Venice Travel Answers

Yes, 4 days is suffient imo. I stayed for 4 nights last year. Venice is small (only takes around an hour to cross on foot)and extremely walkable. Rather than my suggesting itineraries for someone else, I prefer to suggest you get a good guidebook and map (the indestructible Rough Guide map is superb, imo) and work out your own plans based on suggestions from this thread. You will want to see the Basilica San Marco and the Doges' Palace, of course, the Rialto Bridge and the Canale Grande. There are many, many churches to visit, most of which have superb artwork inside and are facinating in themselves. The Chorus Pass is well worth buying (from the first church included its list it which you visit): http://www.chorusvenezia.org/ You should also spend time just wandering the narrow streets, alleyways and sottoportego in the various districts. Dorsoduro and Canareggio are especially lovely, being slightly off the beaten path. Had I had an extra day I would have taken a vaporetto trip to one of the other lagoon islands. You have a choice of several, depending on your interests: europeforvisitors.com/venice... will give you information on each, but do look at the relevant VT pages as well.

In addition to @leics recommendations, I'd like to suggest a visit to Burano and Torcello as well. Both are located in the northeastern part of the lagoon and easily accessible by boat (vaporetto, line LN, leaves from Fondamenta Nuove in the north/Cannaregio). Trip takes approx. 45-50 minutes. Burano is a fishermen village and has very lovely colourful houses. Next to Burano is Torcello, the oldest part of the lagoon with a marvellous old Byzantine type church.

Burano and Torcello are something special, even for Venice. To get an idea of the colours of Burano have a look at Trekki's VT pages about Burano. You will want to go there during your stay in Venice after you've seen them.

Hi. I am going next week & using these responses for my benefit too! While planning, I realised that Venice is not for those on a tight budget (tight is a relative term). I have therefore decided to put up in Padua & also use the opportunity to explore Padua while doing day-trips to Venice. Regards, nani.

Four days should be fine. The Museo Correr (opposite end of St Mark's Square from the Basilica) is worth a visit - it charts the history of Venice. Remember that the cafes in St Mark's Square are really charging you for the experience of sitting in the piazza and possibly listening to their live musicians, with a drink thrown in. Definitely not a budget option (it's a bit cheaper inside, but then you don't have the view), but maybe worth doing once for the experience, if you can afford it. I found that the cafe inside the Museo Correr had a good view down over the Square and rather more acceptable prices, though I haven't been there for a while. The Naval History Museum (Museo Storico Navale) is also fascinating - it's near the Arsenale vaporetto stop.

Thank you so much! The information and links provided are very helpful to get me started on the planning - I will research the places mentioned first before asking more specific questions then. I appreciate all the suggestions - earlier I was contemplating either to go Venice or Athens, I guess I will do Venice first and cover Athens another time. For now I have questions to help me plan further: - there is no such thing as "visa" requirement for visitors right? - is mid May a good time for visit? - although it is walkable is there public transport? - where is the famous gondola ride? any links which I could research on this? - any suggestions on places to stay? I will try to go "cheap and cheerful" so do feel free to let me know of any other suggestions / useful travel tips for Venice! =)

Oh dear... I am so indecisive. As I research, I came across Milan. How many hours are they apart and if I have not been to Italy before, would it be better to visit Venice or Milan? Which is more recommended for a romantic getaway... I so feel like doing both but I can't get such long leave. Suggestions welcomed.

venice to me is definitely a better first go than Milan. If you were considering Florence I might be less certain. wandering in venice is the best thing, and thats free. second best is sitting on a vaporetto and watching the scenery roll by. thats not free, but its not madly expensive. Food is expensive if you want to eat like a king, and I think the food in venice is great, which is not eveyones opinion, but I spent a LOT of money last time I visited (on Food). you can get a sandwich and a beer pretty cheap in plenty of places

No, not Milan. Venice has so much more to offer, and is so much more romantic. At least, I imagine it would be romantic......have not had that pleasure. :-( Save Milan for another time. www.venere.com will give you the best choice of places to stay (hotels, b&bs, apartments), with honest guest reviews. Mestre, on the mainland and a quick bus trip over the causeway to Venice proper, is a bit cheaper. I don't know if hostels are any good for romance, but have a look at www.hostelworld.com and www.hostelbookers.com Mid-May will be a lovely time to visit....not too hot (Venice can be smelly when it gets very hot,as the canals do not flow speedily) and ideal for wandering. If you do want to take public transport, then there are the vaporetti (water-buses). Water-taxis are very expensive, and gondolas even more so (55 euro for 30 minutes when I was there last March!). You will find gondoliers hanging around all over the main touristy parts of the city touting for custom...but expect to pay a substantial amount for the experience. If you just want to try a gondola ride, take one of the traghetti (gondola ferries) over the Canale Grande. 50 cents a trip....and make sure you stand up all the way over, like a local! :-) Vaporetti routes and timetables here; http://www.actv.it/english/home.php Fares here: actv.it/english/navigazione.... If you need a Schengen visa you will need one for Italy. If you do not need one, then you do not need a visa.

http://www.esteri.it/visti/home_eng.asp will tell you for definite if you need a visa.

Just back yesterday from Venice, it is not called the 'serenissima' for nothing -Venice can only take you away from the mundane to greater heights of bliss, serenity and happiness -if you let it. I first went to Venice with my new husband more than 20 years ago we were too young to appreciate it and did feel it was a little dirty. This time I travelled there alone and hub. stayed at home with the boys. It is much cleaner but there are some bad niffs in some places but you have to allow for the throngs of tourists going there. I had booked into the Villa Igea but ended up being transferred to their sister hotel the Jolanda (to right of San Marco on the waterfront), staff, food, price, room were really 4* not the mundane, flashy fascade offering we get in too many hotels over Europe but in the attention to detail, cleanliness, period furnishings -a true sense of old time luxury and service was on offer. As for the rest of Venice - so much choice so little time. so before you go if you want to get the best from your stay book a good hotel (see above), get your vaporetta tickets at airport if you feel you need them (72 hrs €33), get your Chorus pass to Churches, and you can pre-book your Museum pass on-line (see information on Venice from other VTs). Don't dwell on the minute quirks just keep in mind the joy of this unique experience. Enjoy!

I know the Doge Palace has been mentioned, but anyone visiting the Palace should in addition book the Secret tour of the palace and will give you a far better understanding and appreciation of the city.

I know the Doge Palace has been mentioned, but anyone visiting the Palace should in addition book the Secret tour of the palace and will give you a far better understanding and appreciation of the city.

I'll just echo and put my 2cents worth: YES!! VENICE ---- NO-Milan. And mid-May is almost perfect, as the real crush of tourists is only just beginning; that's when we were there last time. You don't really want to be there later into the summer; the cheaper places to stay can also be hot/stuffy and noisy then. Definitely don't over plan your time; as everyone else said, take your time and walk around the find a couple favorite spots---you WILL enjoy!