Venice : how to spend 1.5-2 days

Hello---the best thing to do after check-in would be to take a walk. Maybe walk east along Strada Nuova---a wide street in Cannareggio--- and then turn south toward the Rialto Bridge which should be quieter in early evening than at mid-day. Ascend the bridge and watch the boat traffic on the Grand Canal. You'll know you are really in Venice.

A good choice for dinner in Cannareggio, if you like casual places and seafood, is Paradiso Perduto. You can read reviews here:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187870-d2102004-Reviews-Paradiso_Perduto-Venice_Veneto.html

Your question about a pass for the "water taxi" suggests you are not aware of the Venice transport system. Water taxis are small private boats, very expensive to ride. The public transport system boat is called the vaporetto. These are large, the equivalent of a bus on the land. This is what you will take to go to Murano and back. ( Unless you join one of the "free" tours offered by the glass companies, which often include transport to Murano in a small boat. This is NOT recommended as the pressure to buy glass after the tour is extreme. People have described the feeling of being held hostage until they gave in and purchased an expensive piece of glass. So resist the free tours and go on your own).

A single-ride ticket on the vaporetto costs 7€. You will need one for each direction, to and from Murano, so 14€ each. For very little more, you could get a 24-hour pass and use it to ride down the Grand Canal after dark that evening to see the palazzi all lit up. Then you could walk over the Accademia bridge to Dorsoduro for dinner, and take a vaporetto back to the stop nearest your hotel. And you could ride the vaporetto again the following morning, before your departure, if you like. Maybe go to Piazza San Marco early ( around 8:00) to see it before it is crowded with people, and visit the basilica if you haven't already done so.

Last tip: You could time your departure from Murano back to Venice for sunset---really lovely and romantic, especially if you board first and sit outside.

I agree with the advice to just take a walk after your check-in.
Unless you REALLY want to see glass blown, I would skip Murano because it will take too much time getting there and back. Your entire afternoon may be tied up. But it is a nice ride in the lagoon. You can buy glass in Venice but make sure you check that it is real Murano glass. It really depends on your interests-you could visit the Doge's palace and the Duomo (unless that is part of your tour) or the PG museum. Or just wander. I would really try to visit San Marco plaza after dark and spend the $$ to sit and listen to the music. An afternoon/ evening gondola ride though expensive, is a great way to chill out and enjoy the atmosphere. I did not expect to take a gondola ride but was really glad I did. You can share the cost with other travelers. Vaparetto ride up the grand canal after dark is also nice.
Check the vaparetto schedule-you may not have the time you are thinking on your departure day.

Thank you for the replies especially the detailed one from Lola.

You are right that I thought water taxi and vaporetto were the same thing and I was wrong. I think I will roughly follow what you suggested to spend the time at Venice. Sound very sensible.

I am still keen to visit Murano and may have an afternoon tea or dinner there depends on what time I can get there and how much time to spend there.

Definitely take the elevator to the top of the bell tower, 360-degree views of Venice and the lagoon. It makes the maze of streets and neighborhoods make sense.

An acquaintance who travels to Italy routinely suggests planning a trip to Murano with meal times in mind, as the transport to and from takes some time. If you miss lunch hours, you are stuck until dinner.

I prefer the view from the bell tower of San Giorgio just across the water from S Marco instead of the super crowded and super busy S Marco Campanile. The one at S Marco is a modern replacement after the previous one collapsed about 100 years ago. The tower at S Giorgio is original, for the monks there. The lift is a bit rickety but that adds to the charm. I feel. The view of Venice and the lagoon is most excellent. Cheap, too.