Top Venice experiences
 

Hello everyone!
We're going to Venice for 3 days this Saturday, so apart from the obvious must see's (st Marks Square, Rialto bridge etc) i would really love to hear about your best experience or must see/do's... Whether it's a restaurant to eat, a bar to have a drink or two, a special museum or quartier to wander around..
I'm looking forward to your recommendations!!

IMO, the best experiences are often those you don't plan. My favorite memory of Venice is just walking the little alleyways in the evening and getting away from the tourist spots. We happened upon a little bar, ordered a couple glasses of wine and sat outside on the steps of the bridge nearby. As the evening went on, the bar became pretty full of locals, all joining us on the bridge to relax.

I also really enjoyed walking around Venice at sunrise. We went to St. Marks to take pictures and there was no one around! We watched the delivery boats unloading along the canal, the shops opening up and the city come to life - all before breakfast. :)

Enjoy your trip! Venice is magical.

I'm a big fan of a drink on the floating dock at the Westin Europa Regina with views across the Grand Canal to the Santa Maria della Salute church. Especially good at cocktail time around 6 p.m. when the gondolas queue up and they sing Santa Lucia. Hokey but romantic.

I suggest a vaporetta ride along the Grand Canal - preferably at high tide - it is amazing to see how much Venice is sinking and to see the water lapping into the ground floors of the old palazzos. Also a ride out to one of the islands - Murano, Burano, Torcello - the best part is the return to Venice and seeing it from a distance over the lagoon. You might also want to go out to the Zattarere / Guidecca - there are several floating restaurants out there where you can eat "on the water" and watch all the ships going by. Enjoy!

I found it fun to cross the Grand Canal on a traghetto, a type of gondola that ferries passengers across the canal at set points for a very small fee. It is traditional to ride standing up, but sitting is allowed.

A few fun outings should include..

Try the drink Spritz Aperol (sp) at DuChamps.
It is in Campo Santa Margherita. I love this area.
There is a great little supermarket right around the corner.

Try Ombre y cicheti (wine and snacks) at Cantina do Mori.

Get up real early as others have said and wander..wander.. and wander....

ooo - what a difficult task.

personally i love starting at the rialto market early in the morning, then heading to the area around the frari - pop into the scuola san rocco to look at the tinterettos on the ceiling, peek into the frari to see the monstrous monuments, then wander down to the zattere dropping into any bars you fancy for an "ombra" [glass of wine] or spritz, and finally lunch in the sun on the zattere, watching the world go by.

regards, ann

Last year i took in one day of Carnivale - and it ranks amongst my very best travel memories in 4 decades of such

Folk in traditional elaborate garb with masks everywhere - i was stunned how great it were. Troubadors too.

Not certain if it's available in March weather but the "battle of the bands" in Piazza San Marco at night is a singularly special moment. I made my husband go back for a second trip to Venice just for that experience - and everything else the city has to offer.

The sagest advice I can give you is this: Venice is a completely different city when you get off the San Marco- Rialto - Train station axis.

On the above route, you will be squeezed in with 1000s of tourists. Gerbil wheel. Chicken run. You get the picture.

Get off that route and enjoy yourself.

PS: If I had only one bldg to visit in Venice it would be the Doge's palace. Huge, opulent, varied and unforgettable -- and uncrowded, when I was last there.

I agree with tedgale. Even though I loved the San Marco area (and the Doge's Palace), we had so much fun in the other sections of Venice. Just wandering around and enjoying what we found at the moment - churches, art, wine bars, small restaurants, sidewalk soccer games - it was all great. And no crowds.

And I agree with Nikki - cross the Grand Canal on a traghetto. But do it standing up - lots of fun. The cost is 50 cents.

Didn't see any museum, palace, house, or church listings, so I'll suggest some:

-Basilica di San Marco
-Campanile di San Marco
-Ducal Palace and Bridge of Sighs
-Peggy Guggenheim Collection
-Galleria dell'Accademia
-Church of the Frari
-Scuola Grande di San Rocco
-Museo Civico Correr
-Ca' Rezzonico
-Ca' d'Oro

But if you do nothing else, wander! Getting lost in a long walk is great in Venice.

Go inside the basilica when its mosaics are lit up (around 11:30am-noon)

I never go to Venice without catching a concert. Some of them have been memorable, e.g

http://fodors.com/forums/pgMessages....sica+a+palazzo

Steve

Are you into classical music?

