Venice planning help

[Smurfmurf]

DH and I are going to Venice in February. Our flight lands at 22.30 on Saturday evening and we leave at 14.00 on the Tuesday. Basically, we’ve got 2 full days plus a couple of hours on Tuesday morning.

Plan so far is to take the bus from the airport and then walk the 2-3 minutes to Hotel Arlecchino for 3 nights. Went with this hotel due to arrival time which will be around midnight.

We have no firm plans other than to wander, get lost and see where we go. We would like to do a private Gondola, see the Rialto, Bridge of Sighs, the book shop and St Marks Square. Don’t think we want to go inside the Basilica. We’ve done plenty in the past albeit not Venice. We can spend time elsewhere.

I would like to get a coffee or a glass of wine in Florian’s just to say we’ve done it. I would also like to do the secret tour of Doges Castle. Is it worth it?

I would also love to go to Murano for a few hours but I am not sure if that’s realistic in the time we have. What do you think?

I read somewhere that it’s good to have an early start and see the sun come up, the city come to life. Potentially we would do that on the Tuesday to make use of the last couple of hours.

Clothing wise, we are hand luggage only. I’m thinking layers and a warm jacket. Not sure we need hats, gloves and scarfs though.

Any and all tips welcome. Thanks.

I concur that Torcello is lovely (not least because I got married on the island!) And yes to Venice being a very underrated foodie heaven - especially if you like fish! Baccalà mantecata and sarde in saor are delicious. Oooh and as you’ll be there in feb, make sure you eat plenty of frittele - fried, sugary balls of pure heaven!

Make sure you get to have a wander around Canareggio, Bacaro de Gelato makes the most sublime ice cream then you can have a meander down the canals soaking up the atmosphere, we went in the morning and then in the early evening when thr area was really buzzing.
Personally I wouldn't spend your limited time going to Murano, it's lovely but wouldn't be top of my list on a short trip.
highlights fir me were Fish market, Interpreti Veneziani playing four seasons, mask painting at Ca Macana and riding the vaporetto up and down the Grand Canal in the evening.

I loved it so much I'm going back in March

I'd skip the gondola ride, v.expensive & IMO not worth it.
The vaporettos (water buses) are great; your hotel should be able to advise about routes, stops, timetables etc.
I've been 5 times, there's always something you haven't seen before.

Thanks all for your help. I’ve got a new travel note book and I’ve written a few things down. We can’t go and not do a gondola. I know it’s expensive and it will probably be a bit shit but when in Venice….

Sugary balls sound good!

Get a gondola off the beaten track then - the grand canal abd the smaller Canals around are really busy and there were a lot of "traffic jams".

As I sad previously we didn’t do a gondola but I wish we had. Against most PP advice I would go on the Grand canal (but go early), the sights are more interesting. The ‘back street’ canals are much narrower and we saw lots of gondola queues on them. You can walk around the streets off the beaten track.

We've been to Venice many times & I absolutely recommend a gondola ride.
We've been in day time setting off from the lagoon & heading under the bridge of sighs with dc
And now that they're teens we did a late night one about 2 years ago. It was magical & memorable.
I also recommend the secret tour of the doges Palace too it's great.
Have fun! It's one of my favourite places on earth

Im so jealous now! I haven't been to Venice for about 4 years now, I need to book another trip there.

Can you put wellies on for when your luggage size is checked / boarding plane and put your other shoes in your hand luggage? I think cold wet feet would make an otherwise lovely experience quite miserable. Take warm socks and a warm hat too. Venice is beautiful but can be incredibly cold in winter.

I would bin off the gondola and get a water taxi from the airport instead with the money saved. Will be a highlight of your trip.

There’s also a gondola ride you can take on the cheap as it’s essentially just a river ferry crossing. It’s the traghetto and costs a couple of Euros. Then at least you’ve had the experience! And if you find that wasn’t enough you can go on an expensive tourist gondola tour.