Hey all! I have a client who wants to "get out of Venice" during the day but does not want to do the toursity islands of Burano and Milano (unless you all convince me it's worth it and I can convince him). They want to go "off the beaten path" but they know that those two are no longer in that category. Also, I'd LOVE restaurant recommendations in Venice for their anniversary - maybe a rooftop dining experience for a moderate to high budget?
Also, any experience renting a car in Tuscany (only to drive and explore countryside - not Florence or other big cities). They want to spend some relaxing time there but I'm thinking renting a car is the most convenient way to do this?? (I know it's not the best idea to drive in ANY big Italian city....it would just be for countryside exploration unless you all have better recommendations).
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7225 posts
There’s plenty of experience here renting a car for Tuscany
A search of this forum will bring up dozens of posts
Be sure to use the filters for Type and Date in your search
Make sure all drivers have the required IDP
Lots of day trips from Venice-Padua,Verona, Vicenza…
Posted by
539 posts
It may sound macabre, but the cemetery on Isola San di Michele is very cool. It’s beautiful, tons of history and blessedly uncrowded. I would absolutely recommend it; especially if they are at all into photography. You can wander or arrange for a local guide.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16133 posts
Murano and especially Burano are not too bad even in peak season, especially when compared to the historical center of Venice which is jam packed in all main spots (you have to move away from San Marco, Rialto bridge, and the calli near the Grand Canal to have fewer crowds).
Posted by
martinez, ca, usa
2418 posts
hey hey Laura
when is this trip, have you or client been to venice before, do they have hotel booked, flying into venice and do they have transportation figured out from airport to hotel? how many is we and how many days? remind them that it is jubilee 2025, expecting millions of people from all over the world. rome will be packed like a can of sardines, hopefully breathing room, you will be shoulder to shoulder.
after people’s visit to rome many will travel all over italy, seeing the same places with more crowds (venice, florence, tuscany, rome, amalfi coast, cinque terre, lake como, dolomites, etc. it’s supply and demand, more expensive, many places booked
“Off the beaten path” is around but many don’t want to give away. there are many places to day trip as ChristineH has mentioned, also walk the back canals on cannaregio, take vaporetto to the lido, we did walked around, sat for glass of wine, people watched, conversed with residents with our hands (so funny & we all laughed but had great time), train short ride to treviso “home of tiramisu” (rossiwrites.com/treviso)
bus or train to nearby chioggia (old fishing village to roam around (mamalovesitaly.com/chioggia)
we also did a prosecco winery tasting along with lunch at small family restaurant up in the hills on prosecco road, train to susegana train station and guide/driver picked us up & off we went for 5+ hours in gorgeous countrysides.
schezzini.it (email alessandro, he does a chicetti tour (small local bites, wine & history)
mask making, food tour, cooking class
you or client do more research, then come back and ask more info. people here to help with options, in long run it’s your clients decision. good luck
aloha
Posted by
Massachusetts
1102 posts
I recommend San Lazzaro degli Armeni
Posted by
Bendigo, Australia
1297 posts
You might consider the island of Certosa in the lagoon. Or venicekayak.com is great.
Posted by
Rural Georgia
2201 posts
Hey all! I have a client...
I'm confused. What kind of services do you offer this client? Are you a travel agent?
Posted by
Portland, OR
291 posts
There's the high end Restaurant close to the Dock at Burano. Anthony Bourdain, and others, loved the Seafood Risotto.
But it is a more expensive place. There's a thread from a while ago on this Forum where a couple was shocked when they didn't get the price first. (Other forum members didn't consider it a scam.)