Ideas for a 4th day in Venice

Your first three days are packed! I would spread existing itinerary to four days. However, we love Bassano del Grappa! Our first trip there we saw a reunion of Alpini Division soldiers, Tyrolean influenced uniforms. We spent two weeks in Cannaregio one trip so my reaction is that you are shortchanging it.

I, too, like to have a plan but I try to leave room to move things around if we are tired, something is closed, the weather doesn't appeal.

Your first morning in particular seems very crowded to me. You have no time for a lunch break in there, either. Maybe more teh Doge's Palace to the afternoon, give yourself some time to rest before dinner, and do Cannaregio on your 4th day. Also bear in mind anything you do not get to do the first 3 days can be slipped to day 4.

I recall you need a reservation for the Doge's Palace Secret Itinerary (not sure on the name as it has been years) but it is a very interesting tour.

We found the Lido a bit scarce on restaurant options one October we ventured there. "Off season" of course. You might have better luck planning your lunch on the Zattere.

Have you been to Venice? Your penciled in itineraries are pretty tight. Doable, but only if everything falls into place exactly as you have it lined up and I suspect some of it will not. You won’t be dealing with the crowd crush of summer/fall, but you may want to add in time to sit and watch Venice pass by. And meals are meant to be enjoyed not an afterthought as we as Americans tend to make them! So, don’t shortchange the time meals might take if you are doing sit down and I so hope you are!
Even as compact as Venice is, it still takes time to traverse from one sestiere to another-no straight lines you know- plus the fact of getting lost being one of the best ways to experience Venice.
I agree that your three day plan could easily be all 4 days. There will certainly be the OH! We need to stop in there or see this or where does that street go? experiences that you can’t pencil in. A little more space, a little more time. You really will not have to worry about the “What do you want to do? I don’t know. What do you want to do?” situation in Venice.

Sounds pretty rushed and packed to me. With this itinerary I fear no time to catch the spirit of this beauty.

Agree totally with posters above who suggested spreading your 3 day plan over 4 days. Doing so will allow you to enjoy unexpected things that come up that you would do. It will also give you some elbow room to handle unexpected snags that arise. Venice is a place to be savored, not gulped. Slow down a bit and you'll probably enjoy the visit a lot more. Just our two cents worth.

I'll just add a bit. I agree with all the others that particularly your first day is too packed.

I did the Doge's Palace Secret Itineraries tour in October (and yes you do need to book ahead). The tour guide takes you in to very small rooms and cramped stairways with little air flow. The tour I was on had about 25 people and we were really smushed into some of them. IF you have any concern about Covid, this is a time to wear a mask. Mostly there is no place to sit on the tour and you might be ready for a sit down lunch after that.

Since you are taking the train from Milan to Venice on Day 1, I'd move the Doge's Palace to another day since you'd need to book a timed entry for this venue. Especially move it if you decide to do the Secret Itineraries guided tour. BTW, after the Secret Itineraries you can re-enter the public areas you did not see on the behind the scenes tour.

Even if you don't enjoy museums, the museum area in St Marks I found really interesting. The thing about St Marks is that it's decorated inside with mosaics. In the museum you can see the mosaic work up close which I found fascinating. From the museum you can also go out onto the walkway with an awesome view of St Mark's Square and the water.

I'm glad you split the Lido off from the Murano etc day.

We were in Venice for 4 nights and didn’t do as much as you have proposed. We got lost. A lot at first and there was no way we would have been able to keep to your tight schedule.

You are also not taking into account how long you can spend in line. And that you may spend quite awhile waiting for a vaporetto.

I would spread out your first two days over three. Two things we enjoyed that I do not see on your list are visiting the fish market-we were staying in an apartment and bought fish and vegetables for dinner. We also went to San Giorgio Maggiore and went up in the tower there on the advice of an Italian friend. You have to take a vaporetto there but the view looking back on Venice is marvelous. We did that instead of St Mark’s .

Rialto market on Mondays is very quiet. No fish. Better on Tuesday maybe.

Maybe Tre Oci photo gallery on Giudecca
Foundation Querini Stampalia
Olivetti showroom.
Biennale
Picnic on Certosa
Bus ride to Pellestrina
San Giorgio campanile

Walking times from place to place can be quite long; you will get lost.

