Venice - things to do?
Apr 28th, 2015, 05:04 AM
#21
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@annhig Well as a matter of fact, Torcello is not only place in the world that you can find a 1000 year old Basilica decorated with golden mosaics, in a scenic view. Hosios Loukas in Greece is of equal beauty, or even better. It is a UNESCO site while Torcello isn't. It's situated on the slopes of Mount Helicon home of the Muses, and is decorated with mosaics frescoes and chandeliers made by Constantinopolitan artists which were masters. It was one of the most celebrated temples of the Byzantine Empire built for the reconquest of Crete under the command of the Emperor Romanos II. So yes Torcello is beautiful but not the best, just saying...
Apr 28th, 2015, 06:55 AM
#22
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The clock tower would be fun for a 13 year old. You get to go up, in smallish groups, into the Renaissance clock tower in Piazza San Marco. You do have to book in advance, they only allow so many people in every day...
http://torreorologio.visitmuve.it/en/home/
http://torreorologio.visitmuve.it/en/home/
Apr 28th, 2015, 07:09 AM
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A neat thing about Torcello to me was also the long boat ride - not that a long boat ride is all that great but torcello being much farther out than Murano or Burano gives you a farther out view of Venice proper from a distance over the water.
I systhesize what ancient mariners must have felt when approaching what then was one of the world's absolute wonders - anticipation mounting as the visage gets closer. The boat ride itself is part of the lure here for me at least.
I systhesize what ancient mariners must have felt when approaching what then was one of the world's absolute wonders - anticipation mounting as the visage gets closer. The boat ride itself is part of the lure here for me at least.
Apr 28th, 2015, 07:31 AM
#24
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ann: >>for me Torcello is a "must see" - where else can you see luminous mosaics in a 1000 year old Basilica in the shadow of the Dolomites? and with any luck far less mobbed with people than much of the rest of Venice.<<
I might not agree, but at least you gave a reason.
>>The Secret itineraries tour of the Doge's palace is also well worth it [you have the opportunity to tour the rest of the palace by yourself after the tour] but again I would go early - one of the many complaints of the Doges was that in summer, their rooms were unbearably hot.<<
Good tip. Early is better. You'll be going into some of the upper reaches of the DP, where it can get hot.
I might not agree, but at least you gave a reason.
>>The Secret itineraries tour of the Doge's palace is also well worth it [you have the opportunity to tour the rest of the palace by yourself after the tour] but again I would go early - one of the many complaints of the Doges was that in summer, their rooms were unbearably hot.<<
Good tip. Early is better. You'll be going into some of the upper reaches of the DP, where it can get hot.
Apr 28th, 2015, 10:38 PM
#25
I might not agree, but at least you gave a reason.>>
why "at least" Vincenzo? I always try to give reasons for my recommendations and I'm sure you do too.
<<So yes Torcello is beautiful but not the best, just saying..>>
Aagh - Petros - firstly I never said it was the best, though it is certainly unique, secondly, however lovely Hoisios Loukas is, the OP is going to VENICE!!!
why "at least" Vincenzo? I always try to give reasons for my recommendations and I'm sure you do too.
<<So yes Torcello is beautiful but not the best, just saying..>>
Aagh - Petros - firstly I never said it was the best, though it is certainly unique, secondly, however lovely Hoisios Loukas is, the OP is going to VENICE!!!
Apr 29th, 2015, 06:22 AM
#26
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This may help---do have a plan !
NAVIGATING IN VENICE
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE: Good web site to explore is: http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/
ARRIVAL IN VENICE: What a treat when you first view Venice from either entry point.
AIRPORT arrivals, you have 3 choices. The ALILAGUNA bus/boat service will cost a 12E each
and take 1:20 to the vaporetto stop at San Marco. The private water taxi service is expensive, about 100E, but it can hold up to 6 people with luggage if you can share the cost. It is much nicer and takes about: 40 to your destination of choice. The other option is the ATVO land bus from the terminal to Piazzale Roma from where you can take a vaporetto or water taxi to your hotel. I prefer the ATVO bus at 6E per or 11E roundtrip.
For TRAIN arrivals, you step out of the station onto the Grand Canal and also have 2 options. The vaporetto is a crowded water bus & a single trip will cost you 7E EACH. The private water taxis are wonderful, but will cost you about 50E depending the trip length.
TOUR GUIDES IN VENICE: We suggest www.walksinsidevenice.it for personalized and theme walking tours.
