We will be in venice for two days in november with our nine year old daughter. What are suggestions that we MUST do and see(educational and historical)<BR>Then what suggestions for fun for all of us(dinner,dancing,shopping,etc...)<BR>She is a fun and energetic traveler that is willing to try new things.<BR>Thanks,<BR>Susan

So much to see and do. I'm sure other Fodorites will tell you more about activities for children. Walk walk walk! First and foremost. Get lost in the streets and neighborhoods. It's an "island" so you can't get off it. Churches: San Marco later in the day to avoid the line; Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (!); Santi Giovanni & Paolo ("Zanipolo") (!); San Zaccharia (with Bellini altarpiece) (!). Rialto market early in the morning to see the vendors and the hustle and bustle; vaporetto ride on Number 82 (fewer stops than Number 1) all down the Grand Canal and then through the Giudecca and up to Piazzale Roma (less interesting) -- try to get a seat in the back. Take elevator to the top of San Giorgio Maggiore for unforgettable views of San Marco -- check opening times at your hotel. Campo San Margharita in Dorsoduro where a lot of students and locals can be found. I don't want to go on and on. Other Fodorites will no doubt have great things to add as well.

Hi Susan<BR>Any basic guidebook for Venice (Fodor's is one) can give you the must-sees, and even suggested itineraries for short visits. Also check out the Venice information elsewhere on this Fodor's website, and also at timeout.com, among many other websites.<BR><BR>A while ago I noticed that amazon.com had a book called "Vendela in Venice" which was popular and about a young girl in Venice, I believe.<BR><BR>I have a file on Venice; if you'd like to see it, email me.

Susan<BR><BR>Get a copy of Elaine's file. I used it this summer and it has everything you need to know.

Besides just walking around and exploring, my kids and I enjoyed the Doges Palace tour.

I second the Doge's Palace, I went there with my niece and she enjoyed it.

For a 9-year-old, I think the most impressive thing will be the fact of the city built on water. I'd make sure she got into a gondola (a traghetto would do just fine if you don't want to splurge for a private ride), as well as onto a vaporetto for a ride on the Grand Canal. If you do take a gondola ride, make sure it includes the little back canals, full of small family rowboats. I'd locate an elementary school (sorry, I don't know where they are) and try to see Venetian kids her age arriving or leaving, to see how they get to school, or back home again. I'd go into San Marco, for the splendid gold interior and the jeweled altar and the view from the roof, and splurge for dessert or coffee in one of the bars on the piazza if the weather is nice. My experience with museums and kids is that they rarely enjoy the paintings or the exhibits, but love the impressive buildings themselves. So, I take them, but don't insist they "do" the whole thing. Have a wonderful trip.