Venice for 2 nights

I only have two must-sees, the St. Mark's Cathedral and the Doge's Palace are both fabulous. You should also take the time one night to dance on St. Mark's square (free if you don't sit down or order a drink, if you do it'll be at least 20 euros) to the orchestra music provided by the cafes.

You also may like to see some of the great mask shops in Venice. Gondola Ride is a Must (we paid 62 euros [long story] for family of 5, about 45 min ride), even if its so you just dont regret not doing it. Walk and shop; shop and walk. Its a great place to get lost. Restaurants, Id just walk and see what people were eating and how good it looks. If its full of people and the price is not crazy, stop in for a meal.

St. Marks Square is a must, and you can see that day or night. The bell tower doesn't take long if you get there right at 9:00 a.m. when it opens - go up and have a great view of Venice from there. The Doge's Palace is very cool but it's a long tour; still, you don't want to miss it. I wasn't impressed with the inside of St. Marks but I didn't hit the museums in there, just the basillica interior. I loved the lagoon tour, especially Burano. Murano was ok and Torcello was unique.

Take the grand canal ride on the vaparetto at night for a wonderful way to end the evening. The lights on the water are beautiful. You can get off at the Rialto and walk across it - also a very nice setting.

A must is the Doge's Palace and St Marks. Follow the books advice on saving times in the line ups as it really does work!! We bought our Doge's Palace ticket at the Correr Museum (no line) and walked right up to the front of the HUGE lineup at the Doge's Palace.
WE were there for 2 nights in May and didn't feel rushed. Venice is small and very easy to get around. The crowds of people might make you grateful that you were there for only 2 nights!

Yes Palace and Bascillica are a must. There is a self guided audio tour of the palace I would recommend. I thought it was very good and you get to cross the bridge of sighs twice. Go about 12.30 St Marks when they illuminate the gold ceiling.

Yes sitting in St Marks square at a cafe listening to the bands while having a drink isn't cheap but
then it is something special. You are charged for the drink and a surcharge for the entertainment.

As for restaurants I enjoyed Taverna S.Trovaso Di Cassan Giorgio & C. Snc in Dorsoduro - very good and inexpensive restaurant, a very short walk from the vaporetto stop at Accademia. It is super popular so best to book.

Also there are several restaurants along the waterfront in Fondamente Zattere al Ponte Longo and Zattere a Gesuti. I didn't get the name of the one I ate at but again a very good meal and quite reasonably priced. I just tried one that I liked the look of.

You have all given me great ideas! Thank you so much for your suggestions.

Linda, if you're in the mood for a "splurge", you might consider stopping at Harry's American Bar to try a Bellini (where I believe they were invented). They're quite expensive (about €15 each, as I recall), but I found it really interesting to just sit and enjoy the "ambience".

Cheers!

See Duomo San Marco (St. Mark's Cathedral) when the lights are on. They turn them on for masses and some other times. When lit, the gold glass tiles look like the entire place is made of gold.

The best restaurant we visited was off the beaten path. It was packed in the evening and was run by an Asian family. Great food and great prices. Never even looked at the name of the place, sorry.

Linda,
You asked about "Muro". Did you mean "Murano"? If so, it is a sperate island where most of the real glass blowing is done. Burano is another very pretty island close to Murano and both can be gotten to via a regular vapporetta. But, going to them will take at least a half day and you will be rushed. They are worth a visit if you can squeeze it it. Look into getting a vapporetta pass -- you may save a few bucks depending on how many rides you take. Do take a gondola ride from ONE OF THE BACK STREETS -- much cheaper. Hope this helps. TC

Try to see Piazza San Marco when the hordes of day trippers are not there (before 9:00 AM - after 5:00 PM). Tour the side streets and piazzas during the day which will be almost deserted and then hit the tourist sites in the evening. San Marco is a must see but you don't have to see it along with 5000 other people. Plenty of excellant restaurants on the piazza away from the attractions. If the menu is in Italian and filled with locals you know it will be good.