Venice Itinerary
Jun 22nd, 2014, 06:05 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Venice Itinerary
When we originally created our itinerary we had 3.5 days/3 nights in Venice. After shuffling of plans we only ended up with 1 evening, 1 full day, 1 morning/afternoon ending at approx 3:00 PM. So now our itinerary is crammed and we are trying to decide what to remove + reshuffle.
We don't have any plans for the very first evening other than wandering around and going to Caffe Florian. We figured we'd go to Rialto Bridge and then walk to San Marco, but it was recommended to take a vaporetto instead for nice evening views of architecture.
Our second day is where plans that were originally split into two days merged (few were removed).
- Doge's Palace (Secret Itineraries Tour)
- St. Mark's Basilica
- Torre dell'Orologio
- Campanile
- Bridge of Sighs
- San Zaccaria
On our last day we will take a 20 min Gondola ride. Not sure where specifically. But we were thinking of doing it in Cannaregio and then taking a vaporetto and then going to San Rocco. We plan to leave our hotel around 3:30 to head to the station.
What are some of your favourite areas to take a gondola ride in?
We don't have any plans for the very first evening other than wandering around and going to Caffe Florian. We figured we'd go to Rialto Bridge and then walk to San Marco, but it was recommended to take a vaporetto instead for nice evening views of architecture.
Our second day is where plans that were originally split into two days merged (few were removed).
- Doge's Palace (Secret Itineraries Tour)
- St. Mark's Basilica
- Torre dell'Orologio
- Campanile
- Bridge of Sighs
- San Zaccaria
On our last day we will take a 20 min Gondola ride. Not sure where specifically. But we were thinking of doing it in Cannaregio and then taking a vaporetto and then going to San Rocco. We plan to leave our hotel around 3:30 to head to the station.
What are some of your favourite areas to take a gondola ride in?
Jun 22nd, 2014, 07:24 PM
#4
You need reservations to tour the Clock Tower. English tours are only Monday-Wednesday 10-11a and Thursday-Sunday 2-3p, and you need to arrive a few minutes early.
Do you want to plan your day around this tour??
Do you want to plan your day around this tour??
Jun 22nd, 2014, 08:23 PM
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, we have Torre dell'Orologio in the spreadsheet for 2:00 PM, and the Secret Itineraries tour for 9:55 AM. From ~11:30ish - 2:00PM would be St. Mark's Basilica and having something quick to eat. Campanile is just the lift for the view, so we don't know if this would be done before or after Torre dell'Orologio, probably after. And then walk over to Bridge of Sighs and then San Zaccaria.
My travel companion is not keen on touring the Clock Tower and just wants to take pictures from the outside. So please let me know if it's worth to tour it if we're also going to the campanile.
Both of us would actually prefer to spend time in Ca Rezzonico than San Zaccaria, but we chose the latter based more on convenience, so please advise if we should try to go to Ca Rezzonico instead or how we can fit that in somewhere (maybe more possible if we skip the Clock Tower tour).
My travel companion is not keen on touring the Clock Tower and just wants to take pictures from the outside. So please let me know if it's worth to tour it if we're also going to the campanile.
Both of us would actually prefer to spend time in Ca Rezzonico than San Zaccaria, but we chose the latter based more on convenience, so please advise if we should try to go to Ca Rezzonico instead or how we can fit that in somewhere (maybe more possible if we skip the Clock Tower tour).
Jun 23rd, 2014, 04:46 AM
#10
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The OP mentioned the Rialto Bridge for the arrival evening. I'm sure they mean to take a photo of the Bridge of Sighs from the outside as well as visit as part of the tour of the Doge's Palace.
The Torre dell'Orologio and Campanile are two different experiences.
Torre dell'Orologio - Visitors have a small group tour by appointment no more than a dozen people) of the tower--no waiting in line--climbing to each level to see the actual clock mechanisms and leaning about the timekeeper and family that actually lived in the tower in the midst of all the gears and clanging. There is no elevator but the guide stops at each floor, so the climb is in segments. Eventually visitors are on the roof, right next to the statues and bell, with a view across the rooftops, facing the basilica, and Piazza San Marco. The tour lasts less than an hour so the group will be out of the tower when the clock next chimes.
Campanile - Visitors might have to wait in line, sometimes a long one depending on the time of year, to purchase a ticket to ride the elevator to the top of the bell tower. This is much higher than the rooftops, so one has a reasonable view of looking down at the piazza, but an impressive view across the island and lagoon to other islands of Venice. Since visitors are right beneath the massive bells, when the hour strikes, the sound can be deafening and magnificent. You can stay as long as you like, but there is no way to predict how long the line to get in will be.
I finally visited Ca Rezzonico after many visits to Venice and was not that impressed. for me, with such a tight schedule, I would probably not go out of my way to see it.
LR220, Where is your hotel? We might make other nearby suggestions if we knew.
The Torre dell'Orologio and Campanile are two different experiences.
