Venice in a day-crazy or doable

DO IT! It's relatively small, Do St. Marks Square, the Doges, take your Gondola ride. If it's slim to never, why not! Many people day-trip to Venice, and it can get quiet at night because of this. It may not be on your bucket list, but it seems as though it's on your husband's.

Thanks, Donna. It's not really on his bucket list...it would be on whatever is the next thing after a bucket. Maybe a mug? Anyway, I feel much better doing the night there then. I was worried that it would be a waste of time. And it is a pretty costly overnight there so we wanted to be sure that it's worth the drive and stay. I appreciate the input!

Be careful. Our first visit to Venice was on a day trip from Verona (being so close we could not resist) and we've gone back six times for longer stays!

Well, you can't do it justice in one day, but I'll let you do this if you promise me one thing. WANDER AWAY FROM THE CROWDS! For at least a little bit of time. Otherwise you're going to be one of those daytrippers who gripes about how crowded Venice is when all they've seen is the Rialto and San Marco. Here's some of what I want you to see: Uncrowded Venice But don't try to do this on the same day as Peru. That would be silly. :-)

Doable! Just limit yourself to the following main sights, which I think can be fit in a day, albeit tightly: Gran Canal, take a vaporetto ride along the Gran Canal from the S.Lucia Station to San Marco. Piazza San Marco: see Basilica, Palazzo dei Dogi, Campanile and the Piazza itself Then walk back to the station and see if you can visit along the way: Accademia Rialto Bridge
Basilica dei Frari That's all folks, time's out!

Karen, thousands of cruise ship tourists do it every year. Of course it's doable and not crazy. Careful planning of your day will be essential and as you'll be there in October that will mitigate the crowds somewhat. Sounds like fun to me.

Thanks again, everyone! We are hoping that we'll be able to take advantage of the night and early morning hours. Also, we'll be there in September not October (hence the high prices...who knew that September 21-29 was some sort of high season...). I appreciate the feedback and don't feel badly about splurging on the room.

Oh, and as long as I am getting great suggestions...is there anything that is better to do at night? Like is the gondola ride better night/day/the same? Thanks again, all!

I do day trips there often, sometimes just to play tour guide for friends who are visiting the city. Admittedly you're not going to see everything in a day but you can definitely get a feel for Venice in one day.

Karen, Last trip to Italy, I wasn't planning on Venice either. My husband insisted on Venice and although we only spent 24 hours there, it was awesome, and we'll go back some day. We drove from Lake Como and arrived in Venice around noon. Parking is easy after the causeway, then a quick walk to the Vaparetto stop. We stayed on St. Marks square in the clock tower and it was great wandering the square in the evening and early morning without the crowds. The second day we were up around 8am and wandered until 2pm, then headed back to the car. Totally worth day. I was converted.

I'm sure the gondola ride at night is more romantic but I liked it during the day so you could see everything, especially the smaller back-alley canals and the houses there. What I liked in the evening was wandering around St Marks Piazza and the area nearby - I found that romantic. That's probably the best thing to do at night after a good dinner.

Last Easter week, we were staying at an agriturismo 20 miles south of Florence with a rental car. We got up early and headed 170 miles each way to Venice on a day trip. We've been to the Venice 5 or 6 times previously, and it's a must see when you're closeby. We parked in one of the large parking garages to the right across the causeway, and caught a vaporetto outside the garage to St. Marks.
Upon our getting home, we received notification from Hertz that an automatic camera/radar caught me speeding (somewhat) on the causeway. My credit card was charged for the ticket, and $44 service charge (Hertz' service charge.) And to think it was still a great day.

Just FYI, gondola prices go up a lot in the evening. If you do decide to do one, I suggest getting a gondola somewhere other than San Marco. (You can find them all over Venice.) It will be more romantic that way. The San Marco gondolas have to deal with all the boat traffic in front of the Ducal palace. Crazy.

Definitely worth it since you can spend the night. flro me, the best time in Venice is the dawn. I always get up early and watch the sunrise and the city wake up. Once there are a ton of people there it feels like a whole different city...so, if you can do it, go out, grab a cup of coffee and really enjoy yourself.

There is no place like Venice, do it! We took our gondola ride late at night through the small canals and it was magical. It was quite, except for music playing, locals talking, gondoliers yelling back and forth. All the sounds we wanted to hear rather than tourist crowd noise. There is enough lighting around to see buildings, bridges etc. to make it a beautiful view as well. Do a quick tourist visit then just wander away from the crowds for the rest of the time. You'll be happy you went, even for a quick trip.

Thanks, everyone! My husband is very excited although we were both let down when the little B&B I found emailed me this morning to tell me that there is a three night minimum that week. ::sad face:: Oh, well, I am sure that we'll find something. Thanks again!

DO IT!!! My favorite way to see Venice is to walk out of the train station and just wonder around with no idea where I am heading. Don't worry, eventually you will end up at crossing the Rialto bridge and finding your way to St Marks Square. It is almost impossible to get lost here. Lots of signs pointing you to St. Marks.