Looking at day trip to Venice from Florence and recommendations for guided tour of St Mark Basilica and other highlights. Is day trip feasible?
Yep. Done it many times, even before TAV (Treno Alta Velocita'). The train trip is just 2 hours and 5 min. nowadays. The first one will get you there at 10:35am. The last one Coming back to Florence departs at 7.25 pm. So potentially you could have almost 10 hours in Venice. From the station to San Marco its about 30 min (walk or vaporetto). Never taken a guided tour but you vcan visit piazza, campanile, basilica and palazzo dei dogi in just a 3 hours, all inclusive. You probably have time for a quick visit at the Accademia before walking back to the station and seeing the Rialto bridge and the Frari on the way back. Just dont waste too much time at a sit down restaurant at lunch or 3 hours will be gone just for that. Just have a quick lunch and have a big very late dinner when you get to Florence at 9:30pm. Italians eat late so restaurants will be open when you arrive.
Its a scosh over 2 hours each way, but sure, its doable. Max 8 hours in Venice.
We drove to Venice from outside Florence for a day trip, and it was 170 miles. You should be able to hit the highlights mentioned above with no problems. 8 or 10 hours in any tourist situation, and I've just about had it.
Once you've visited Venice, you'll be back. I think I've been there 6-7 times, but have really lost count.
Yes the RS app for the Grand Canal is very good as well, although the No 1 Vaporettos no longer have "front" seats.
My 2 cents...if you have an ipod or smartphone (I'm assuming you can get it for a smartphone...we have an ipod), we downloaded the Rick Steves app (although 2 people and only 1 set headphones...not so much fun...like being attached at the hip...or ears) and used his 'speaking' tour of St Marks Basilica and St Marks Sq (and also for Accademia in Florence). Informative, a little tongue in cheek (some bad jokes..lol)...you will notice things you may not have otherwise, and get a nice little history lesson...and you won't be following around someone holding up an umbrella/flag trying to keep up. Other 'tours' avail as well...
Thank you!!
Definitely take the train. The lowest price tickets (super economy) become available four months minus a day before the travel date. So if you're traveling on June 15, the tickets become available March 16. They're often snapped in a day or two. As for guided tours, you might consider Context Travel. Their group size is limited to six people, and they get great reviews: http://www.contexttravel.com/city/venice/all-walking-tours/
Michelle - my husband are considering the same thing. Michael - can you remember about how much it costs to day trip to Venice from Florence? we're too late for the super cheap fare (we'll be in Florence the third week in April), but it would be nice to have a basis for comparison when I start searching for tickets. Thanks!