If so, a MUST SEE is a live performance of <b>Vivaldi's "Four Seasons"</b> (or quattro stagioni). Vivaldi is from Venice, so it's like a "when in Rome" kind of thing.

I found a link online... looks like a church offers the show at 8:45 p.m. on Sunday March 1. Here is a link. http://eventful.com/venice/events/en...01-018696319-8

One of the churches we saw this at was La Quiesa di Vivaldi Don't ask me where it was... I only found it by stumbling upon it. Whatever it costs to see the show is worth it. The music was very emotional, and I have never heard anything so beautiful.

Also, eat a lot of gelato. It tastes nothing like it in the US... believe me, I've tried to find it.

Have a wonderful time. It is a good time to go -- it's miserably hot in the summer!

pull4you - Still miserably hot in mid-September?

Seeing Venice at dusk and sunrise can't be beat... walk, walk, walk but also taking the vaporetto to Murano is a must. On Murano, eat in Busa alla Torre (before 3:30) And yes, eat as much gelato as you can, preferable at Gelateria Nico on the Zattere in Dorsoduro.

Take the #82 vaporetto across to the island of San Giorgio Maggiore and ride the elevator to the top of the church for spectacular views of Venice.

Go early to St. Mark's Square, when it's only you and the vendors setting up and the pigeons.

Eat at Alle Testiere, a tiny place with wonderful fish.

Thanks so much for all the wonderful suggestions so far!!

Do you recommend Murano or Burano (or both)?
I'm not very keen on spending all day outside Venice though.

Also i think it would be lovely to attend a classical concert. Thanks for the suggestions! Do you know what is the dress code there? This is our first trip where we'll try to take only carry-ons so we we won't have much space for suits and formal dressing!

Firstly, buy a good map of Venice.

My favorite place is the Frari at opening time 10:00AM?? Vap Stop = St Toma
Afterwards, the Scuola San Rocco, just behing the Frari.

There is a very nice sidewalk cafe names "Chaik" back at Campo San Toma. As you are looking at the church, turn left and walk around to the smaller campo just to the left of the church. Good inexpensive lunch, you get to see the locals walking by, and, if you head towards the Grand Canal, behind the restaurant, you can take the bargin-priced fifty-cent gondola ride back to San Marco Siestiere (don't sit, stand like the Venetians do).

Back on the San March side, you can easily find San Setefano, with a wealth of Venetian paintings in the Sacracy (entrance right transept).

PS, most people leaving Venice are either (a) disappointed, or (b) be planning their next trip back.

Enjoy



Following youe obligatory stop at the Rialto, work your way north and west (on the San Marco side of the bridge), following the map carefully, find the church of Santa Maria di Miracoli, one of the most breathtaking (and smallest) churches in a city of churches. just a hop skip and jump east is Saints Giovanni E Palolo, the burial place od most of Venices Dodges and also the location of a very lively campo.

For the best eperience in Venice, try to stay away from San Marco Siestiere and spend most of your time in the other five Siestiere.

Yes, try both. Absolutely different. Gorgeous glass on Murano. Burano is charming! And has the lovliest lace. Enjoy it all. Venice is such a wonderfully fascinating destination, so much to see, delights around every corner, along every allyway!

if you are planning on visiting the Dodge's Palace in the morning (opens at 9:00 AM). Don't get into the very long line to buy a ticket, instead go to the Correr Museum, opposite end of Piazza San marco, on the second floor, and buy a ticket there. Return to the Dodges Paalace and walk to the frot of the line.

Additionally, if you Google San Marco, you can find their web site where you can print out a reserved ticket for Basilica San Marco, which allows you to skip the line there.

Dress code for Basilica (strictly enforced), no mini-skirts, shorts, halter tops or bare shoulders, no open toe sandals.

Regards,

Climb the Campanile di San Giorgio Maggiore (a small island you can both see and reach from a vaporetto stop near St. Mark's Square. You will see this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/skywalkerbeth/703949401/

Yes, there is an elevator! :)

Next, write this down:

Sgroppino.

You should ask for this after every meal in each restaurant. However, the best one may be found at Taverna San Trovaso.

ps. Mom and I went into pretty much every church that was open. I'd suggest that, as well.

