Venice points of interests/restaurants

I'll be a bit different. We really like the art in the Doge's Palace. So much different from the Madonna Con il Bambino art in Florence. I recommend renting an audio set and taking your time going through. It's really quite a building. We didn't do the secrets tour but that's supposed to be great as well.

Second, we really enjoyed the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. I didn't think I would like all of that cubism, abstraction, futurism and other stuff but it was really fascinating (I still don't like the Jackson Pollacks in the collection). I even bought a Kadinsky tie in the museum shop next door.

Third, the nice window shopping walk from the clock tower in St. Mark's square to the Rialto bridge. Some of the best name-brand stores on the planet.

Fourth, Murano/Burano. There's a new 20-minute DM (Directo Murano) vaporetto to Murano from the Piazzale Roma.

For your 72-hour stay, you might want to purchase a 48-hour or 72-hour tourist travel card. 26Euro for the 48hr and 31Euro for the 72hr. Unlimited rides on the vaporettos (including Murano and Burano) as well as the land buses on Lido and Mestre. You'll really enjoy just jumping on the vaporettos. So easy.

I agree the Doges' palace tour (including the Bridge of Sighs, and prison next door) is a must see. The interior of St. Marks is extraodinary too. I also love the islands of Murano & Burano, and I'd also add a visit to the island of Torcello - lovely old church there with a wonderful primitive mosaic wall (climb the tower too) Rick recommends visiting it later in the day after all the tour groups have gone to have it virtually to yourself--really the original Venice. Plus you get an experience of being on the water, if you don't opt for a gondola ride (which is great, particularly at sunset or night - but very pricey). Also you must experience the musicians playing in St. Mark's square in the evening, and just walking the city back alleyways and canals, so it is a must to stay in the city. It is unbelievably beautiful.
Consult Rick's guidebook for restaurant recommendations.

I too enjoyed the Guggenheim. It holds a couple of interesting Rene Margritte paintings.

I could not tell you how to get there but the food at La Zucca was excellent and reasonably priced. It's a tiny place and we enjoyed sitting outside. I think it's in the Santa Croce neighborhood.

We spent two full days in Venice and did not go into one of the above. We had a great time walking the streets and talking with the shop keepers and the mask makers. We did do the boat to Morano and got to see one of the glass blowing acts they do for the tourists. Seems the true masters don’t work in the public eye. Oh, we did a gondola ride too, that’s a must. Food: try eating with the Pigeons at the McDonald’s

Doges palace and St Marks - go to the Cathedral around 12.30 when they illuminate the gold ceiling - gives a totally different perspective to it. I really enjoyed sitting in St Marks square at the Florian cafe enjoying a glass of wine and listening to the quartet at sunset. Vaporetto ride down the Grand Canal at sunset or just after, and just walking the streets any time of day window shopping.

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. Turn right as you leave the stop and keep veering. Once you get to a small canal head down to the first bridge and you will be in front of the restaurant. 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 on that I liked the look of.

Hi Beth,
You could take the Vaporetto No.1 (I think that's the right number)- it goes all the way along the Grand canal and you get a real view of the city. We were lucky enough to get seats at the front- it was wonderful!
Have a great trip!

It's more than worth it to buy the RS Venice 2008 book. It's full of way more information than you could get on this site. (No offense, everyone.) And ask at your hotel/B&B for restaurant recommendations. They'll likely have a map that they can use to show you how to get there - not an option for this site.