Can any Venice lovers pass on their opinions on the most picturesque or most interesting canals, big or small in Venice? Also any hints for great photo opportunities, other than the obvious ones?

You will never run out of photo opps in Venice. Trust me.

If you have a chance to climb something, do so - and take photos.

Try to get way off the beaten path - the farthest corners of Venice, not just near the Rialto Bridge or St Mark's.

Simply wander. You can't help but fall over picturesque canals. Actually, you can't avoid them.

Photo ops? Keep you camera ready. Again, you can't avoid them.

I agree with flygirl and tyscanlifeedit--wander here and there and to the farther corners of the city. Stop occasionally for coffee or a glass of wine.

You can just about stand in one place and turn in a circle and every view will be picturesque. One favorite area for me is the Cannaregio East of the Ghetto area. It isn't as pretty, but is really interesting and beautiful because clothes lines are strung from house to house across the canals and, when they are filled with clothes, it looks like lots of flags flying in the wind. They are some of my favorite photos from Venice. Of course, groups of gondolas anyplace are romantic and beautiful.

Go out early.
I love the light that casts over everything early in the morning in Venice. It is fun watching the boats being unloaded.

I have stayed in Doroduro, San Polo, and Cannareggio.
All is just as beautiful. The Guetto area as mentioned above is really cool.

I especially love Campo Margherita.
There is a bar the called DuChamps. Go for Spritz Apperol.
A typical Venice drink. The serve it with a bowl of potato chips. Unique and wonderful.

Venice! Lose yourself in the echoing streets. Hop a vaporetto and explore the Lagoon islands. Wander beside peaceful canals lined with brightly colored houses. If the weather is fine, pay your respects to the Adriatic from a beach on Lido. And whatever else you do, make time to simply sit and watch the passing scene. Take tea by a canal. Then cross the Lagoon as the late afternoon sun sets the sky afire behind the domes and campanile of Venice.

I once spent a week there focused on photography. If you'd like to see some of my images, here's a link: http://www.jmstudio.fotopic.net/c1636029.html

You have to find the one bridge in Venice that has no parapet. In the back blocks of Cannaregio. Not picturesque, but fun.

Julia, your work is fabulous in Venice. What time of day did you shoot at Burano--I love those reflection shots?

Julia, your work is fabulous in Venice. What time of day did you shoot at Burano--I love those reflection shots?

Julia,

fabulous darling....

Bob and Jetsetj, many thanks. I shot Burano in the morning. Most of the reflection shots in Venice proper were late afternoon.

Julia, thanks for the photos, they are absolutely stunning. You have inspired me with those reflection shots. I am looking forward to getting out really early one morning, it is wonderful to see a city waking up. Taking in the passsing parade over a prosecco or two at Campo Marghareta will definitely be on my agenda.

I agree that every inch of Venice is picturesque!

The little area beside the Hotel Riva, at Ponte dell’Angelo, is especially cute, because two small canals intersect there with several charming arched bridges, and singing gondoliers use this route.

We must swing by that spot as I was tossing up staying at Hotel Riva but decided upon Hotel Galleria. I hope Ive made the right decision.

We stayed three nights at Hotel Riva, in a corner room that overlooked these two little canals. I was there on Mother's Day, when a gondolier sang Ave Marie right under our window-- a peak moment for sure!

It's a nice little one-star hotel. Very clean and well-kept. No elevator, though. Your hotel will probably be fine, too, if you've checked it out.

Enjoy Venice!