We are headed to Rome this week for 4 days, then 2 days in Florence/Tuscany and finishing with 2 days in Venice. We have a good sense of the 1st parts of the trip but are just trying to figure out what makes the most sense while we're in Venice. Guessing we will probably arrive mid afternoon. If we do a gondola ride that afternoon and just tour around Venice, then do the Doge's palace and secret tour the next morning, lunch in Venice and and afternoon vaporetto to Murano, does that sound like the right timing to folks that have been there?
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7305 posts
With such a short amount of time I'd skip the gondola ride and probably Murano unless you are big glass blowing enthusiasts.
Spend that first afternoon just wandering- do the RS walk and get lost.
We did enjoy Burano and the Secret itineraries was great.
But otherwise your timing seems fine
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15798 posts
I agree with Christina. Instead of an overpriced gondola experience, take the vaporetto rides - do the Grand Canal once after dark and once in the early morning mists. It will be quiet(er) and memorable, especially if you get places in the very front (not all vaporettos have them). Second choice, either standing in the boarding area or sitting in the very rear. Yeah it'll be chilly but the views are great. Rick has a good audio commentary for that ride.
Skipping the Basilica? The mosaics are a wow. Go up to the museum for close-up views of the mosaics and great views of the piazza and lagoon from the balcony.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12029 posts
If you do elect to do a gondola ride, do it in the early evening. Less boat traffic and more 'atmosphere'
Posted by
Truro, NS, Canada
3943 posts
Our very first trip we only had 2 days and on our arrival day arrived early afternoon. After getting to our room and sorting out, we decided to go to Murano. Well, it's a long-ish vaporetto ride - and we got there around 4-ish, not that long before before the stores started closing (and I believe this was a Fri). So it didn't take long before the place was a ghost town. If I could change anything about our first trip, I either would have gone earlier to Murano, or left it out, as it ate up a lot of travel time to not spend very long there. And there were so many other things we did see in Venice (luckily, we've been back 3 more times and are going back again this year).
Posted by
Greeley, co, usa
2620 posts
Take the gondola ride. The price is a very small portion of your total trip cost. You don’t mention seeing St. Mark’s but I assume you will. Given a choice between it and the Doge’s palace, I would choose St. Mark’s.
Posted by
Atlanta
5267 posts
Consider skipping Murano. It's a lovely place, but it will probably take more time than anticipated. Perhaps spending that time just wandering the back areas will be time better spent as that is one of the best thing to do when in Venice.
Posted by
Vancouver, WA
525 posts
Rather than Murano, take the vaporetto from San Zaccaria (San Marco) to San Giorgio Maggiore. It's closer than Murano, much less crowded than the San Marco area, and has a campanile (with elevator)--so you will have amazing views of the San Marco area! I believe there is also a small glass museum there if this is a priority for you.