Ideas re Venice off the beaten track?
 

Our ship will stop in Venice on Sunday Sept. 18. This will be our 3rd time there and we have happily wandered all over the place already, so were trying to find some off-the-beaten track things to do. My list of possibilities includes Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, Santa Maria dei Miracoli, Fondazione Querini Stampalia, and/or a tour of Teatro La Fenice (the latter not being off the beaten track but somehow we haven't done it before). I have not yet tracked where these are all located; I'm just trying to get some ideas-- espec. since we'll be there on a Sunday. I contacted a tour co. (L'Altra Venezia) that offers visits to artisans' workshops but haven't heard back from them. Yes, we've already visited the gondola workshop. We have from 8 to 7. Any other neat things to do/see? Thanks!

While people seem know about the islands, in my experience few seem to visit 2 of them, which I suppose is the definition of "off the beaten track" - Torcello, mostly very rural and a nice place to walk, and the cemetery island San Michele, very close to Fondamente Nove where the vaporettos leave for both. I enjoyed them both.

Have you ever been to the Biennale? If not, it would be a nice way to spend a few hours on a Sunday afternoon. This year is the Architecture Biennale.

http://www.labiennale.org/en/architecture/index.html

The grounds of the Biennale are interesting even without going into any of the pavilions, and there are some nice places to get a coffee or drink. Then, head over to the Via Garibaldi for a glass of wine with the locals at Refolo.

You might consult the book "Secret Venice" by Jonglez. All sorts of "off the beaten track" things in there.

With that amount of time, you could hop a train and visit Vicenza (first or second choice of things to do) or Padua.

Take a trip down the Brenta canal.

Have you been to Burano? Would be my first choice if you haven't been.

Are you a Donna Leon fan? The next time we are in Venice, we plan to do a Brunetti walk, see all the places mentioned in the books and eat at some of the places where he has coffee and lunch.

I forget where it is off hand, but there is a cat sanctuary somewhere in Venice that is supposed to be interesting.

I did a week of "churches" in Venice. Santa Maria dei Miracoli is really beautiful, and unusual. It is a church you will not forget! It will seem a bit difficult to find, but once you do, the area surrounding it is very nice for walking.

Enjoying all these responses, folks. Thanks, as we'll be in Venice over Christmas this year, and it's been a long time since I've been.

I love Palazzo Querini-Stampalia because I am a fan of Venetian painter Pietro Longhi. Longhi painted scenes of 18th-century patrician life.

You may enjoying viewing the ceiling of San Pantalon church.

Have you been inside Madonna dell'Orto? John Ruskin's wife fled the church screaming after viewing Tintoretto's Last Judgment.


Thin

In December you won't have enough daylight hours to leave town.

Visit the Jewish Ghetto. They do tours and there is a great museum.

If you haven't been, the Scuola Grande di San Rocco and the Church of Santa Maria de'Frari are near each other. The Scuola Grande is almost entirely decorated with works by Tintoretto, and S. Maria de'Frari has the famous "Assumption" painting by Titian.

Another possibility is a visit to Ca'Rezzonico, a splendid Venetian Palace. There are some works by Tiepolo there, and they often have temporary exhibits, but the palazzo itself, with its grand ballroom, would be worth the visit.

All three of these places are in pleasant and uncrowded parts of Venice, but close to the center of the action.

I wouldn't think of a trip on the Brenta Canal on a day when I had to board a cruise ship. You probably have to be back on board well before 7. When we took a trip on the canal, we got greatly delayed by low water, which meant that we got stuck behind other boats, and eventually had to abandon the boat and take a bus back to Padova.

Re La Fenice, and assuming it is available on your date. I know you can get a "guided" tour of at least parts of the interior. I haven't done the tour, only attended performances.

The house is located a not-so-long walk from the del Giglio vap stop. Despite the place having been destroyed by fire several times the interior is elaborate in terms of decoration and worth at least a short visit IMO.

If you have an interest in the art of Venice that was created for specific churches, buy the Chorus Pass and wander the city visiting many off the radar churches.it will yake you to ontsresting neighborhoods too. The boat ride on tne Brenta Canal is interesting to do as well, visiting the Palladian villas along the banks.. You can take a bus back skipping the lunch on their schedule. Make aure you buy a ticket withpit the lunch and boat ride back to Venice.

The OP is going to be there in September with 12 hours of daylight and at least 8-9 hours of sightseeing time, enough time and light to do most anything they wish.

Of course, StCirq, in December, will have only about 8 hours of daylight, but will be there for a few days, so could certainly still take day trips. Vicenza and Padua will be chilly, but both are nice for dinner even on dark evenings, and easy by train.

Sorry, didn't mean to confuse the thread. Yes, OP will be there in September.

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StCirq, I don't think you confused anything.
We didn't always clearly direct responses.

StCirq, Vicenza is a gem, especially Teatro Olimpico! Check hours.

bvlenci, I second Grande and add all of the Scuoli the OP can locate. A favorite was Grande dei Carmini--gorgeous ceilings. There is some interesting history about Tintoretto in the Grande Scuola.

When we were there, Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo was not open to the public but we found it while looking for Fenice. I presume, as Dukey mentioned upthread, you've googled the Fenice schedules?

If you do decide to visit Padua, do check for reservations for Chiesa degli Eremitani. It was months in advance when we were there. Padua is an easy day trip and very interesting, imo.

Did you visit the Gesuiti where the marble looks like fabric? Try googling
Chiesa dei Gesuiti. It's not the one nearer Grand Canal. Can anyone help me in my senior moment of need?!

Have a great time!

Sassafrass, I have spent quite a bit of time in Vicenza, and Padua, the Veneto in general. Love it all. I've also wandered the Jewish Quarter of Venice a number of times. My DH has been to the Jewish Quarter as well, but we will both want to go back. He has not been to Vicenza, though, so I think we will make sure to get there. We have only a few days, and one of them is Christmas, so we will have to plan carefully!

Tdudette, i think you mean the one near Fondamenta Nove.

Wow! Thank you all for your replies. No shortage of great ideas!

So many great ideas above but there;s also the Giovanni e Paolo church which is stunning inside and has such a love campo in front!