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Judy,<BR><BR>Go to the Guggenheim museum, the Accademia, and Ca'Rezzonico. All are located just about next to each other. Ca'Rezzonico is a renovated palazzo that is outstanding. In fact, the top 2 floors have an incredible art collection. <BR><BR>If you go to the Guggenheim, go there for lunch. The cuisine was outstanding (I had a cream of carrot soup and a white lasagne with fresh artichokes). <BR><BR>We stayed at the Locanda Barbarigo, a pensione 2 blocks from the Gritti Palace. It was just great, and very reasonable. <BR><BR>My most important suggestion is to travel light. Only bring a carry-on size suitcase and a tote/backpack for daytime (to carry snacks, shopping, etc). When using the trains in Italy, there is a compartment at the beginning of the cars to put your luggage, but they fill up. Once they are filled up, then you can put your luggage overhead in a luggage rack. I can't tell you how many people I saw struggling with big bags and trying to get them into these overhead compartments. Plus, you may just want to keep your luggage overhead anyway, so you can keep an eye on it.<BR><BR>Have a fun time!<BR><BR>Kiki

Judy,<BR><BR>I almost forgot - the most important tool that I bought in the U.S. before I went to Venice was my "Let's Go Venice" map. I got it at Barnes and Noble and it is the best map for Venice. First, it is laminated, so if it gets wet, it won't tear, etc. Second, it has a vaparetto route map on it that is easy to read. Third, it has 2 sides for the street maps. Fourth, it opens up in an easy way, so that you don't end up with this huge square map that makes you look like a lost tourist!<BR><BR>Kiki