Any suggestions for a trip to Venice?

Question

I and my friends are planning a trip to Italy. One of the cities we'll be visiting is Venice (only for two days). Can anyone tell me the best tourist hot spot in Venice? I'm thinking about Basilica Di San Marco and Isola Di San Michele (The Cemetery Island)?

Answer 1

i used to live there for several years, i doubt you will be able to see all the best places in the city in only 2 days, but the two you mentioned are good for tourists. it just depends on what you're interested in. i don't even no where to begin its all so great! i can say that i'm sure where ever you do choose to go, you will enjoy it and have a great time! take pictures and such so you can always look back on your trip, with all the great memories and fun that you'll have. good luck!

Answer 2

There are some pretty good self guided tour packages available. I found some at spincitytravel.com under vacations and tours. They usually have all the hot spots you're looking for and you won't be on a time table.

Answer 3

Two days is Venice is not enough but here is my list:

- San Marco square. The Doge's palace, Basilica San Marco (go up), the Campanile, Museo Correr & Museo Acheologico. Drink a coffe at Florian or Quadri since you are near.

- Take the Mercerie from San Marco to the Rialto, a shoopping thoroughfare. See Rialto and the markets around.

- Zattere (Dorsoduro), a long quay along the Guidecca canal, from Punta della Dogana down to San Basilio. Excellent walk.

- Santa Maria della Salute, a baroque church.

- About Saint Michelle island: unless you want to see some famous tombs (Stravinsky, Ezra Pound etc), i wouldn't spend time for it.

- I would go instead in Burano island, and see the lace museum, Chrurch of saint Martino, piazza Galuppi and walk the colorful areas.

- Ride a vaporetto up and down the Grand Canal, early in the morning or in the afternoon.

Have a nice trip !

Answer 4

Your choices to visit are very good... did you know that Ezra Pound is burried in San Michele?

Answer 5

With 2 days, you won't see it all but a lot of people actually just come for a day rather than staying overnight due to the prices so you'll see more than some.  

My suggestions:

Public transportation is great - the "vaporetta" water bus is their public transportation. You can buy an all day pass for $15 Euros.  That would be good to do on your first day. You can then ride the Vaporetta all day, jumping on and off at whatever stops you want. When you first get there, take the #1 Vaporetta - it goes from one end of the canal to the other. You can see all the sights from the boat and decide what you want to do later on. Wait around at the back where there are a few outside seats on the back deck. When someone leaves, grab a seat quickly, enjoy the great view and take lots of pictures.

See St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Square (just watch out for pigeons) and Doge's Palace. There are a number of different passes and cards you can buy that can save you money depending on what you actually want to see (e.g. there's a chorus pass, a Venice card etc) Do a google search to find out current details of prices and what is covered. There is music in St. Mark's square every night. Free to listen to and dancing in the square in encouraged. You only have to pay if you want to sit in one of the chairs.

There are the Peggy Guggeheim Collection and the Galleria Dell'Accademia (not to be confused with the one in Florence that houses Michalengelo's David") in Venice which are both worth seeing.

Stay away from the water taxis unless you've got a lot of cash as these are very expensive. Bring as little luggage as possible (make sure they have wheels). There are a lot of bridges and in some cases you'll have to carry your luggage up and down steps to get to your hotel. Also get good directions to your hotel before you get there.

If you have extra cash and want to experience something only Venice has to offer, splurge for a gondola ride. It is pricey. You can negotiate but it will cost you about 80 Euros for 30 - 40 minutes. Count on spending about 40 Euros more if you want to go under the moonlight and 40 Euros more if you want a musician to seranade you on the gondalo. For a cheaper version, try the "traghetta". This is "gondola-like" and will take you across the canal from one side to another for only 1.50 Euro. A bargain.

You can find out a lot of info on the internet, but we also found carrying a couple travel books with good maps was a great help. We liked Frommer's, Fodors and Rick Steves. All had good and bad points. Try your library or bookstore. Flip through and see which one(s) work best for you. They helped us out.

Enjoy Venezia! It's beautiful and there is no other place in the world like it..