venice...HELP please!!!!

MKS

Sorry, can't do the link so have copied it.

Buy a Venice card for travel, it is valid for the Lido as well as the islands. On the boat to St Mark's Square, sit at the very front if possible - it's the best view for photos and also the same views that you get on a tour, which would cost you a lot. For the best view/photo of the Rialto Bridge, go into a shop called Pre natal (like our Mothercare), it is just at the side of the bridge - the opposite side to the market, go to the back of the shop and the window is usually open (if not open it) and take your picture! If you want to do the museums, get the museum card, it also includes glass/lace museums on the islands. Very highly recommend the 'Secret tour' of the Doges Palace. Book your place direct at the palace - just pay the extra if you have already got the museum pass. Try the Arsenale district for brilliant sunset photos. Have a brilliant time.

MKS

Forgot to include with above post that there are some relatively inexpensive places to eat a block or so away from St. Mark's square. We had a set 2 course meal with a drink at a couple of places for about 7€ each. People on Tripadvisor are very helpful as well.

pollypenny

Definitely buy a waterbus 3/4 day ticket and use it to mooch.

As mentioned the Number 1 meanders down the Grand Canal, where you can see all the lovely palazzi. Try the 51 + 52 as well, they go around the 'back' of the main island, so you see Arsenale and a different point of view.

I think all 3 go across to the Lido. Murano and Burano are well worth a visit, as is the Ghetto. In fact, OH and I like Venice away from St Mark's square the best.

bee-ess

As others have recommended -

Take No 1 Waterbus from Piazalle Roma to St Marks is a must.
Vist Burano - take an early waterbus before the crowds on a sunny day and the colours of the boats and their reflections are amazing.

Also Rialto Market very early in the morning is worth seeing and if you want something different to eat - try one of the many wine bars in the Rialto district in the morning for a glass of wine and cicchetti (italian tapas) - one we tried was Cantina do Mori but there are lots of them in that area - very simple, stand to drink and order ciccheti off the bar. Google 'Frommers Cantina do Mori' for details - this forum won't let me post the link.

melb

the co-op at piazza roma has some lovely food in the deli section. you can buy hams cheese lvely containers of mozarella and tomato salad a few lettuce leaves and greatf fresh bread. Not like any co-op I've been in to in this country.

beaglechops

Hi everyone - I recently got back from a super shoe string visit to Venice for 3 days and thought I would recommend a few things:

We got the bus transfer from Treviso airport and is was cheap and fine - no problems highly recommended and you cant really get closer in to Venice as cars are banned.

we stayed in a hostel really near to where the buses and coaches drop off from the airport and just over the canal from the train stations so super good for travel links. That hostel was Sanata Croce and was about 20 euros per night per person for a bed each in a twin room with our bathroom.

Really cheap eats in pizza restaurant called Ae Oche (there are a few branches) - propably closest to Nandos here - refillable soft drinks etc.

I only bought a water ferry ticket on one day to go up and down the Grand Canal and to travel all around the outside of Venice - otherwise I was happy to walk and meander about exploring back streets and tiny shops.

Co-op is brilliant and there are a couple of branches - we filled up with water and picnic foods and fruit and took ourselves away from the crowds to have a little sit.

I would say the must sees are the inside of St Marks - breathtaking and I really enjoyed the Campanile and Doges palace. I also liked looking around the festival mask and glass shops and eating delicious ice creams! Had a really good night in a bar near to the University that was chaep and lively - cant remeber the name now but there are a few bars aroud there that seem quite similar.

I definitely agree with the poster who says to wait until everyone else goes to bed and see Venice by moonlight on your own. Its gorgeous.

Have fun!!

mum2olly

just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their replies! we go this saturday! :-)

i definately would like to go to murano, is that a whole day or half a days worth??

we do just wanna et lost in the city and see what goes on :-)

not sure what to do about water bus passes as if we buy them on saturday then wont be valid for our last day there.

can i just buy a 3 day pass when we get on our first water bus the next morning??

any ideas for half or full day trips are most welcome but try to be as mse as poss!!!


thanks again! :-)

sunshinetours

mum2olly wrote: »

just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their replies! we go this saturday! :-)

i definately would like to go to murano, is that a whole day or half a days worth??
I would say half day
we do just wanna et lost in the city and see what goes on :-)

not sure what to do about water bus passes as if we buy them on saturday then wont be valid for our last day there.
Are you there all day on last day if not then just buy a single trip ticket if you need top get back to the train station to get to airport and walk for the day?

can i just buy a 3 day pass when we get on our first water bus the next morning?? You can buy them there and they work from when you first validate so yes

any ideas for half or full day trips are most welcome but try to be as mse as poss!!!

Burano is worth a look for all the cloured houses and very pretty for pictures, but quite a way on the vaparetto. Think they leave from San Zaccaria station right outside the hotel we stayed in (Locanda Vivaldi).
Definitely have a coffee or glass of prosecco in St Marks Square as a treat


thanks again! :-)

Have a great time

melb

just in case you don't know the vaparetto passes work on 24 hours system rather than number of days. so a 72 hour one will last you from, say 8 pm Tuesday to 7.59 pm Friday. Will this help with your situation?

mum2olly

melb wrote: »

just in case you don't know the vaparetto passes work on 24 hours system rather than number of days. so a 72 hour one will last you from, say 8 pm Tuesday to 7.59 pm Friday. Will this help with your situation?

ahh haa thanks soo much for this.

just trying to sort xfers now from treviso to mestre where we r staying.

our hotel will do it for 110euros for the 4 of us.

does anyone know any other good xfer services cheaper please?

i really am grateful for everyones help.