Please give me tips for Venice (like hotel)

[Goingonagondola]

I started a thread in Chat recently about whether I'd be brave enough to take my mum to Venice for her 70th - and I think I'm going to go for it after the lovely encouragement I received.

But first obviously I need to book. I've pretty much decided on the flights (Easyjet - and I'm guessing I should just book as they're not going to get any cheaper are they?) but I'm not settled on a hotel.

Ideally I want in or close to San Marco (as mum isn't always up for lots of walking so I want her to be able to see the main things with very little effort). I think I want a canal view - is it worth it? For a once in a lifetime thing? (It's her lifelong dream to go to Venice... ) I probably need minimal stairs or an elevator. And much as I love my mum, I want a twin room not a double. Anyone know of anything that fits the bill, or ticks some of these boxes (I can go without the canal view if necessary but I need my own bed!!)

We arrive on a Friday night and leave on a Monday mid morning so only Saturday/Sunday. My vague plan is to see Doge's palace and other v touristy things early on Saturday morning, then spend the rest of the morning seeing anything else nice in the area, and then getting on a boat and seeing Murano/Burano in the afternoon. Then spending Sunday wandering and popping into churches, with perhaps a visit to the Jewish Ghetto. Does that all sound ok?

Thank you so much. Very nervous and inexperienced traveller so all help very gratefully received.

I recently stayed at this place www.palazzosoderini.it/en/
You can book through Expedia/booking.com rather than direct if you prefer.

It's in a lovely quiet square a short distance from Riva degli Schiavoni and walking distance St Marks square and lots of the sights. It's also a short walk from the boat stop if you want to take the boats. No canal views but most of the rooms are on the ground floor so no stairs to contend with, and a nice generous breakfast - it has a lovely garden you can sit out in if the weather's nice.

As for what to do/see - good idea to go to St Mark's early. The Basilica is beautiful and worth seeing inside. I would aim to get there for when it opens. If you want to skip the queues you can book online for €3 each - worth it if you ask me. www.venetoinside.com/attraction-tickets-in-veneto/tickets/skip-the-line-saint-marks-basilica/

If you like churches/Renaissance painting then San Zaccaria (also very near the hotel I've recommended) is beautiful and has a wonderful altarpiece by Giovanni Bellini. My other favourite church is the Frari which has two Titians and a Bellini.

Rather than spend lots of time going to Burano/Murano why not get a boat a short way across the lagoon to San Giorgio Maggiore - you can visit the church and go up the bell tower to get amazing views.

Canareggio and the Jewish Ghetto is nice.

For a fun aperitivo to to Caffe Laverna on St Marks square and have a spritz standing at the bar with the locals - cheap and lots of free snacks laid on - don't sit out though as they charge loads for that.

Thank you so much for your details and helpful reply. I'm going to look into everything you suggested now and have a good old google! The hotel is a little over budget for me (on our dates - but maybe that could come down) at the moment but it does look lovely! There is so much choice it's making my head spin. Thanks for the links to book tickets as well - I didn't know you could do that.

Peronally I do no think you need to be too near St Marks Square as prices definitely go up in that area. It is swarming with tourists. You could go further out and get the No 1 Vaporetto which stops everywhere. However, do not stay on another island. It is a faff travelling in and out.

The Jewish Ghetto is interesting but not sure about it on a first visit. The Bridge of Sighs, The Doges Palace, St Marks Aquare, the Cathedral, the Rialto, The Guggenheim, the various fantastic churches with fabulous paintings, and the Opera House are more interesting in my view. Just going up and down the grand Canal is a great experience.

I have just had a look on Booking.com for a weekend in October. I filtered to get the hotels in order of guest reviews. There were two pages on hotels rated 9/10 plus. They were all sorts of prices but I also filtered for a central location. I think the lower end of the price range for hotels rated 9/10 or above is a good deal. Choose a few to look at in detail. Do not keep looking because there are iterally thousands. Filter again on price and I am sure you will get something great. Howeer, Canal views cost!!! The Hotel Palazzo Barbarigo Sul Canal Grande is to die for.

BubblesBuddy is right - around St Marks is always heaving and very overpriced. Canal views cost quite a bit & there are nice other options if not quite so spectacular! Last time we stayed in Venice we stayed here - www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g187870-d1156287-Reviews-Ca_Bragadin_Carabba-Venice_Veneto.html
It’s 5 minutes from the Rialto and overlooking a very pretty square. It’s not budget but won’t break the bank either! Basically it’s a guest house - our suite was huge and attractive. It was up a flight of stairs though so you would need to contact the property and ask for a first floor room - I think it had a lift but my memory is going!

You don’t say when your Mums birthday is? Having been to Venice in all different seasons, it can be really unpleasantly hot and heaving during the warmer months. We were last there in June last year and it was already packed out, our previous visit in March was much nicer! They are flood risks in some months though.

If I’m honest, if your Mum has mobility issues then Venice isn’t 100% ideal and there is lots of ups and downs over bridges and traversing alley after alley. There are other Italian cities that would be easier - Bologna, Florence or Verona for example (although Florence in summer months is equally packed!). I do understand it’s her lifelong dream though so go for it. Agree that getting around by vaporetto (water bus) is the way to go. My favourite thing to do in Venice is to get lost and wander, probably not a great idea on your trip but do get off the beaten track! Burbank is nice, Murano less so! Personally I like the Jewish ghetto and it’s unique history but it will appeal to some people, not others!

Burbank??! Burano!