venice suggestions

Apart from your hotel, you can just wander and enjoy...but I would do enough research to know what to look for...there is so much to see, but you could miss a lot through poor planning.

Other than the hotel. The only thing that might need pre booking. Would be the singing gondola tour of the canals. My understand that usually books in advance. Provided of course, you wanted to do that. It's a great place to just wander. Have fun. I love Venice. It's my second favorite place. The hotel staff in Paris were jealous we were going on to Venice.

Reserve your hotel for sure and do not have sticker shock when you see the nighly rates. Eventho it is expensive there is no other city like it in the world! Go and enjoy in summer months you will need air cond for sure. It is stifling w/o it.

The best part of Venice is wandering-especially away from the main tourist areas. The only thing I have pre-booked is the Secret Itineraries tour of the Doges Palace. I did this when I was last there in June and really enjoyed it even though I had seen the public areas of the palace on a previous visit. If you like music, try to attend a Vivaldi concert one night. There are several venues offered and you don't need to pre-book.

Thanks to all, I did book my hotel a while back and did have sticker shock a bit. I thought Rome would be more than Venice but it was visa versa. I am looking into the Gondola rides and the Dogges Palace. Thanks again

If interested, you might want to pre-book the Accademia. Have been to Venice 2x and pre-booked Secret Itin. at the Doge's Palace and the Accademia. I've never heard of pre-booking a singing gondola. As Rick advises, give yourself some time to get lost. It is priceless. Remember, the farther away you get from San Marco, the less touristy. Found that to be true, especially restaurants. I love Venice!

Lori, FYI......we were going to look for a Gondolier on our own so I asked the hotel clerk to recommend someone. She told us she could book it for us at a discount of about 20 Euros. The gondola picked us up at the hotel dock and dropped us off at another location we agreed upon. Worked out great. Have fun, Bob

My reference was to the "singing" gondola tour. Which I understand books weeks in advance. It's an organized group of 5 or so gondolas with a musician and singer on one. http://www.viator.com/tours/Venice/Venice-Gondola-Ride-and-Serenade/d522-2495TOUR4 Just the gondola is easy. Have fun.