Hi y'all,
A question on behalf of my lucky sister who will be in Venice in August. She wants to know if there are tours of the palaces along the Grand Canal. Got any suggestions?

Ca Rezzonico, near the Campo San Barnaba.

I think most of the palaces are either private residences or owned by corporations, foundations, etc. and thus not many are open. One mentioned above certainly is one of the finest. I'm hoping to hear that more are open.

Holly,
How would she go about it (hours, tickets, etc.)?

I don't know offhand what the hours are, but it would be easy enough to find out. She could check with the tourist information center at San Marco, or ask her hotelier, or just stop by ahead of time and look at the sign. Tickets (around 6 or 8 E., I think) are bought at the ticket window at the palazzo. I don't think they have guided tours, it's more a walk around yourself type of place. It's a delightful way to spend an hour or two. And there's a cafeteria type place on the main floor, as well as rest rooms.

The Ca Rezzonico is actually a museum of 18th-century Venetian art in addition to being one of the larger and more splendid palazzi on the Grand Canal. There are ceiling frescoes and some furniture pieces in addition to two wonderful paintings by Francesco Guardi and a whole series of delightful genre paintings by Pietro Longhi. Some interesting frescoes by Giandomenico Tiepolo have been transfered from a villa on the mainland to the Ca Rezzonico. There's also a marionette theatre and a reconstructed 18th-century pharmacy.

And the poet Robert Browning died in the Ca Rezzonico.

Ca'Rezzonico is fabulous. You get a peek of how the wealthy Venetians lived in the 18th Century- We were there last week and there were not too many tourists.

Ca Rezzonica is right at the Ca Rezzonica vaporetto stop. Just go a few steps to right and go up the steps to the palace. There are no tours but all the rooms have the laminated boards with information about the rooms. The palace is exquisite. There is a Murano glass chandelier that is one of the largest made. It is a marvel. The uppermost floor has an amazing collection of art which was gathered by a painting restorer. All types and genres. One of my favorite Venice experiences.

Thanks so much for all your help. I'm sure she'll love Ca Rezzonico!