Venice? Is it worth it? Not enough time?

[CosyNavyLeader]

We have an opportunity for a child free weekend away.

Friday flight out 11.35am. Land Venice 2.45pm.

Sunday flight back home. Depart Venice airport 3.30pm. Land back home 5pm.

Flights are £200 for the both of us in total.

I can find accommodation for around £150 for the two nights.

Is it worth it? Has anyone else done such a short trip?

Is it enough time to at least feel like we've seen enough of Venice?

It will be in January, 2nd to 4th. Not sure if this would still come under the Christmas crazy time or if it will be quieter (which is better for us if we are on a tight schedule)

Any feedback would be appreciated. Thankyou!

Why absolutely freezing? Looking at the average temp it seems very similar to London? I went in Feb this year and it was really sunny the whole time, I was sitting on the street having an ice cream without a coat.

OP I think if everything goes okay it will probably be fine. Agree with people saying maybe don't do the islands because that will take up a huge proportion of your 1 full day. Also I wouldn't risk wandering too much on the Sunday, because it's a place that's easy to get lost in! Maybe save something like St Mark's for the Sunday because you can just get the vaporetto straight there and back. My only concern would be if the flight was delayed or something, which would reduce your time even further when you don't have much to play with.

FWIW Marco Polo airport was probably the quietest and most organised airport I've ever flown into - it was literally something like 7 minutes rom stepping off the plane to getting on the bus that takes you to Venice, which included the time spent buying and validating a ticket!

Oh yes. Venice is lovely.

I’ve always gone February or march. Much quieter, but still pleasant weather. If you go between festival and lent, a lot of hotels do good deals.

Flight delays going out. Didn't think of that. Something to consider when I make my decision.

Oh yes. Venice is small and I've been once for maybe four nights and feel no urge to return.

I went for a day as was also going to Florence and Rome, personally I thought that was plenty of time, I couldn’t have spent more than a day there

Also- hotel says it is 900 yards from Doge palace and 300 yards from Rialto bridge.

Does this sound good?

Have you got the name of the street/ Square?

It's definitely on the main island, then, and reasonably (without being too) central.

San Polo 1615 - Calle delle Poste Vecie, San Polo, 30125 Venice, Italy •

Copied from booking.com.

That looks great. It's very close to the Rialto fruit and vegetable market and the church of S.Giacomo di Rialto, which are lovely (look for the Gobbo!). It's central, but on the other side of the Grand Canal from the main tourist drag.

That really is a lovely location - very central but a little bit away from the hustle bustle of Rialto. From memory it’s one of the oldest parts of Venice and has a fascinating history, I did a walking tour around there last year. And very good vaporetto access down the Grand Canal too.

Have the barriers really got rid of high waters altogether, or just reduced them? I’d heard they’re so ridiculously expensive to deploy they aren’t getting used as much as they might. Certainly when I was there last winter all the boards were out as a precaution around San Marco, and the vaporetti stops had up-to-date warnings about how the schedules change during flooding - but perhaps the locals just don’t want to trust that the new system actually works yet.

I’ve done Venice for one day and it was wonderful. I often fly into European cities on similar flights for the weekend- always worth it! Go for it

Go. It’s a magical place and IMO at its best off-season. Since you won’t be there for long, plan carefully. I would suggest coffee and cakes in Cafe Florian on St Mark’s Square one day. Expensive but there’s nowhere like it.

Thanks again for the great replies. Who knew Mumsnet would have so many Venice tour guides.

Does anyone want to join me to show us around!? 🤣

No, you're right- I just read up on it. Despite the "NO MORE ACQUA ALTA!" fanfare in the press when Mose was finally completed, it turns out it costs about 80,000 euros each time they raise the barrier, so they only do it when the predicted surge is over a certain height. You couldn't make it up....🤦‍♀️🤣

By the way LadyGrey, wasn't it you who advised me on swimming lakes in Berlin? We ended up going to Schlachtensee and it was lovely.

I did similar with my DH but in November one year. It was chilly but gloriously sunny. Couldn’t have been better weather wise. Really quiet as well. We didn’t try to do too much. Totally worth it. I have been intending to go back fur years but not made it yet. If I never manage that longer trip I am planning at least I had that beautiful November weekend.

Yes, Venice is special. Personally prefer to see it in winter, too: can be pretty suffocating in summer.

It’s definitely something of an ’oops’ scenario. They meant well, at least.
Yes, it would have been me giving tips on Berlin, glad it worked well with Schlachtensee. DH is out swimming in Krumme Lanke right now, he swims every evening in summer. I don’t know how he puts up with the clouds of weed smoke.

Deffo worth it.

@CosyNavyLeader Yes. You need to think how you get from airport to hotel! My preferred method is via a boat but check this in winter.

You also need to be prepared for flooding. St Marks Square does I’m afraid. Don’t go out to any other island as you don’t have time. Stay central and look at major sights. Walking is easy and it’s atmospheric. Check winter opening hours. I’d try and go earlier on the Friday though as you will only have Friday evening and then Saturday and a bit of Sunday. So plan very carefully for the Saturday!

Sorry to jump on your post but has anyone been during Easter holidays. Planning a trip to Venice or budapest second week of.April, first child free trip in 16 years 🙈

I've been in the Easter hols (not easter weekend itself). Weather was perfect apart from a bit of rain one day.
I love Venice and would never miss an opportunity to go (apart from July/August).

There's a lovely cat bookshop, not sure if that was mentioned upthread, totally worth a visit if you like books and cats.

If you’re going in January, make sure to take wellies as it will flood. They build walkways to help, but even our hotel restaurant flooded when we went one November. Venice is gorgeous, but better in spring or autumn. Also, by the time you’ve faffed about getting to and from the airport, checked in and out, etc., you’re really short of time.

@mummyof2boys30. Easter hols should be ok. Warming up! I definitely prefer it to Budapest in terms of museums, buildings, art, atmosphere and magic! The vistas are to die for and you can see why artists loved it.