We rented the apartment below for our 3 night visit last December. There were five of us: Husband, daughter, 2 grandsons (15, 13) and me. Furio was terrific to work with and the location was great.

VRBO #182027

MelJ....do you remember the name of the place...cannot find it by vrbo.

Don't know why it won't work, but here's the web site. Forgot to mention that we were on a canal and the gondoliers actually came down it singing, which was nice since we couldn't afford to put the fam on a gondola :)

http://www.allafenice.com/

Andrea, try the www.vrbo.com again and plug in the number 182027. I just did and it came up. It has more pictures than the web site and also lists the prices, which the web site doesn't.

Haven't heard of anyone having a bad meal in Venice, so there are no "must do's" for Food - But I do recommend the Pizzaria AE Ocho. Lots of young male waiters to flirt with yoru daughters, they will like that, but the pizza is truely outstanding. Next, a lunch along the Zatere which overlooks the Giudecca Canal way, in my opinion, a high point of our trip to Venice.

For shopping you should budget several horus for the Rialto Market area, both for food and for touristy shopping, then, also just to the north of the Rialto area, across the Grand Canal is the long Strada Nova, which has lots and lots of shops of every description.

docdan...I love your recommendations. My girls WOULD love the flirty waiters. I watched a video and saw the Rialto Market. Didn't know it was more than veggies & seafood. We will definitely hit it. Is it everyday? My gals will love the Strada Nova. Thx.

MelJ....duh...I must have been 1/2 asleep. Thx again

docdan, now you have heard of someone having a bad meal in Venice. Me, on my first couple of trips!! It is very easy to get very bad food in Venice and pay a lot for it.

Andrealb: It helps to have some places in mind, although you may never find them! With children, just don't wait until everyone is starving to start looking; than can lead to a bad meal.

Forgot to say, don't over look the little places that sell pizza by the slice. They also will have paninnis and will be a good choice for lunch, if you locate one near your apartment.

With only 2 or 3 days in Venice I wouldn't plan on much outside the historic center. The other islands in the lagoon are interesting, but you'll have your hands full seeing what there is in the main part of the city in that short amount of time.

Marty...good tip. You must have kids. If we get past the point when they are just hungry...look out. I'd love any tips re: restaurant musts. I've created lists and lists of suggestions. Keep em coming! :)

Lots of corner bars have pre-made panini and tremezzini (two types of sandwiches) in a display case that are perfect to take out. These types of places actually charge more for table service to have the same sandwich or beverage seated rather than standing.

Maybe you already know this, but cafes and bars in Venice (and other places in Italy as well) have three price schedules.

Price No 1 – lowest – to drink your coffee or whatever standing at the bar. Standing is the operative word.

Price No 2 – middle – to drink your coffee sitting at an indoor table. (Tavola)

Price No 3 – highest, and frequently very high – to drink your coffee outside at a table. (Terrace?)

This can come as a shock, particularly if your children are a bit foot-sore. If you buy a drink at the bar and take it to a table, the staff will get a bit grumpy.

The tiered price level Peter describes is prevalent all over Italy, not just in Venice.

Forgot to say—if you do sit at a table, you will never be hurried out. This is also true at restaurants. Some travelers complain that it takes so long for the waiter to bring the bill. However, an Italian waiter won't bring the bill unless you ask for it.

I will risk crucifixion by many with this post – but children are children.

In Venice, there is a MacDonald’s. From Piazza San Marco, walk under the clock tower, turn right after about 20 yards into Calle Lunga San Marco. Maccas is about 50 yards on your left. Very modest Golden Arches sign.

You can sit down there without risking higher prices.

We stay in this apartment in Venice (have stayed there for some weeks, so it is a considered recommendation. We are staying there again this Christmas – Nov 20th to Jan 19th. Apartment sleeps four, and I note that you are five. But a portable bed might be a possibility – the owner could advise. She lives in San Francisco.

Location is OK, 20 minutes walk to San Marco, ditto to Rialto, and it is easy to find. Kitchen works well, and there’s an outside terrace that is pleasant. Supermarket is close by, plus a pizza place.
I’m not sure that the prices listed on the web site are still correct.
http://realvenicevacationflats.com/

Peter_S_Aus,

The McDonald's near San Marco was shut down last spring when I was there - much to the locals' delight. As I understand it, it had to do with too many complaints over the restaurant not doing much to assist in keeping the streets free of food wrappers in the vicinity.

There another location, on the Strada Nova in Cannaregio, just off the alley from the Ca'd'Oro vaporetto stop.