Torre dell'Orologio - Visitors have a small group tour by appointment no more than a dozen people) of the tower--no waiting in line--climbing to each level to see the actual clock mechanisms and leaning about the timekeeper and family that actually lived in the tower in the midst of all the gears and clanging. There is no elevator but the guide stops at each floor, so the climb is in segments. Eventually visitors are on the roof, right next to the statues and bell, with a view across the rooftops, facing the basilica, and Piazza San Marco. The tour lasts less than an hour so the group will be out of the tower when the clock next chimes.
Campanile - Visitors might have to wait in line, sometimes a long one depending on the time of year, to purchase a ticket to ride the elevator to the top of the bell tower. This is much higher than the rooftops, so one has a reasonable view of looking down at the piazza, but an impressive view across the island and lagoon to other islands of Venice. Since visitors are right beneath the massive bells, when the hour strikes, the sound can be deafening and magnificent. You can stay as long as you like, but there is no way to predict how long the line to get in will be.
I finally visited Ca Rezzonico after many visits to Venice and was not that impressed. for me, with such a tight schedule, I would probably not go out of my way to see it.
LR220, Where is your hotel? We might make other nearby suggestions if we knew.
Jun 23rd, 2014, 05:43 AM
#11
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Visit the Rialto Bridge in the morning so you can visit the Rialto Market aat the same time. I beilieve it is open every day but Monday. I love markets and it is surely one of the top 2 or 3 we have visited anywhere in the world.
Jun 23rd, 2014, 08:33 AM
#12
Absolutely disagree about skipping Ca'
Rezzonico!!
This palazzo is a treasure with its painted ceilings by Tiepolo, important paintings by Guardi and Canaletto, and small portraits of 18th-century patrician life by Pietro Longhi.
There is an unbelievable bedroom and nursery on display with the most beautiful painted boiserie and Madame's toilette articles of silver and mother-of-pearl.
On the top floor you can view an actual
apothecary.
Rezzonico!!
This palazzo is a treasure with its painted ceilings by Tiepolo, important paintings by Guardi and Canaletto, and small portraits of 18th-century patrician life by Pietro Longhi.
There is an unbelievable bedroom and nursery on display with the most beautiful painted boiserie and Madame's toilette articles of silver and mother-of-pearl.
On the top floor you can view an actual
apothecary.
Jun 23rd, 2014, 08:53 AM
#14
We enjoyed Ca' Rezzonico a lot, but it all comes down to priorities (and interests) for the OP's limited time. I also enjoyed Peggy Guggenheim's palazzo, but I know that doesn't appeal to everyone.
Although the Bridge of Sighs is part of the Doge's Palace, most people want to take the iconic picture while standing on Riva degli Schiavoni.
FWIW, I think the Clock Tower tour is more interesting than going to the top of the Campanile. The view of the strikers at the top of the clock are better from the top of the Campanile than from piazza level, especially if you're watching while the strikers are moving.
LR220, good luck with that spreadsheet. I'm too easily distracted to follow a timetable. Reservations do tend to keep us moving along, but then I feel like I don't have time for the unexpected experience.
Although the Bridge of Sighs is part of the Doge's Palace, most people want to take the iconic picture while standing on Riva degli Schiavoni.
FWIW, I think the Clock Tower tour is more interesting than going to the top of the Campanile. The view of the strikers at the top of the clock are better from the top of the Campanile than from piazza level, especially if you're watching while the strikers are moving.
LR220, good luck with that spreadsheet. I'm too easily distracted to follow a timetable. Reservations do tend to keep us moving along, but then I feel like I don't have time for the unexpected experience.
Jun 23rd, 2014, 09:23 AM
#15
Well, Peggy Guggenheim is my #1 place in Venice, but if you know nothing about Jackson Pollock, Chagall, or Joseph Cornell I would skip it.
And I would rather sit in a cafe in Campo Santa Maria Formosa than at Florian.
I only like Piazza San Marco early in the morning before the tsunami of tourists arrive.
Go to Madonna dell'Orto and you will have the church and Campo dei Mori all to yourself.
Thin
And I would rather sit in a cafe in Campo Santa Maria Formosa than at Florian.
I only like Piazza San Marco early in the morning before the tsunami of tourists arrive.
Go to Madonna dell'Orto and you will have the church and Campo dei Mori all to yourself.
Thin
Jun 23rd, 2014, 11:07 AM
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
cathies, we also wanted the photo of the Bridge of Sighs, so that's what I meant by it. As Jean said, we'd be taking the photo from the Riva degli Schiavoni on our way to San Zaccaria. But even if we skip this, I'm sure we will pass this when going out for a evening drink.
kleeblatt, wow I love it! But unfortunately this would have to be left for another trip, hopefully when I can afford a longer stay in Venice.
ellenem, thank you for all the information! Would it be possible for us to go to the Campanile early to get in at 9:00 AM and still make the Secret Itineraries tour at 9:55? We would probably stay around 30 mins depending on whether we manage to get in at 9:00 or not.
