Venice for the first time

You're in Venice now?

Burano is great - but it's not clear that you have time to see it. It takes a while (by vaporetto boat) to get out there and back. I probably wouldn't do it unless you had more time.

Doing a varporetto tour up the Grand Canal as Rick describes would be a great experience. I would walk too.

It's probably not going to save you much if any money to buy your train ticket to Siena this late - a few weeks ago maybe. You have to buy them at some point; I'd just buy them as soon as you can, as soon as you decide when you want to leave Venice. You'll want the fast Frecciarossa train from Venice (Venezia S. Lucia) to Florence (Firenze S. M. Novella ), connecting there to a regional train to Siena. Buy all on one ticket. Looks like about four hours total. See here for more details (use the Italian city names I've listed in parens above).

https://www.trenitalia.com/

Thank you. Any suggestions for our one night in Sienna ?
Thank you Mary

2 days is plenty. Do the Grand Canal, visit St. Marks and Doge’s Palace inthe morning. Take the vaporetto to Burano in the afternoon. The next day visit anything else that interests you

Wander. Let yourself get lost. Put away the smartphone and Google maps for a while and just take it all in.
If I only have a little time in Venice, I prefer to not spend it standing in line for a major tourist site.

Murano is great if you like glass. Burano is great if you like lace.
I enjoyed both places.

As for navigating, when you do have a set destination, Google maps works well. But even a printed map is sufficient in many cases.

Was in Venice in July for the first time as well. I read a lot of posts that suggested just getting lost and wandering around. We also stayed in Cannaregio in a little neighborhood. I didn't anticipate loving Venice, there are so many mixed opinions. We did the Doge's Palace and toured St. Marks but the best part of the trip was just wandering around. We found a bakery near by and got up every morning, walked through the quiet streets of the neighborhood and got our breakfast pastries. In the afternoon afternoon we would go the the little cafe and have a drink or two with a small bite. Located a few small restaurants for dinner and also made some meals at our apartment. I found that getting to know Venice by walking and enjoying where the day lead us was the best part. I wish we could have stayed longer, Venice was absolutely charming.

Are you aware that the trains to Siena do not go into the centre of town like most other Italian cities?
The station is two miles from the centre of Siena, so you will have to get a bus or walk uphill two miles.
Also, some trains have you change to another one part way, at Empoli, I believe.
It's easier to take a bus from Florence, from the bus station right next door to SMN train station where you will arrive from Venice.
That way it will take the same amount of time, be cheaper, and get you much closer to the centre of town, if that's where you are staying.

There is a long series of escalators from inside the store across the street from the Siena train station to the top of the hill --- it's then a walk of a few blocks to the gate in the medieval wall of Siena, and then about 15 minutes to the center of Siena along an interesting street with bars and shops and places to eat. It's definitely a walk, but not 2 miles uphill.

I am probably already too late with this, but the Doge’s Palace is a must-see for me. I have been to Venice four times and can’t resist a return visit. Vaporetti on the Grand Canal are going to be jam packed, if you want an enjoyable ride want to the train station and take it back from there in th evening. I found Murano very enjoyable and it’s much closer than Burano. St. Mark’s Basilica is also great, interior is lit up around midday which is specatular. Otherwise it’s too dark, but the upstairs museum is always worth a visit.

There is an escalator in Siena which makes the walk to the town center entirely manageable. You can buy a map from a machine at the top.

Thank you all for your suggestions and helpful tips One final question/s When taking the train to Sienna tomorrow is it best to take as far as it goes into Sienna and then bus as close we can get to our Airbnb or when we transfer( I hear we must do this), in Florence simply take the bs from Florence. Won’t I be paying double since my ticket would be into Sienna? Thanks in advance
Mary

Buy your train ticket to Firenze SM Novella. On arrival, buy your bus ticket to Siena. Bus is located outside the Florence station.

Maryalicia3, I'm glad you're getting answers to your questions. For others reading this thread, this is a great example of how a good guidebook can be so helpful. Rick's books address all these sorts of logistical questions. It's one of their real strengths.

Happy travels.