just back from venice

Todd, just keep coming back to this board. There's no shortage of questions about Venice, Florence and Rome that you can share your experiences on.

Did you tour St Marks Basilica and Doges Palace? Did you use audio guide or tours? Any recommendations for good places to eat? Thanks

We toured the basilica on our own w/ricks guidebook leading us. We took the secret itineraries tour for doges palace which I will recommend highly. Food was not the hi-lite. Could not find some places and the one beer garden in ricks book did not open till later. Most restaurants do the double, coperto and tax!

Hi Todd, Hope your trip was fantastic! What is the secret itineraries tour? I have heard of it before . . . sounds intriguing -- maybe I would like to include it in our trip. Thanks,
Ruth

The regular doge's palace tour is self guided through many rooms, including crossing over the bridge of sighs. The secrets tour is guided (English offered several times a day) and takes you through some of the back rooms and tells a nice story about the prisoner casanova. More importantly to history buffs, it tells how Venice was governed and the role of the Doge. This part is really interesting and shows how Venice was able to function for so long. When the tour is finished, you can then join the self-guided tour and cross the bridge of sighs as well.

Todd, can you give us an update on what is being restored in Venice? I know that the Campanile has scaffolding around the base, but how about the rest of San Marco Piazza?

Todd, were you there on a Sunday at all? I plan to be in Venice for a weekend (arriving Saturday, leaving Sunday) but am a little concerned about things being closed on Sunday. Do you think that would be an issue?

As for things being worked on. I only saw the campanile. The bridge of sighs was free from scaffold. As for sunday, we left the train station for Florence at 10 in the morning, so we didn't see any sights. We were able to move about quickly and freely. Saw most sights and churches. Venice has to be the best city for wandering and just enjoying all the bridges and little nooks! ENJOY!

Todd, Where did you purchase your tickets for the Doges Palace secret tour? Did you do it before you left home or after you got there? Thanks,
H

todd, did you buy a "museum pass"? if so, which one? how much? and where did you buy it at? thanks!

There's so much more to Venice than the Rialto and San Marco (although they are both pretty amazing). Here are some photos I took on a couple of trips that capture some of the qualities of this Magical Venice. Happy travels.

Thank you, Todd.
Michael, your photos are wonderful! I especially like the Rialto bridge at night. Ruth

No, we did not buy a museum pass. I did not feel we would see enough sights and keep flexibility on where we wanted to go. We toured the Secret Doge's tour, guggenheim, went up the bell tower at the church in giudecca, and the Frari. We walked in the della salute church in dorsudoro, murano, and did the Rialto to Frari walk, Rialto to St. Marks walk, walked to San Zachariah, and made our own walk from Rialto to the 3rd bridge by Accademia. There is still much for us to see, but seeing museum after museum of Venician Art was not our main priority this trip. Walking and enjoying the amazing streets, bridges, and uniqueness of Venice!

Another thank you for posting your amazing photos.
I'm really looking forward to my trip to Venice.