DO NOT MISS: Venice can be experienced in 3, 5, or 7 day scenarios. If you only have 3 days, here is what I would see first. You can see all of Venice by walking & using vaporetto
• San Marco square—the Basilica & Campanile [ascend the Campanile for great vistas]
• The Doge’s Palace & Correr Museum [ combo ticket includes both]
• The Bridge of Sighs [ the Palace tour will allow you to see from the inside]
• Rialto Bridge and food market [ a good early morning walk]
• The Frari Church & Scuola San Rocco [some of the best art in Venice]
• Galleria del Accademia & Accademia Bridge [ fabulous Renaissance art]
• The Palaces on the Grand Canal [ it takes 2 roundtrips to see it well]
• Isle of San Giorgio Maggiore [ take #82 to see Palladio church—ascend Campanile]
• Explore lagoon by vaporetto to see Burano & Murano [ takes a half day—plan well]
WHERE TO EAT: Food in Venice gets mixed reviews—I hope you like seafood. Here are a few places that we found to be good and not TOO expensive.
• Taverna San Trovaso [ on Rio of same name near Accademia Bridge—reasonable]
• Ristorante da Raffaele [ Good al fresco dining on canal near Santa Maria del Giglio.
• Osteria San Marco [ creative cuisine about 3 minutes north of San Marco]
• Alla Rivetta [ Small Trattoria near San Zaccaria church---always popular]
WHERE TO HANG: That is tough—all of Venice is a good place to hang and people watch.
However, here are several of the neighborhood campos that we liked:
• Campo Santo Stefano, Campo Santa Margherita, Campo Santa Maria Formosa
• And, by all means, the most fabulous Campo of all—Piazza San Marco . It is an after dinner tradition to sit and listen to the dueling bands at the various cafes lining both sides of San Marco. The music is great, but bring your wallet if you plan to sit. We usually have gelato and coffee—plan to spend 50E+ with tip, but it is worth it.
VAPORETTO FARES---2014: 1 TRIP=7E---24 HOURS=20E---48 HOURS=30E
72 HOURS =40E---1 WEEK = 60E
What to do with only TWO days in Venice
I could easily spend a month in Venice and still not get bored. Actually, I guess we have spent about that much time during our 5 visits together, including a week each in two apartment stays. But, if you have less time, here are the suggested experiences to best enjoy Venice.
• TAKING THE #1 VAPORETTO THE LENGTH OF THE GRAND CANAL
This is like taking a city bus tour to become acclimated in a new city. It is best done with a guide book that explains the marvelous historic buildings that you are passing [Rick Steves has a good one]. Try to do it both directions if you can since your views will be different depending on where you sit.
• SEE SAN MARCO SQUARE BOTH EARLY AND LATE IN THE DAY
It is magnificent when you have the time to enjoy it without the tourist hordes.
See it in the early morning light [take your camera] and again late in the evening after dinner to enjoy the wonderful dueling bands.
• GET LOST IN VENICE, PREFERABLY IN DORSODURO & SAN POLO
Take your map, just in case, but the point is to wander the small back streets and Campos away from the tourist path. I prefer starting at the early produce market near Rialto and wandering inland from there. Another landmark to watch for is the Frari church at Campo San Rocco. Campo San Polo is a good place for cappuccino.
• VISIT SAN MARCO BASILICA—SEE DOGE’S PALACE---ASCEND CAMPANILE
I know I said to avoid it during mid-day, but these are too important not to include.
Try to be there by 0900 to avoid the bigger crowds, and you may get lucky with smaller lines after 1600 at the Palace. The views from the Campanile are superb.
That is a full 2 days for you, so plan well. Many first time visitors are frustrated by the hordes of day trippers that clog the primary attractions. So, plan your time well between 1000 and 1600 to minimize the impact. Have fun!
NAVIGATING IN VENICE
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE: Good web site to explore is: http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/
ARRIVAL IN VENICE: What a treat when you first view Venice from either entry point.
AIRPORT arrivals, you have 3 choices. The ALILAGUNA bus/boat service will cost a 12E each
and take 1:20 to the vaporetto stop at San Marco. The private water taxi service is expensive, about 100E, but it can hold up to 6 people with luggage if you can share the cost. It is much nicer and takes about: 40 to your destination of choice. The other option is the ATVO land bus from the terminal to Piazzale Roma from where you can take a vaporetto or water taxi to your hotel. I prefer the ATVO bus at 6E per or 11E roundtrip.
