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3 days in Venice

Posted by (San Francisco Bay Area) on

My twelve year old son and I will be spending three days in Venice this June. I have put together a tentative plan for those days. Does this sound reasonable?

--Arrive Tuesday at train station mid-day and check in to hotel (these are booked)
--Wednesday begin with Grand Canal Tour, tour St. Mark's and Dogge, then take evening food tour (begins at 5:15pm)
--Thursday do Row Venice, tour Guggenheim and end with gondola ride.
--Friday go to Murano and Burano and then to the Opera (tickets already purchased, 7pm start time)
--Depart Saturday morning (train tickets already purchased)

We are both planners by nature so I'm okay with most of our time being more or less planned out, but I don't want to be crazy busy running from one thing to the next. Am I trying to cram too much in? If so, what would you cut? (My son has specifically requested the Grand Canal tour and the gondola ride so those need to stay. And the gondola ride really needs to happen on Thursday as it is his birthday and he asked for this.)

Thanks for any help!

Posted by
11852 posts

I think it is a fine plan. Do you have advanced entry booked for St.Mark's? It's a time saver. Will you take a tour of the Doge's Palace or just self-guide?

Leave early for your island day. We usually head out by 9:00AM. The shops on Murano open at 10:00.

Posted by
102 posts

Thank you! I haven't quite gotten to museum tickets and such yet, but I'm hoping to book those in the next few days as I firm up our plans. I'm debating a guided tour for the Dogge. I think I saw something in Rick Steve's guidebook about a tour that wasn't very expensive so we might do that.

Posted by
15798 posts

It does seem like Row Venice (if that's learning to row a gondola) and then a gondola ride is overkill. Row Venice sounds much more interesting.

I enjoyed the Secret Itineraries Tour at the Doge's Palace. You must book in advance as there are few tours and small groups. It can get hot, so book the earliest tour offered. Other than that, I think the audio tour is sufficient.

Definitely watch the time on Friday. You will probably want to go to your hotel to drop your day packs at least, before the opera. It can take a long time to get around by vaporetto. Or maybe switch the Thursday and Friday itineraries so go out to the islands without time pressure.

Posted by
102 posts

Thanks! I'm going to double check with him, but my son did specifically request a gondola ride on his birthday. It would be easy enough to drop if he decides Row Venice was sufficient after all. Row Venice is apparently a slightly different kind of boat. . . .

Posted by
15798 posts

That puts a different light on things. (missed that on first read) He should definitely get his wish. Since the gondola ride doesn't need to be booked in advance, you can make that decision once you're in Venice. It does sound like that should be after the Row Venice experience.

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