Venice

[user1494340956]

Hi all, off to Venice for 5 nights any musts? Does anyone have any recommendations or hidden gems they have discovered?
Thank you

about 5 years ago we went for a big anniversary and stayed at the Hotel Bisanzio. It was central and good quality and very quiet. We booked ahead tickets to go up the clock tower overlooking Piazza San Marco. Numbers are limited in its tiny spaces. We had a delicious dinner at Al Covo - you'll need to book. Do go across to Murano/Burano. The hotel arranged a glass factory tour on Murano which was fascinating. Just when they were really hoping we'd buy something really expensive, their father started fulminating in Italian. They were so embarrassed they hustled us out ... pronto. We did the Doges Palace and lots of walking. There are some canal crossings which use gondolas so you don't necessarily need to go in a touristy one. The Lizard's Bite and other David Hewson books can get you in the mood.

We stayed at one of eurocamps sites opposite Venice which was close to beach and easy to hop on ferry across to Venice so kids had best of both - bit.of culture and beach ! And.alot cheaper than staying in hotel ;-)

Beautiful city, but I wish I had used mosquito repellent at night!

We loved it! Look on Trip Advisor for the cheap eats places and mark a few of them on a paper map you can get at the airport bus ticket sales for free. We didn't pay through the nose that way. Carry a small water bottle - find the small supermarkets for that.

Think about buying travel cards, as you van go up and down the canal and over to Murano / Burano on one 24hr ticket if you time it properly! The canal at night is worth the trip in the dark.

We were very disappointed in the food, so can't recommend anywhere in particular.

Our trip was on a budget, however, so it may depend on what you want to spend.

thank you for all the responses @silverHairedcat @tarheelbaby the clock tower sounds like something we would love thank you, we definetly would like to get across to murano/burano. We have prebooked 48 hour alilaguana passes. Good to know about the gondolas as the prices seem pretty steep ( although to be expected) we will decide on arrival whether to go on a gondola or not. Shame about the food fingers crossed ,we have better luck
@cantwait4summer my fiancé has booked the hotel as a surprise so we shall see
@stillnotready I shall stock up

Hi everyone sorry if I've confused anyone I actually picked a username today I've been around these parts for a tad too long with a user number

Ha ha! Good idea.

We balked at the cost of the gondola and stuck to the vaporettos.

We went last summer with two teen DCs. Our must sees - Peggy Guggenheim Museum which was very intimate and has a lovely courtyard; Scuola Grande di San Rocco - you get a bit churched out but this building is spectacular, and off the tourist trail. We had it to ourselves. Vaporetto at Rialto, rather than gondolier. DCs loved it. Have fun.

Pre book The Secret Itineraries tour of the Doges Palace, it’s limited to small numbers of visitors, and you get a tour of the attics, cells and secret areas of the palace - very enjoyable.

If you are there on a Saturday morning, head to the Muro Rialto in a square near the Rialto market, where they serve a great fritto misto on paper plates outside, and locals and tourists sit around on chairs, steps and window sills, eating and drinking prossecco.

top tip - fit for purpose shoes and backpack not foolish wheely bag.lotsof cobbles and steps, wear trainers with decent soles not staggering heels or dickish ballet flats.

Thanks everyone sorry for the delay in replying

@celeriacacaca scuola grande di san Rocco looks amazing will definetly try to pop in and have a look
@budgiegirl that sounds brilliant hopefully we get a chance to experience that the prosecco alone will go down a treat
@specialsubject brilliant tip I have lots of silly shoes will take my sketchers along for the trip

Thank you everybody

Also I can not get together and go there on vacation

Definitely use the taxi boats as a 'guide' - and visit murano and some of the smaller places as well as they are absolutely charming.

Shared water taxis from the airport - not much more expensive than the water buses but a much nicer journey.

Eat in back streets / away from tourists to save money - found some lovely little places around Academia and along that side.

The Hilton on the other side of the canal apparently has a lovely roof bar but was sadly closed when we went. Similarly a very expensive fancy cocktail on the canal side terrace at Gritti Palace is on my to-do list next time!