For TRAIN arrivals, you step out of the station onto the Grand Canal and also have 2 options. The vaporetto is a crowded water bus & a single trip will cost you 7E EACH. The private water taxis are wonderful, but will cost you about 50E depending the trip length.
TOUR GUIDES IN VENICE: We suggest www.walksinsidevenice.it for personalized and theme walking tours.
DO NOT MISS: Venice can be experienced in 3, 5, or 7 day scenarios. If you only have 3 days, here is what I would see first. You can see all of Venice by walking & using vaporetto
• San Marco square—the Basilica & Campanile [ascend the Campanile for great vistas]
• The Doge’s Palace & Correr Museum [ combo ticket includes both]
• The Bridge of Sighs [ the Palace tour will allow you to see from the inside]
• Rialto Bridge and food market [ a good early morning walk]
• The Frari Church & Scuola San Rocco [some of the best art in Venice]
• Galleria del Accademia & Accademia Bridge [ fabulous Renaissance art]
• The Palaces on the Grand Canal [ it takes 2 roundtrips to see it well]
• Isle of San Giorgio Maggiore [ take #82 to see Palladio church—ascend Campanile]
• Explore lagoon by vaporetto to see Burano & Murano [ takes a half day—plan well]
WHERE TO EAT: Food in Venice gets mixed reviews—I hope you like seafood. Here are a few places that we found to be good and not TOO expensive.
• Taverna San Trovaso [ on Rio of same name near Accademia Bridge—reasonable]
• Ristorante da Raffaele [ Good al fresco dining on canal near Santa Maria del Giglio.
• Osteria San Marco [ creative cuisine about 3 minutes north of San Marco]
• Alla Rivetta [ Small Trattoria near San Zaccaria church---always popular]
WHERE TO HANG: That is tough—all of Venice is a good place to hang and people watch.
However, here are several of the neighborhood campos that we liked:
• Campo Santo Stefano, Campo Santa Margherita, Campo Santa Maria Formosa
• And, by all means, the most fabulous Campo of all—Piazza San Marco . It is an after dinner tradition to sit and listen to the dueling bands at the various cafes lining both sides of San Marco. The music is great, but bring your wallet if you plan to sit. We usually have gelato and coffee—plan to spend 50E+ with tip, but it is worth it.
VAPORETTO FARES---2014: 1 TRIP=7E---24 HOURS=20E---48 HOURS=30E
72 HOURS =40E---1 WEEK = 60E
What to do with only TWO days in Venice
I could easily spend a month in Venice and still not get bored. Actually, I guess we have spent about that much time during our 5 visits together, including a week each in two apartment stays. But, if you have less time, here are the suggested experiences to best enjoy Venice.
• TAKING THE #1 VAPORETTO THE LENGTH OF THE GRAND CANAL
This is like taking a city bus tour to become acclimated in a new city. It is best done with a guide book that explains the marvelous historic buildings that you are passing [Rick Steves has a good one]. Try to do it both directions if you can since your views will be different depending on where you sit.
• SEE SAN MARCO SQUARE BOTH EARLY AND LATE IN THE DAY
It is magnificent when you have the time to enjoy it without the tourist hordes.
See it in the early morning light [take your camera] and again late in the evening after dinner to enjoy the wonderful dueling bands.
• GET LOST IN VENICE, PREFERABLY IN DORSODURO & SAN POLO
Take your map, just in case, but the point is to wander the small back streets and Campos away from the tourist path. I prefer starting at the early produce market near Rialto and wandering inland from there. Another landmark to watch for is the Frari church at Campo San Rocco. Campo San Polo is a good place for cappuccino.
• VISIT SAN MARCO BASILICA—SEE DOGE’S PALACE---ASCEND CAMPANILE
I know I said to avoid it during mid-day, but these are too important not to include.
Try to be there by 0900 to avoid the bigger crowds, and you may get lucky with smaller lines after 1600 at the Palace. The views from the Campanile are superb.
That is a full 2 days for you, so plan well. Many first time visitors are frustrated by the hordes of day trippers that clog the primary attractions. So, plan your time well between 1000 and 1600 to minimize the impact. Have fun!
May 27th, 2015, 07:15 AM
#27
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Wendy, I too will be in Venice with my 13 y.o. for a few days in July/August. I booked a gondola rowing lesson with Row Venice on a friend's recommendation. http://rowvenice.org/
We are doing the cichetto row, which looks fun and offers a food reward at the end (plus I may need a little ombra after the rowing).
We are doing the cichetto row, which looks fun and offers a food reward at the end (plus I may need a little ombra after the rowing).
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