in the Cannaregio, about a 15-min. walk to San Marco, but it's a bit less touristy there. Our favorite restaurant is Anice Stellato, another 20 minutes walk from our hotel, in the opposite direction from San Marco (in other words, FAR AWAY). When we've been, even there, there's been a mix of Italians and tourists (but good, inventive seafood nonetheless).

We were FORCED (following the rules of politeness) to go to Harry's Bar on our last trip to Venice, to meet with a partner of my husband who was in Venice at the same time. I found it horrible. The bar, a cheerless room with no windows (that can't be right - maybe it just seemed like there were no windows), was packed with English-speaking tourists; the waiters didn't even start with a buon giorno. The Bellinis were about $25 dollars - I did not get one, as I'm not interested in over-priced drinks. At the risk of sounding like a curmugeon, I don't like places where I feel like I'm going just to say that I've been. (And, BTW, I felt the same way about Hemingway's smoke-filled bar in Paris, after I went there with my mom, at her fervent desire.)

Your best time in Venice will be spent wandering the side streets and canals. Several guidebooks have walking tours that you can take, to help you get to some more out-of-the-way spots. I had a lot of fun using J. Links quirky book, Venice for Pleasure, which includes copies of paintings of Venice long ago, so you can see how little has changed.
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Old Sep 19th, 2008, 10:45 AM
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With two days I would simply wander around the central part of Venice. I would skip going out to the islands.

Take the No. 1 route vaporetto which runs along the Grand Canal for an inexpensive "tour". Also with a walking map you can just figure your own way around on foot.

Visit San Marco, the Rialto Bridge, stroll along the promonade at Zattere. Maybe take time to go inside the cathedral and visit one museum.

If you don't want touristy places, I think I'd skip Harry's bar.

My favorite meals in Venice were at small local cafes with delicious wine and simple fresh sandwiches. No name to recommend, but you'll spot these along the sidewalks (sandwiches often ready-made displayed in a glass case).
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Old Sep 19th, 2008, 03:08 PM
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Hi clif,

> naturally I want to see it all...<

You have 2 days and 3 nights in Venice.

I have been to Venice at least 22 days, on various visits, and have not seen it all.

Venice is not a city for checking sights/sites off from your list.

"Venice is a box of bonbons" - Truman Capote

It is to be savored and enjoyed slowly.

Just walk around the town and enjoy the wonders of being there.

Don't forget to stop in at every little, dinky church.

You never know what masterpiece is hidden inside.

Enjoy your visit.

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Old Sep 20th, 2008, 03:46 PM
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Old Sep 21st, 2008, 12:18 AM
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Unless you are in dire need of glass or lace, forget the islands (tourist traps)-I would suggest:

#1 Vaporetto for a complete circuit-it is the best way to see it all

Frari-2 of the best Titian paintings, The Assumption & Pesaro Madonna, Bellini & the choir loft-then go around the corner to

San Roch-go to the 2d floor & sit for at least a 1/2 hour gazing at Tintoretto's Crucifixion
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Old Sep 21st, 2008, 12:28 AM
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We visited Burano by using our 24 hour vaporetto pass. We wandered around and had a lovely time, Burano is VERY cute. We weren't pressured at any time to purchase lace items.

Naturally though, it does depend on your interests and what you would like to achieve by visiting Venice.
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