We only have 1 1/2 days in Venice what sights should we concentrate on and where should we eat?

This is a tough question; there's so much to see! But I'll take a stab at it. Basilica San Marco (don't miss the Pala d'Oro or the Treasury - pay the E2 and E1.50 respectively- it's worth it). The Doge's Palace and be sure to cross over the Bridge of Sighs. The Frari Church has remarkable art and so does the Scuola Grande San Rocco that is located right behind it. I enjoyed the Ca' Rezzonico which is a museum of 18th century Venice - wow what Murano chandeliers! If you're a fan of Paulo Veronese, don't miss San Sebastiano - if you're not a fan, skip this. As you're staying overnight, you might like to see a concert; your hotel will have information and tickets that run from E20 to E35. For restaurant suggestions you might check the postings on slowtrav.com where some very experienced Venice travelers post. If you enjoy religious art there is a Chorus Pass for E9 that grants access into 8 or 10 churches and it is remarkable to see this art in it's original location rather than in a museum. Take the vapporetto #82 which is the "Grand Canal Local" and just enjoy the ride.

Hi W,

Have you looked at the mini guide to Venice under "Destinations"?

Can't say enough about a good guidebook.

Definitely get a good guidebook and photocopy the pages listing the main sights and hours/admission prices. Personally I would advise:

-Frari Church
-Basilica San Marco
-Doges Palace (do the Secret Itineraries tour - search for info on Fodors)
-Correr Museum
-Accademia Museum

But there are sooooo many wonderful sights. You should really do some research on your own to make sure you don't miss anything that would be of key interest to YOU!

Be sure to take a boat ride up the Grande Canale, preferably at night when the silent faded facades of the ancient palazzo that line the canal appear to be so surrealistic and stand as a silent sentinel to Venice's glory days centuries ago. A regular vaporetto will do just well - for a few bucks as opposed to hundreds for gondola.

It does really depend on your personal interests. Here's a partial list of places that one person or another might consider musts--

Piazza San Marco, Basilica San Marco, Campanile, Palace of the Doges, Grand Canal on a vaporetto, Lagoon islands: Murano, Burano, Torcello, San Michelle.

Gondola yard, The Arsenale and the Naval Museum, Correr Museum, Accademia art museum, Peggy Guggenheim Gallery, Museo di Arte Orientale, Museo Archeologico Nazionale. Numerous art shows and exhibits. Too many speciality museums to list (from lagoon ecology to lace). The Ghetto.

Too many churches with interesting art and architecture to list, but ... Basilica Santa Mariadella Salute, Basilica dei Frari, Santa Maria dei Miracoli, San Sebastiano, San Pietro di Castello, Santo Giovanni E Paolo, Madonna dell'Orto. Venice's churches have some of Italy's greatest works of art--many free to view by the likes of Tintoretto, Veronese, Titian, Bellini, Vivarini, and Carpaccio.

Scuola Grande di San Rocco, Scuola San Giorgio degli Schiavoni, Scuola San Nicolo, Scuola Grande Dei Carmini, Scuole Grande of San Rocco--art and music Campo Santa Maria Formosa, Ca’ Rezzonico museum, Querini-Stampalia palace/museum, San Giovanni Evangelista, Ponte di Rialto Rialto market, Ca’ d’Oro, Ca' Pesaro museum. Gondola tour of smaller, hidden canals. Opera and concerts at La Fenice.

Walking away from the daytripping herds and discovering a quiet, secret city that most tourists have no clue exists.

Venice.

(I just think the city itself is the most fascinating thing the city has to offer. We'd have loved just as much had we not gone to any museums, etc. They're a bonus.)