30th Wedding Anniversary in Venice - Recommendations

Congratulations! Have you considered a day in the lslands of Murano, Burano and Torcello? Makes for a lovely day exploring together. Rick Steves' guidebook has all the details on how to get there and a self-tour for each island. You can have a locely lunch on Burano. Plan for at least 6 hours for the whole day.

For dinner, we just ate a celebratory dinner at Osteria di Santa Marina. Very nice and I highly recommend it.

For something fun & unique, try rowing lessons in a boat similar to a gondola: http://rowvenice.org/

I know you want to see the "biggies" in Venice, but consider a short trip to San Giorgio Maggiore which is a five minute vap. ride from the San Marco Zaccaria M.V.E. stop. Go to the top of the bell tower (it has an elevator) and look back at the city of Venice. One of the truly great sights of the world and very few tourist (unlike the tower at San Marco). If you go to Murano you might want to check out a canal side spot for lunch. We have eaten at Ristorante dalla Mora several times and have always been pleased. On the island of Giudecca there is a big fancy hotel -- a Hilton I think. I've been told by a friend there is a restaurant named "Ciprianni" or something like that which is very high class (and expensive) that looks back at Venice and is a wonderful sight at night. I think they even have their own water taxi from the main island (could be wrong about that). From her description it sounds as if it would be great for a thirtieth anniversary. Haven't been there personally as it is a little pricy for us unless it is some special occasion. Check it out on google and see what you think. We've spent a good bit of time in Venice so let us know if you need specific info.

How about a bit of a taste of some Opera in an old mansion from Musica a Palazzo.

RS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5iFgVaAAos

I'm happy to see you will be doing a gondola ride at night!!

Many people think the gondola rides are over rated and more like "disneyland" - and certainly during the day I would agree. You will have crowds of tourists, cruise ship people and the gondolas ride through the water just like a ride in Disneyland.

But, at night, when it is quiet and all the people have left, we did our ride. We told the gondolier to take us down the small canals, deep into Venice. It was fabulous!! We could hear people talking, hear music playing, but otherwise we could just hear the swooshing of the water. It was very romantic- except that our teenager was with us!

Make sure you have time to just wander the little back alleys away from people!

The Giudecca restaurant TC describes is Cip's Club, the more "casual" of the two restaurants at the luxury Hotel Cipriani. See the website for photos of the terrace restaurant with views to San Marco.

http://www.belmond.com/hotel-cipriani-venice/cipriani_restaurants

Lola, have you been to Cip's Club? The picture looks amazing. I am going to be in Venice in July, also celebrating our 30th anniversary. We will be in Venice one night before our Croatia-Turkey-Greece cruise, and then 2 nights after before we come back home.

I haven't been thinking of doing the gondola because of the Disneyland factor, but am happy to hear that its good. Maybe I'll do it.

Craig, did you make a reservation? (and btw, Happy Anniversary!!!)

Julie---I have not been to Cip's Club because we book apartments for our time in Venice, which has ranged from 5 days to a whole month. We love this city. But we enjoy cooking and rarely go out---our apartment usually has a rooftop terrace with views over the rooftops. But that view from the Cip's Club terrace is indeed beautiful. And given the reputation of the hotel and restaurant ( it is a well-established luxury hotel), I would trust the quality of the food. If you are looking for a special place for your celebration, this might be a nice choice.

Note that there are some Venetian restaurants that are more highly regarded in terms of interesting food, but you will not have a waterfront location with view. For a celebration that is worth a lot.

Thank you Lola! I appreciate your insight. And to me, the view is the most important thing!!!

Something unique and fun - go kayaking.

Venicekayak.com Is great fun, a unique experience.

Julie & Lola: I have not yet made a reservation at Cip's Club. The reviews on Trip Adviser are very good. Menu looks fantastic. I thought that I'd get more recommendations for our 30th Anniversary. I'm still looking but I very well may select this restaurant.

Thank you,
Craig

This may sound like a stupid question, but I was planning on an evening gondola ride after dinner. Will the gondolas still be running after dinner? Should we do the gondola ride before dinner?

Thanks
Craig

Yes, the gondolas will be running after dinner. I'm not sure how late they run, but it's definitely until at least midnight.