My husband and I need to use flight credits by mid January, and we are thinking about going to Venice. He's never been, and I want to show him Venice, a city I love. We will have just over a week and a half. I'd like to stay in Venice at least 3-4 days. I like to savor a place, so we won't plan on many stops. Does anyone have any suggestions for this trip? We'd like some diversity, and we are excited about avoiding masses of tourists. We enjoy great food, natural beauty, history, art--including modern--and off beaten path experiences. We appreciate any suggestions!
Posted by
North Carolina
2499 posts
For modern art, I’d recommend the Peggy Guggenheim Museum, and also to check out what’s going on at San Giorgio Maggiore, which hosts the Cini Foundation. I caught an exhibit of Jaume Plensa sculptures there. Of course, it’s very worthwhile to go there even with no exhibits. The Palladio-designed church is beautiful, and you can take the elevator up the bell tower for magnificent views. It’s a beautiful time of year to be in Venice, but can be brutally cold - don’t skimp on the outerwear.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11798 posts
I love Venice in the winter. Have been there several times. Yes, it is cold (but not as cold as Minnesota in Jan when I grew up there!) and good, warm layers and boots are essential. But the crowds are light and the weather can be fabulous. A week there is not too long, IMO, to gorge on museums, day trip to Padova and Verona, and to use a sunny day to tour the Laguna islands.
The Museum of Modern Art in Ca’Pesaro is wonderful, in addition to the Guggenheim.
Beyond Venice you might look at Ravenna. The mosaics are truly amazing,
Posted by
Saint Paul, Minnesota
1592 posts
We've already spent two weeks in Venice (one of the weeks was in mid-December) and will be there again for 10 days this December, so, yes, since you also love Venice and I would be willing to bet that you have not "seen everything already" (which we haven't and few people have), stay for longer than 3 or 4 days.
You could either take a few day trips to Padua, Verona, and Treviso, or you could spend a few nights in one of these three or in Ravenna. Or Bologna or Ferrara. Both Verona and Bologna have their own airports, if that helps you plan an open-jaw flight.
I thoroughly recommend getting a week's vaporetto pass and staying in a neighborhood far from San Marco and in an apartment that is well-heated and not on the ground floor. Venice, like Florence, is more heavily touristed than ever now in spring, summer, and fall, so your being able to go in winter is an opportunity to grab hold of!
You'll have to decide whether to go before Christmas, include Christmas and New Years, or go later in January --- there are pros and cons to each time. One pro for going before Christmas is to be able to witness the hilarious boat race on the Grand Canal with the rowers all dressed like Santa Claus --- the Regata dei Babbi Natale seems to be usually the 2nd weekend in December.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Good people, thank you for your responses to this thread! We have decided that, since we will be visiting Argentina in April, we will remain in the states for this trip. We will take a road trip in New Mexico.
Thank you, again for the time you spent responding to this, and we WILL be going to Venice, so I will keep your responses!
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16616 posts
We will take a road trip in New Mexico.
From where, and in which month? Santa Fe is our very favorite small American city so I may be able offer up some help for that one as well as some drives/fun locations in the region. Time of year will make a difference, though, as parts are at high enough altitude to have snow/ice: we haven't yet traveled there during winter as we get enough of THAT here in Minnesota! Anyway, if wanting some pointers, just start a new post on the "Beyond Europe" forum. :O)
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Done! Thank you, Kathy. : ]