Venice

You might want to use the RS walks in Venice that are detailed in his guide books. I think he also has an audio guide you can download to go along with the walks. Unless it is very bad weather, the gondolas do operate on Sunday.

Thank you. I was starting to stress. Not good.

download the FREE Rick Steves app - then go to the Venice, Florence, Rome section - there are SO MANY walking tours on it for Venice - they are all excellent -

Gondolas run on Sundays if you want to do a gondola ride but more importantly to transportation the vaporetti (the water buses) run as well. Google maps does a pretty good job of getting you around Venice either walking or using the vaporetti to get from one place to another. There is also an app specific to the vaporetti if you want one.

Here is decent interactive map - around the island itself the lines 1, 2, 5.1 and 5.2 are the most useful. Validate your vaporetto pass at the line gate every time you get on.
https://www.visit-venice-italy.com/water-bus-venice-line-1.html

If you want some of the gondola experience without the price use traghetto to cross the canals - 2e for tourists.
https://maps-venice.com/maps-venice-transport/traghetto-venice-map

Have a great tip, Venice is amazing,
=Tod

We will use RS and all of your suggestions. Is a vrbo flat 20 minute bus ride sensible.

Not sure what you are asking?
About location of a VRBO?

If you have to ride a bus for 20 min then it is not actually in/on Venice proper

If you're suggesting staying outside Venice itself there are many forum discussions - such as this one:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/where-to-stay-outside-of-venice

The overwhelming consensus is that staying in Venice itself is part of the experience.

Have a great trip,
=Tod