We have just one day in Venice. Can anyone tell me about the American Express tour that includes a gondola ride. What is the price of the tour? Do they have a web site? Thanks.

Only one day? Stay home; don't bother.

That's not nice, Stephano. <BR> <BR>If you only have one day, you can still see a lot. I don't know about the Am. Ex. tour—I've seen posts both positive and negative. Be sure to give yourself time to just wander through the city. My favorite memory of Venice was wandering through streets and over bridges until I was good and lost. Then I would dig my "Venice" map out of my backpack and figure out where I was. I circled the spot on the map, stuck the map back in the backpack, and wandered again until I got lost! <BR> <BR>Have a good trip.

If I had only one day, I would skip the group thing and just wander, or choose one preferred site and meander over that way, not forgetting having an overpriced drink at one of the outdoor cafes in St Mark's Square. Venice is an experience that is more than the sum of its famous sights, in my opinion.

Don't, as Stephano says, stay home. Cut something else back to get yourself a second night in Venice. <BR> <BR>I've day tripped, "single night-ed" and "multi-nighted" in Venice. Venice is a dangerous courtesan that makes you work (to get there) for the pleasure. <BR> <BR>A day trip is a kiss. <BR> <BR>One night is "getting to first base". <BR> <BR>More than that is the real thing. <BR> <BR>With or without the American Express thing. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex

Well said, Rex!

I do hope you find a way to spend more than one day in Venice. . .in the meantime, I'll answer your question. <BR> <BR>We took the American Express afternoon tour that includes the gondola ride two years ago. I saw our tour guide in the afternoon when I was in Venice about a month ago, so I am assuming it still happens. We loved the tour, found it highly informative, you go to the Frari and the guide covered alot of Venetian history as well as her perspective on what it is like to live in a place with no cars and floods. At that time it was no more than $25/person. I remember looking for a web site at the time and not finding one. You just go to the American Express office (it is just off Piazza San Marco) and buy a ticket for the afternoon. If you truly end up with only one day, you could see the Basilica first thing, go to the Palazzo Ducale (do rent the audio tour), have lunch, do the Amex tour, then wander and have dinner. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps. <BR> <BR>Mary

When you arrive (by train or car) go the info desk in the train station and get a good map. Enjoy a great tour of the Grand Canal by taking ferry boat #1 to San Marco square. On arrival at San Marco, take the Doge's Palace tour and then walk to Rialto Bridge. Shop on and around the bridge and have lunch nearby on the Grand Canal. Walk back to San Marco and take the American Express gondola tour. When finished, have a drink at the Quadri Cafe on San Marco while you listen to the music. Have dinner in the terrace restaurant at the Danieli Hotel - expensive but a fantastic view of the lagoon. Then finish off the evening with a drink at the romantic Florian Cafe on San Marco. Enjoy! <BR> <BR>Rod Hoots <BR>Arlington, Virginia <BR>

Even one day in Venice is worth the trip, the experience is just not describable. I know a great tour guide <BR>that lives in Venice and if you would <BR>like further information just e-mail <BR>me. She could show you the things you <BR>would be interested in and recommend <BR>other things like see Murano. Have <BR>fun.

You can get a great overview of Venice in a day-then go back for more if you like it and see the things you want. <BR>Just walk around and look and do a gondala ride at dusk. Get a good guidebook and a map-you'll have a ball. <BR>On your next trip you can go in some places but this time overview all!