Thanks so much to all of you for your feedback. I must say I am surprised and glad I asked! I didn't think it was that fast!

I am now planning to spread out the first two days to 3. I've found that sometimes we are faster travelers than others while other times we are slower, so we will plan for slow and then add something in if we feel the need.

Is it really that different to see the Rialto market on a Monday vs Tuesday? We won't be purchasing fish so thought it wouldn't matter.

For Doge's Palace, we won't be doing the secret itineraries tour as the steep, tight stairways at a quick pace would be difficult for my Mom so we will tour on our own.

Pam- I must ask - what is the concern with booking this on the day we arrive by train? I realize the train could be canceled but I thought the freccia trains were pretty reliable?

I will likely add a stop at San Giorgio Maggiore as well.

Thanks everyone for your help once again!

PQ

The Rialto market ex fish is just fruit and vegetables. Not all that interesting, unless you are buying food. There is a butcher there who does horseflesh.

You might want to get a Chorus Pass soon after you arrive, and see the churches on it in the course of your stay.

For a unique experience, you could try Row Venice, which is a 90 minute rowing lesson on the back canals, for both you and your mom together, about 100 euros total, starting around the Cannaregio area. We liked this much better than the 30 minute gondola ride, for about the same price. They also have a sunset, happy hours tour, which we haven't done.
Also in the Cannaregio area is the Church of the Madonna dell'Orto , noted for the art of Tintoretto, among others.
The bell tower view across from St Marks square is really worth the trip, and the short vaporetto ride.
You don't mention taking the time to shop - not that we travel to shop, but the interactions with the shopkeepers are always part of my memories.
Have a great trip!

I'll see if I can move the market to another day!

Pat- I actually did look into Row Venice after seeing some posts on here, but it's definitely outside Mom's comfort zone and I think for this first trip we both really want that traditional Venetian experience of a gondola ride at sunset.

I'm not sure the Chorus Pass would be worthwhile for the handful of churches we plan to pop into?

Finally, YES there will most definitely be time for shopping! One of the things we love most is popping in and out of little shops. I'm hoping the routes I have in my head through Dorsoduro and Cannareggio, as well as Campo Santa Margherita will have some interesting shops.

Thank you all!

PQ

How does this new itinerary look folks?

Day 2: Sunday, March 19th - VENICE
7:15am: Train departs Milano Centrale for Venezia Santa Lucia
- Arrive in Venice 9:45am, 2 min walk to hotel La Locanda di Orsaria
- Buy 72 hour vaporetto pass (or 1 week, 20 euro more)
10:45am: Take Vaporetto #1 from the Ferrovia stop down the Grand Canal to the San Zaccaria stop (should we go to Arsenale stop instead to find lunch in Castello?
Walk back along Riva degli Schiavoni to St. Mark’s Square
- Lunch
- Bridge of Sighs
12:45pm: Explore St. Mark’s Square (Rick Steves’ self-guided tour)
1:30pm: Tour Doge’s Palace
3:30pm: Walk to Campo Santa Margherita
- Pass La Fenice Theatre, cross Accademia Bridge (20 mins)
- Signor Blum
- Ca’ Macana Original (Mask shop)
- end at Campo Santa Margherita
6:00pm: Gondola Ride (sunset 6:20pm) - do we need cash? 100 euro
- Is this a good area? Side canal
7:00pm: Dinner
Back to hotel

Day 3: Monday, March 20th -VENICE
knees and shoulders must be covered, no large bags
Sleep-In
9:00am: Take vaporetto to San Marco stop
10:00am: St. Mark’s Campanile
- Go to the top (via elevator) - book tickets
11:00am: St. Mark’s Basilica - can we purchase skip the line tickets in March?
Lights come on at 11:30-12:30
Sometimes there are daily tours at 11:30am - check schedule once inside
Pay extra inside for museum (must do) and two other areas
See original bronze horses
Go on the outdoor balcony
12:45pm: Take #1 vaporetto from San Marco to S.M.E Lido stop
- Walk to beach (15 mins)
- Put feet in the Adriatic!!
Take vaporetto 5.2 from Lido S.M.E to Zattere stop (20 mins)
2:00pm: Dorsoduro walk
Lunch near the Zattere
Fondamenta Zattere (boardwalk)
Santa Maria delle Rosario
Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute
Accademia Bridge
4:45pm: Head to Caffe Florian
5:00pm: Orchestras at Caffe Florian - need reservation?
7:30pm: Dinner - where?

