Venice Itinerary - Any Feedback?
 

Hi Everyone - I am going to Venice in Sept and could really use some help on my itinerary. I have such a limited time there and I want to catch the main attractions while still leaving myself plenty of time to explore the windy streets, canals and cafes. Can you let me know if I am doing too much in the time that I am there? My Friday schedule in particular seems a little packed as of right now, but maybe some of these things don't take too long to see. Also, any feedback on things I might want to cut out of the itinerary to leave more time for exploring would be appreciated. Thanks!!

Thurs -
Arrive at 9:55AM
Piazza San Marco, Basilica, Palazzo Ducale Gallerie dell'Academia
Campanile
Gondola Ride at Night

Fri:
Rialto Bridge (market in the AM)
Campo San Polo
Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
Scuola Grande di San Roco
Ca Rezzonica
Ca d'Oro
Take Grand Canal ferry from Zattere to San Marco

Sat:
Explore! Catch Train at 4:32 to Florence

P.S. One more thing - I haven't included a trip to the Guggenheim in my plans. Should I?? I just don't want to spend all of my time in museums when the streets themselves are a sight to see!! Also, any advice on the best areas in which to wander and explore on my last day would be great!! Thanks everyone!

Imavolio, your plan sounds good to me. Yes, definitely leave time to just wander and explore the campos, alleys and bridges of beautiful Venice.

If you have time, the Guggenheim is interesting, as well. It can be a nice break from the Rennaisance art.

Only one suggestion: Taking the Grand Canal vaporetto from Zattere to San Marco will take you all around the "back end" of Venice and to such places as the Tronchetto, which is basically a large, multi-story parking lot. And it will take a lot of time.

A ride from the Ca d'Oro to San Marco will show you most of the Grand Canal. If you really want to see ALL of it, take the vaporetto as far as the railway station (Ferrovia), get off, and take the next vaporetto heading back in the direction of San Marco. This is perfectly legal, as NYCFood Snob, who knows Venice well, pointed out in a previous post (quoting from the Web site of the Venice transportation system):

"Grand Canal Ticket € 5.00. This ticket is valid only for the Grand Canal route. It is valid for 90 minutes and more than a trip is allowed in this period."

Do you think I should cut out some of these museums to leave more time for general Venice wandering? Also, which neighborhood in Venice is the best to explore on foot - i.e, quaint side canals and streets, scenic local cafes, quaint specialty shops?? I could be describing all of Venice here, but I've never been which is why I am posting this! Thanks...

Yes, I do think you should spend more time just wandering. I just returned from my second trip to Venice in two years, each time I stayed 3 days. This time I had planned to do more "sights" but when it came time I just wanted to wander around. That is what is so wonderful in Venice. I'm sure the museums are great but unless you are a real art lover with a strong need to see every museum then consider the fact that Venice itself is a kind of living museum and as such deserves to be explored. And explored well and slowly - not just rushing from one museum or sight to the next.

I would buy a 24 hour vaparetto pass and plan to take a couple of rides on the grand canal - at different times of day. Early morning, sunset and after dark are all different experiences. As mentioned above, it's kind of boring to go around the "back" of Venice so plan on going back and forth from San Marco to the train station area. Of course if you do have time and want a longer ride you can visit one of the islands. Burano is full of brightly painted houses and is a great place to get a slightly different fell from Venice proper. I liked it better than Murano (which most people go to for the glass).

Less than five minutes walk from the main tourist route (which is San Marco to Rialto to Train Station and Academia) and there will be a much different atmosphere, more quiet, less crowded.