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3 Days in Venice - Suggestions where to stay and what to do

We have booked a flight (July timeframe) with a 3 day layover in Venice. We have a Saturday overnight flight arriving mid AM on Sunday; departing on Wednesday to continue our trip in Europe. This is our first time to Venice, so any information on water taxis from and to the airport would be greatly appreciated.

We are also looking for hotel suggestions, and things to do and sites to visit during this time. I am an amateur photographer, camera will be in tow; we are also foodies (love exploring and trying local cuisine). I love exploring back streets and local shops. Thank you in advance for any and all suggestions, tips and tricks.

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We stay in the Cannaregio area, on the quiet back canals, where one can take sunset pix without anyone spoiling the frame. Yet, we are just a 15 minute walk from the train station and 10 minute walk from a vaporetto stop on the Grand Canal. We love the Hotel Ai More D'Orient. I'd advise sleeping away from St Marks Square, and experiencing the serene and charming areas of Venice. You will probably be visiting sites around St Marks and the Rialto Bridge, so it's nice to get away from the masses. Leave lots of time just to wander and enjoy.
I'll attach some Searches with info on transportation. Have a magical time!

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/venice-transportation-questions-2f9f38fe-6190-4bfc-8975-a9548e5445cd

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From a previous post from Aussie-
Getting to Venice from Marco Polo Airport. [Make sure you have seats on the right/starboard side of the aircraft, for a view of Venice as you fly into Marco Polo.]
A paper map of Venice is the best three euro you will ever spend. Sure, people say that getting lost in Venice is fun. Getting lost, hauling your luggage and not being able to find your hotel is nobody’s idea of fun. Buy that map at the Tabac or bookshop at Marco Polo.
Do take a look at your hotel website – there may be info there. Otherwise,
Water taxi will get you close, maybe to, the door of your hotel. Can carry about ten people, will cost about €140 for the boat. No need to book, taxis are waiting at the Marco Polo dock.
Shared water taxi. Minimum of two people. Book in advance, wait at the desk in the terminal for the others sharing the taxi. Costs about €30 per person. Google “shared water taxi Venice”, use the venicelink dot com web site. Will get you to a vaporetto stop near your hotel.
Alilaguna ferry, as per below.
Bus to Piazale Roma, then walk to your hotel, or take vaporetto to the nearest stop. Buses leave from the outside the terminal, tickets at the machine.
Water transport in Venice.
1. Gondolas. Only for pleasure, not for transport. 90 euro for half an hour for the boat, more for evenings.
2. Traghetto – big gondolas, two oarsmen, about ten passengers, for crossing the Grand Canal. Found at Rialto, San Toma and a couple of other places. Cost 2 euro per trip, can save a heap of walking.
3. Water taxis, which are like a floating limo, costs to match.
4. Vaporettos - ACTV. Are like a floating bus, operate on a bunch of routes. Get the app Chebateo for routes and schedules. Vaps do not service the airport. Vaps are not water taxis.
5. Alilaguna ferries, service the airport, run from Marco Polo via a bunch of stops to the main part

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We visited Venice a couple of years ago in October for about the same length of time. We got there Sunday afternoon by train from Milan and left Wednesday morning in a rental car from the airport. We cashed out a ton of Marriott points to stay at the Danieli, right on the waterfront by St Mark’s square. The hotel is gorgeous and it was great being that close to the square and to water transit stops, but unless you have a ton of Marriott points (or a big bag of money!) it probably makes more sense to stay somewhere smaller in a quieter part of town.

We took vaporettos around town and to other islands, and the Alilaguna to the airport, and that worked fine but our hotel was right on the dock. If you’re staying somewhere that’s not close to a stop then taking a water taxi from the airport that can bring you right to the hotel makes sense. As far as maps go, we found Google Maps worked fine (we have T Mobile so cellular data included). Finally, I think any restaurant you find while wandering around the back streets will be good, especially if the menu looks tasty!

Good luck with the trip!