Day 4: Tuesday, March 21st - VENICE
Get an early start!
Murano, Burano, Torcello

Day 5: Wednesday, March 22nd - VENICE
8:30am: Rialto Market
9:00am: Explore Cannareggio
- Libreria Acqua Alta - “unique” book store
- Gelato Suso (opens 10:30am)
- Chiesa Di Santa Maria dei Miracoli
- Calle Varisco - Venice’s narrowest “street”
- Strada Nova - main “street”
- Explore the side streets, alleyways, stopping along the way
- Jewish Ghetto

Free Afternoon
San Giorgio Maggiore?
Anything we’ve missed

I'm hoping this looks better now! I should mention that some of these "stops" are pass by only, more so landmarks we'll pass along the way, while others we'll pop into. We won't be interested in exploring into the depths of the churches. Does this still seem too packed?

Is the area near Campo SM a good spot for a sunset gondola?

Thank you all!

PQ

When you walk Dorsoduro you can pass by Squero di San Trovaso - a unique place in Venice.
And since you are near San Zaccaria anyway you could visit the church and its flooded Crypt.
San Giorgio Maggiore is a dream and I would rather visit the top of the Campanile there.
What about Scala Contarini del Bovolo? You could climb up this amazing staircase as well and enjoy the view.

Maybe when you are near Rialto Market area, go to Tedeschi’s department store balcony for a 360 view of the lagoon for FREE and great photo opportunities. You need advanced reservations, about 30 days ahead of time. But it’s an amazing view. Nice place for restroom and cute area downstairs for a snack or drink. Enjoy!!

San Giorgio Maggiore is well worth the short trip across to it’s island.
The view from the top of the tower there is wonderful.
If I remember correctly, there is an art museum round the back of the church facing Venice proper.

Shawn, you mentioned Tedeschi's department store rooftop reservations. I found this link for DFS stores, to reserve the rooftop, I'm assuming it's the same thing but it looks like they only book up to 3 weeks in advance (everything after March 13 is grayed out)
https://www.dfs.com/t-fondaco/rooftop-terrace-booking/booking/terrace_venice_en.html

Can someone confirm that I'm looking at the same place? If so, I will just keep checking til the 4th week of March opens up.
Thank you.

I'm also planning Venice 3 days in late April.
My question is about booking the MUSEUM PASS in advance. I see how to do it, but no where does it mention dates of travel. Before i buy, is it an open date pass that kicks in whenever you use it the first time?

"Pam- I must ask - what is the concern with booking this on the day we arrive by train? I realize the train could be canceled but I thought the freccia trains were pretty reliable?"

So sorry I didn't see your question! I'm quite risk averse and to me booking a site on an arrival day is chancy even if you are coming in by train. With Venice you also have figuring out the vaporetto system (although in re-reading your latest post it looks like you are near the train station). Just too many moving parts for me to be comfortable with paying for an entry I might miss. You do have quite a bit of time built in for a late train so you should do what feels comfortable to you!

Regarding the department store terrace reservations. Is there a fee? Do reservations fill quickly in May or can you reserve spur of the moment. It sounds lovely!

Is there a fee? Do reservations fill quickly in May or can you reserve spur of the moment.

No fee and I would make reservation immediately when it is possible - I think it was 3 weeks before.

It was disappointing that it was only 15 minutes on the Tedeschi rooftop, but it was soooo worth it. We went at the very last booking for the evening. It was regulated then to get everyone off the roof. I’m not sure how closely they keep track of visitors for the earlier bookings.

And it is free!

Hi all: yes, the department store terrace is a free reservation. It isn’t too far in advance but don’t wait until the last minute, esp in peak times. I went around 2pm in mid June and the timing once you’re outside wasn’t strictly regulated, (only the timing of your entry, passing through the double doors). You wait in a sort of waiting area for your time slot. The view really took my breath away. Other tourists will take your photo for you (instead of a selfie)! Enjoy!