Venice and Florence: good free attractions/churches and musuem pass

Posted by Jenny (Seattle, WA, USA) on 08/04/09 10:01 PM

Hi, we are going to Venice & Florence this summer. I heard it's pretty easy to get lost in Venice. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good detailed Venice map? Also is there a fee for Basilica San Marco? What are the good free attractions (i.e. churches to be specific) in Venice & Florence?

Is there a Venice museum pass available for purchase? I was reading the tour guide book and saw there is a 12 Euro for entry to "all civic museums" in Venice, is this a museum pass? what museums does this cover?

Thanks.

Posted by Ken

Vernon, Canada

08/04/09 10:18 PM

32214 posts

Jenny,

There are some basic Maps shown in both the Italy and Venice Guidebooks. I often enlarge and photo copy these on a letter-sized sheet of paper, and place that inside a plastic sleeve. Rick's Italy planning map also includes a city map of Venice on the back.

Given your home location, you might want to stop by ETBD headquarters in Edmonds as you'll be able to look at the books and maps to see if they might be useful for you. Rick's staff will be able to answer any questions.

Don't worry too much about getting lost in Venice. While it's possible to "get lost", it's also easy to find your way again. I've had to ask locals and other tourists for directions in the past. There are lots of signs indicating directions (ie: per San Marco). Once you get used to those, you'll probably find it fairly easy to get around.

Good luck!

Posted by Michelle

Vicenza, Italy

08/04/09 11:10 PM

319 posts

Getting lost in Venice is simple, but a pleasure. Rick's book has a great philosophy about getting lost in Venice. Read it and take it to heart. Navagating in Venice is really a point to point system. There are yellow signs on buildings all over the city. They will point you in the direction of major sites. Great free sites in Venice are: the Basilica, people watching, exploreing the market by the Rialtto Bridge in the early-ish morning. There are museum passes, but I don't know what the details...check an up to date guide book.

Posted by Chris

Puyallup, WA, USA

08/05/09 12:59 AM

881 posts

Hi, Jenny. Don't worry about getting lost in Venice - it's an Island, sooner or later you'll get back to where you know you are.

Free Stuff: Rick's free audio tour here on the site is fantastic. I did it with my family in May, and it was perfectly timed with just the regular canal water bus. It was a really inexpensive way to see the city!

http://www.veniceconnected.com/ FOr the city pass.