Our hotel is Albergo San Samuele. It's about a 13 minute walk to Ca' Rezzonico, which is why we thought it could be possible. And we don't mind walking around a lot and exploring the city as much as possible, so it's not that important for us to have everything confined to 1 area per day, but also at the same time, we want enough time to see the sites without being rushed and the closing times/lines/etc factor in.
mamcalice, I would love to! Maybe we would be able to fit that in on our second morning, but I don't know if my travel companion would be enthusiastic about it. She's a vegetarian and makes a big deal about being around raw fish so she might end up freaking out everytime she comes across those stalls.
Thank you Pepper_von_snoot! I hope we manage to fit that in for the day. We will make plans to visit Santa Maria dei Miracoli as well, but only do so if we find there is some extra time on one of the days. We aren't too keen on Peggy Guggenheim and that was something we removed from the list. Florian is my TC's 3rd priority out of everything in Venice, so there's no skipping that.
Thanks Jean! I hope we can fit in both. I'm actually trying NOT to make it a trip where we feel we are rushed, but we do prefer fast travel and always having something to do so the spreadsheet is more of a guideline where we will have reservations put in, but also places of interest in between so there won't be moments of "what should we do now?" that can sometimes lead to conflict IME. I once had a fairly empty itinerary (minus a music festival) when I went to NYC with another TC. I had been several times before and visited every tourist site imaginable, but she had never been and done no research only knowing "Central Park". Every suggestion I made was "too touristy/too crowded/too boring/too expensive". Not sure if it was one of those cases where a personality/place mismatch or just high expectations from an inexperienced traveler, but I've found that the spreadsheet helps when traveling in pairs (even small groups of 3-4) or with family so all parties know what they're getting themselves into and can really chalk out an itinerary where they see their priorities as well as budget appropriately.
kleeblatt, wow I love it! But unfortunately this would have to be left for another trip, hopefully when I can afford a longer stay in Venice.
ellenem, thank you for all the information! Would it be possible for us to go to the Campanile early to get in at 9:00 AM and still make the Secret Itineraries tour at 9:55? We would probably stay around 30 mins depending on whether we manage to get in at 9:00 or not.
Our hotel is Albergo San Samuele. It's about a 13 minute walk to Ca' Rezzonico, which is why we thought it could be possible. And we don't mind walking around a lot and exploring the city as much as possible, so it's not that important for us to have everything confined to 1 area per day, but also at the same time, we want enough time to see the sites without being rushed and the closing times/lines/etc factor in.
mamcalice, I would love to! Maybe we would be able to fit that in on our second morning, but I don't know if my travel companion would be enthusiastic about it. She's a vegetarian and makes a big deal about being around raw fish so she might end up freaking out everytime she comes across those stalls.
Thank you Pepper_von_snoot! I hope we manage to fit that in for the day. We will make plans to visit Santa Maria dei Miracoli as well, but only do so if we find there is some extra time on one of the days. We aren't too keen on Peggy Guggenheim and that was something we removed from the list. Florian is my TC's 3rd priority out of everything in Venice, so there's no skipping that.
Thanks Jean! I hope we can fit in both. I'm actually trying NOT to make it a trip where we feel we are rushed, but we do prefer fast travel and always having something to do so the spreadsheet is more of a guideline where we will have reservations put in, but also places of interest in between so there won't be moments of "what should we do now?" that can sometimes lead to conflict IME. I once had a fairly empty itinerary (minus a music festival) when I went to NYC with another TC. I had been several times before and visited every tourist site imaginable, but she had never been and done no research only knowing "Central Park". Every suggestion I made was "too touristy/too crowded/too boring/too expensive". Not sure if it was one of those cases where a personality/place mismatch or just high expectations from an inexperienced traveler, but I've found that the spreadsheet helps when traveling in pairs (even small groups of 3-4) or with family so all parties know what they're getting themselves into and can really chalk out an itinerary where they see their priorities as well as budget appropriately.
Jun 23rd, 2014, 02:37 PM
#18
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The campanile can be a quick visit if there is no line. You won't know for sure how quickly you can visit until you are there and see the number of people waiting, but I expect an early arrival time would help. I've walked right in my last two times, but those trips were in late November and early March.
Jun 23rd, 2014, 03:52 PM
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah, I mean I have no idea how accurate the distances on the maps are, but it's 1 km across the Grand Canal. My university from my condo is 2 km and it's a 20 min walk everyday. Granted I walk at a faster pace and would walk more leisurely when in Venice, so 20 minutes at most. And we are pretty active too so we are up for walking anywhere we reasonably can. Hopefully we won't get really lost but we will use a phone to guide us.
Would we be able to fit this in our last day then if it's unreasonable for the 2nd day?
Would we be able to fit this in our last day then if it's unreasonable for the 2nd day?
