A friend and I are going to be in Venice on her birthday. It's her first time in Europe. If it were you, what would you do? Budgets are medium. This will probably be our big splurge. Two single women, young 40s ;-)

Thanks in advance!

Sara

Well.... after deciding what sights would interest you, and finding a great place to have dinner..... the one thing I would not miss (crossing fingers that the weather cooperates) is to have an after dinner drink in San Marco square with the "dueling" orchestras. Expensive.. but great fun.

Hi S,

I go with Grandma.

I would just wander around the central part of the city, San Marcos to Rialto Bridge. There's nothing more magical to do in Venice than that imo. Maybe ride a vaporetto up the Grand Canal?

Grandma's idea sounds excellent.

I'd have an ice-cream on Le Zattere (Dorsoduro) while watching the sunset and the people go by. It's like being part of a painting.

I'm sure someone here will know the name of the place. There is a jazz bar/restaurant near the Rialto. Barco's or something. Very fun - food was very good - the staff is wonderful and I would guarantee if you tell them you're celebrating they will ensure you have a great evening. I know when we were there, I ended up behind the bar, helping to make the drinks!

Bacarro Jazz? I do link a drink there...but I like a drink at Centrale Lounge even better. ;-)

Splurge on a gondola ride? I think they are about $100, but may be negotiable, depending on demand.

I was in Venice on Mother's Day with my daughter, and we had a lovely morning meal on the outdoor patio of La Calcina, overlooking the water. They are open for dinner, too, I think.

From my trip report:
"The next day was Mother’s Day, so we headed out to find Bar Caffe La Piscina for a special brunch. Having read so much about the Pension La Calcina, Dorsoduro 780, I had sent an availability inquiry via e-mail to them while looking for accommodations in Venice. Even though they were full, La Calcina sent back a nice e-mail with their regrets, and an offer to visit their lovely restaurant, La Piscina, including a 12 percent discount on our meal, to thank us for our interest (a very nice touch).

Researching La Piscina on the internet, I thought it looked very attractive. It sits on the Zattere, with a beautiful view of the Giudecca canal and the pretty buildings across it. La Piscina’s outdoor tables are shaded by pretty blue umbrellas, and are set on a wooden deck over the water.

We were very happy we’d made the somewhat long and hungry walk to Dorsoduro, because eating at La Piscina was a real treat. The service was impeccable, the atmosphere amazing, and we had a beautiful blue-sky day to enjoy the view. Our meal included wine, bottled water, a primi, a “snack”, and a secondi, for 46.50EUR, minus 5.50 EUR for our discount. It was an especially memorable Mother’s Day, for sure.

After our meal, we walked into Pensione La Calcina and were impressed with how nice it looked. Its prices seemed really low, for its nice setting and the pretty look of the hotel. We’ll definitely remember it, if we re-visit Venice in the future. We were told to inquire several months in advance for lodging availability there."

Have fun!

How many days will you be in Venice?
What for celebrating a birthday.

If I was in Venice on my birthday I would visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and visit my favorite Magritte, but that's just me.

I would have to buy myself at least one nice necklace.

I also like all those ideas, I'll be there just two weeks short of my 50th birthday and I also intend to make it a celebration, especially for 50, got to celebrate that birthday so it's not so scary.

I go along with Grandma, too. Top off your evening with a drink at the Florian Cafe. And try to work a gondola ride into your budget.

The first time we went to Venice, we were in Florence first. We were in a small restaurant and struck up a conversation with an American businessman who was dining alone.

He asked us where we were going next, and we said "Venice". He told us that we had to PROMISE him that we would take a gondola ride. He said that so many people think it is too "touristy", and don't do it.

He took his business card out and handed it to us. He said, "If you don't love the gondola ride, write to me and I will reimburse you. But promise me you will do it".

Needless to say, we did it, and loved it! What a great memory.

I forgot about the gorgeous glass in Venice! Be sure to buy a wonderful necklace or two, or something. There's still a blue and green vase in a shop there that I should have splurged on, but didn't. I did get a beautiful round paperweight as a gift, and I purchased a necklace and earrings for myself. But that vase...
It's really quite reasonably priced, especially if you look for shops away from the main tourist zones. There are many, many shops and each has different pieces.

Sara,

The gondola ride IS wonderful! However, if you go at night, it is more expensive. I don't know if that was only the gondolier we used, or if they all charge more at night. For our family of 6 (in one gondola), it cost $150 for a ride at night (about 20 minutes). During the day, it would have been about $100.

Have fun!

I wouldn't suggest a gondola ride especially for two single women, I know it's only my personal opinion but I would feel silly doing that. That's why I suggested the vaporetto, which gets you a great view and feel of the Grand Canal cheap and without the fuss.

Now I do like the idea of going shopping for yourself, for a nice piece of jewelry or clothing to commemorate the b-day and Venice trip!!

Thank you everyone for the wonderful suggestions! We haven't quite figured out how long we're going to be in Venice - in fact, we haven't figured out anything about the trip at all except "be in Venice for Julia's birthday"! We do know we want to go to Paris and Florence and we're trying to work on whether to start in Paris or end in Paris.

I've made a note of all the lovely suggestions and am going to pass them on to the birthday girl. I was lucky enough to be in Venice this past April so this will be my second time. This is Julia's first. I can't think of a better way to spend a birthday!

Thanks again!

Sara