Also, if you have time, read "Miss Garnet's Angel" before you go. It is not so terribly far from Taverna San Trovaso - a nice walk and a way to explore some of the off-the beaten path areas of Venice (as much as you can say that about Venice, anyway).

http://www.salleyvickers.com/miss_garnets_angel.htm

We attended a concert and there was no dress code that I was aware of. It was chilly out (November). No one was "dressed up" - meaning in formal attire. Just no mini-skirts, etc as Edwards_RJ mentioned. I think we both wore nice jeans and tops.

We went to Burano for just a few hours. It's a beautiful, charming place, but also a small island. The lace museum wasn't open when we were there, so might have stayed longer if we could have visited that. It was on my "must see" list and I was thrilled with the place, but didn't feel the urge to stay longer.

Hope you have a wonderful time!

One of my all time favorite moments in Venice (aside from renewing my vows with my husband on a gonodola) was sitting at Osteria Bancogiro enojoying wine and cheese in the evening while watching the gondolas slowly glide by on the Grand Canal. But get there a bit early if you can before all the tables are taken. Osteria Bancogiro is noted as a favorite in the destination guide here.

hi again,

you don't have to take all day going to the islands, though i don't think you would regret it if you did. on our last trip we went twice - the first time to Burano where we had lunch then stopped off on Murano on the way back, and then teh 2nd time, we went to Torcello, had lunch [spot a theme here?] and then back to Burano for tea. if you click on my name, you'll find my trip report from our week in Venice last easter. " we went to Venice and we saw.."

have a great trip,

regards, ann

GET LOST. it's the best in Venice. best way to discover & enjoy the ambiance. especially evening when everyone is strolling, stopping as they desire for little cichettas (sp?) & spritz (prosecco w/aperol) at small bars & cafes. just walk & walk & walk, then take a vaporetto or two, and walk some more...

The best way to visit the DOGES (not Dodges) PALACE is to reserve a spot on the "SECRET ITINERARIES" Tour. This is one of the most fascinating things to do in Venice--it will take you into the secret recesses of the Doges Palace (and prison)and you'll learn the story of Casanova and how he was one of only 4 people to ever escape from there. You should make advance arrangements, if possible, or go there immediately upon arrival to arrange this tour, as it's not offered all the time, or even every day. Then plan the rest of your wanderings around this tour. After the "Secret Itineraries" tour, you can wander around the public parts of the Doges Palace with the other tourists and not have to pay an additional admission.

The other thing I recommend is to walk by the gondola repair and manufacturing site--it's out in the open, on the same island as the Accademia and the Peggy Guggenheim museum. I came across it accidentally, but your hotel concierge should be able to mark it on a map for you.

There is a non-touristy side of Venice that's wonderful. I also would try to see an opera or a concert at the Teatro Fenice. Vivaldi's church is near the Doges Palace, on the Riva della Schiavoni (along the Grand Canal). If you can catch a concert there, it's a beautiful venue. Enjoy!

It's almost a cliche to say this, but getting deliberately lost on foot in Venice (as chefkate and others have suggested) is one of the premier experiences that one should not miss.

Not just in the context of Venice; not just in the context of European travel...I'm saying it's one of the premier experiences of life itself.

But that's just me. Your mileage may vary.

I agree with chefkate and others who have said the same thing: take enough time to GET LOST IN VENICE; this is the best experience of all.
Anyway, my favourite "sestieri" are Cannaregio and Dorsoduro. The most quiet area in Venice is probably the Giudecca island.

You have got to check out the guggenheim museum. It is wonderful. There are also some great shops right behind St. Mark's Square. I bought a nice leather purse there and some nice silver jewelry.

Thanks everyone for your support, you're the best!!


pret auto

I'm an early riser and thoroughly enjoyed just watching all the "work" boats early each morning.

I liked how they dealt with garbage (garbage boats similar to our garbage trucks stateside).

Rick

My favorite thing to do in Venice is to visit the fish market in Rialto in the early morning.

This is my favorite thing to see in Venice, the gondola boatyard:

http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/gui...on-detail.html

#1 vaporetto to the Rialto bridge, early morning wandering the fish and fruit/veggie markets, then lunch at Trattoria Antiche Carampane, San Polo, 1911. A wonderful seafood restaurant where I had the most delicious fritto misto.

Enjoy....

Spend one day doing boat rides to the islands. Go to Murano and buy yourself a little glass souvenir. Go to St Michaels - the cemetery island and get the surprise of your life!

Roger

http://www.fermedecandeloup.fr