if you had one day in venice...

fred-1234

where would you go/see?

fedupwithcrap

My wife and I did a day trip to Venice from Bournemouth a few years ago with Palmair/Bath Travel.

We did the camponile(quite a long queue though) and the short crossing on a gondola(didnt want to spend approx £60 as we didnt really have the time to enjoy a full gondola ride).

Generally just wander round and explore.

Lots of streets to explore and churches. Better value restaurants off the main tourist areas as well.

We found one day was not enough, especially if its a warm time of year. It can get very hot in the afternoon.

Still it gave us a taste and we went back in 2006 for a long weekend, meant we could go back to our hotel(with a/c!)in the afternoon, before going back out in the evening.

Excellent city, loved being there.

Whenever you go just enjoy.

hurworth

My advice ... get waterbus number 1, takes you all the way around Venice (and over to the Veneto) and then comes back down the Grand Canal as a single continuous circuit - I think it is a great way to see all the life of a watery city like Venice in an easy 60-90 minutes, and gives a perfect view of the palazzos of the Grand Canal. It arrives every 20 minutes and any of the yellow landing stages along the San Marco waterfront can be used as it stops at them all, suggest San Marco or San Zaccharia as the ones to use. Just stay on it for as long as you like, when you buy a ticket (about 6 euro) it is for any single continuous journey, so you can stay on all day if you like ! Don't worry if the number 1 looks like it is going the wrong way, it does go in a full circle I promise ..... but do check it is a number 1 if you're feeling lost after 3 hours !

Place to eat .... a place run by a group of OAPs ! The old ladies restaurant is called Ai Cugnai, it's on Piscina del Forner (857) & very near to the Accademia Bridge (the water bus stops here). This is a funny experience whatever time you go, just don't expect too many manners from the staff ! It's closed Mondays in case that matters. No phone, so just turn up, they'll usually fit you in somehow ...... I'd also set expectations low here, it's no 'plush' dress up place, but the food is really good and the atmosphere is light hearted and they have a few stock 'wind ups' to get you laughing. If you are feeling like a real 'splash out', get a watertaxi in from the airport - the most unique way to arrive in the city. Enjoy it.

moonrakerz

Strange as it may seem, I found the best way to see Venice was on foot. If you go by boat all you see is the "waterfront". On foot you will find all sorts of beautiful places and restaurants/cafes at a fraction of the prices on the main tourist routes.
For a one day visit I wouldn't touch any of the usual tourist "traps", they are overcrowded and overpriced.

deegee999

Take the waterbus to st marks sq and walk back, best of both worlds, did it on a day trip about 2003 from stanstead

skysky69

I'd agree with the last poster, get the bus there and then walk back. There are so many churches and chapels on the walk back up to the bus terminal. This city had me in awe, it is so beautiful and chic. The square is a must to see. I would imagine that in the main summer tourist months it is a bit too manic. We went in March and it was still busy - the thought of the amount of tourists trebling in the summer would put me off and I would imagine that the canals may be a bit whiffy if it was really warm.

It would be a shame to go to venice and not go on a gondola (although the are not very MSE!) if you do, definitely haggle! It is amazing how much the drop their price by!

Also, if you go into any bars, if you stand at the bar, the drinks are cheaper than if you sit at a table so to be MSE, stand like the locals do :beer:

As has already been said, eating around St Mark's square tends to be more expensive, there are some absolutely smashing places off in some of the side streets.

I think you have to see some of the main touristy things just so you can say you have seen it. The bridge of sighs, Rialto bridge - all a must - oh and a book to tell you what it is all about (try ebay!).

Hope this helps.
m

MenstrieBen

this is the response I put in another thread on this which is here

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1200013

the tread also has some other good ideas

We were there for a day in august - first tip don't go in august as its heaving with people though that said it was easy enough to get away from the crowds once you got a block or two from the main attractions.

the day ticket for the waterbuses was worthwhile (about 14 euro) as it was a lot easier to hop on and off without worrying about the prices

route 1 goes up and down the grand canal and makes a good starting point for a trip

for a cheap go on a gondola try the traghetti, which go back and forth across the grand canal in places where there aren't bridges (0.50 euro per person)

I really enjoyed wandering about and seeing where places/streets went to, its really quite compact and its possible to walk from right across the central area in 30-40 min even with stopping for ice creams!

quite a bit of info on here too

http://www.comune.venezia.it/flex/cm...N/IDPagina/117


heve a good trip

sturll

Easy - Walk to St Peters Sq, have a mince round there. Then go to Lido - amazing little gem largely untouched by visitors.

hyperjedz

venice is supposed to be explored in water, so i'll probably try riding the gondola or the vaporetto. and to be on the safer side, i will bring a luggage or bag that is waterproof like those of Titan and porche koffer.

sturll

hyperjedz wrote: »

venice is supposed to be explored in water, so i'll probably try riding the gondola or the vaporetto. and to be on the safer side, i will bring a luggage or bag that is waterproof like those of Titan and porche koffer.

Says who?

Be warned though last time i was there a 30 min Gondola ride was along the lines of 80 Euros (4 years ago)

lobster123

Be sure to take a trip to Burano (buy some lace). A beautiful little island with colourful painted houses. Breathtaking and you'll be sure to get some wonderful pictures.

Murano is also worth going to if you have the time. You can actually watch the glass being blown in some of the small factories.