Visiting Venice with Viking; Trying to plan an excursion vs. self-guided activities

Ask yourself, and your sister, “what is the one site or experience that is the top priority for me in Venice?” Then focus in on those two items. Sometimes seeing less is actually more. If a gondola ride is a “must do”, then do it. If taking a vaporetto down the grand canal is something you have always aspired to do, go for it. Prioitize and focus with limited time.

Thanks, Carol! I’m honestly not sure the answer to that question, so wonder what some favorites are for people. Thanks for the advice to limit our focus. We’ll absolutely have to! For me, seeing the gondolas (versus catching a ride) might possibly be enough for me, but I’m not so sure. I’m encouraging my sister to view some of Rick’s Venice videos and am sharing excerpts from the guidebook to help encourage discussion.

For such a short time for Venice, I would skip the Murano/Burano option. (I’ve been to Venice several times and also out to those islands.)

Could you give me a better idea of what you mean by less mobility? In other words, will going up & down the many short bridges be an issue? The gondola ride is an iconic experience, and it would be a nice way to see some of Venice as a start. If I had that short of time, I would pay the extra to have the full experience of a musician in your gondola. Also, you could go into St. Mark’s in the main beautiful piazza. Purchase tickets to St. Mark’s on-line ahead if time for a specific time, so you’re not in the long line.

As someone interested in glass (as a longtime though casual collector, not as an artist), I can comment on the Murano/Burano option. A lot of the best glass shops in Venice (as well as some very low-end places) are on Murano. However, the part of the island you'll probably see if you head over there due to an interest in glass is not particularly atmospheric or attractive. On such a short visit, I would not rank visiting Murano high. If you spend some time walking around Venice, you will probably pass a few glass shops--some better than others (and some hair-curlingly awful, full of schlocky imports). There are some pricey places near Piazza San Marco. A bit of Googling may reveal some addresses.

Burano is a totally different thing. It is beautiful--full of colorfully painted houses. Unfortunately, it is much farther from Venice proper than Murano is. Getting to Burano on your own from the Palazzo Cornoldi drop-off point would be time-consuming enough that I'm not sure you'd have time to do anything else except perhaps walk over to Piazza San Marco, which is not far from Palazzo Cornoldi. I'm not a cruiser, but I'd be nervous about setting out on my own to Burano if I had to be back at the pick-up point within 4 hours. There's a lot of water to cross between those two points. If you got turned around on Burano and then had some sort of vaporetto problem, you could conceivably be late getting back to Palazzo Cornoldi. At the very least, I'd have my eyes on my watch the entire time. Cost of a round- trip out to Burano is 19 euros by vaporetto. Murano + Burano (which 4 hours does not allow for) would be 28.50 euros.

Since you mentioned your sister has mobility issues, I want to point out that when you need to cross one of the many little canals in Venice, you usually have to go up at least 8 steps before crossing the bridge, and then down 8 steps. Go to Google Maps, find Venice, and then zoom in to observe the many little canals and bridges. Even a short walk can involve several bridges, and you sometimes must detour off what you'd think is the shortest route even to find a bridge that will get you over the canal you're looking at. As it happens, there are ramps for the bridges (I think all of them) between Palazzo Cornoldi and Piazza San Marco, but that's an unusual situation that is not likely to hold if you range far afield.

I'm an art person rather than a history person; I haven't been to the Doge's Palace. I know it's a place many people like to go. Neighboring St. Mark's is also popular; the church interior is spectacular. You'd need to pre-book entry to the church so you don't risk spending a lot of time in a ticket line. I'd do the same for the Doge's Palace if it is possible to do so. I know the Secret Itineraries Tour at the Doge's Palace can be pre-booked and sometimes sells out.

If I had 4 hours in Venice I'd probably prioritize a vaporetto ride down the Grand Canal. A one-way ticket is 9.50 euros. I assume you need to exit the boat and re-enter for the return trip, for a total cost of 19 euros. I don't think it would be a good idea to plan to cover the distance San Marco to the train station on foot in one direction; it might be too much for your sister with the mandatory return time at Palazzo Cornoldi. Expect the vaporetti to be crowded. You might have to stand, though if your sister is visibly a bit infirm or elderly, someone will probably offer her a seat.

Alternatively, you'd have time for a gondola ride. You'd want to plan ahead of time which direction to walk to find gondolas on one of the small side canals. It's much better to take a gondola through the small, quiet canals than to dodge large boats (and their wakes) in the Grand Canal. There are certainly pick-up points not too far from Palazzo Cornoldi, but I don't know exactly where. The daytime cost of a 30-minute gondola ride is 90 euros for the entire boat.

Where does the cruise start/end? Any possibility to spend some time in Venice apart from the cruise stop?

4 hours and 'mobility issues' for Venice will require a laser focus on what you want to do.

1 or 2 pre-planned must do items and 1 or 2 'if we have time' items so you don't waste time on 'what should we do now', in case you do have some extra time. Also may want to have a "Plan B" in case the 1st activity causes more wear and tear than expected and have something less taxing to pivot to.

With the limited time you have, glass blowing may be a less than 'best use of time' activity, especially where it is not a new experience.

My $0.02

So sorry, but to me "Visiting Venice with Viking" sound something like that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycKNt0MhTkk
:-)

With limited time, I personally wouldn't bother with a gondola ride. I would stroll along the Grand Canal from your drop off point, passing the Bridge of Sighs, till you get to St Marks Square. Take in the sights there, and possibly have an expensive coffee. Consider whether you want to go into the Basilica.
A ride on a waterbus up the Grand Canal to the Rialto and then another ride back again to your pick up point will give you a really good impression of Venice. And is cheaper than a gondola.

I've done a Viking river cruise with a family member who was unable to walk very fast or very far. On our cruise, Viking offered a slower paced option of the included excursion at every port. In Vienna, for example, that meant the slower paced group was being dropped off by bus near the city center for an easy walking tour, while the rest of us walked with a guide to the s-bahn which we rode to the city center. Then we did a longer walking tour, and afterwards returned on our own to the ship.

So there is a good possilibity that Viking may have an excursion option for Venice that would suit your sister, if not you. They are well aware that some of their passengers are older and have mobility challenges. If your sister wouldn't mind if you did a different exursion in Venice there are likely to be others that cover more ground.

Viking may not have all the excursion options posted when they open for registration. I recall some being added to my cruise closer to time to departure, so keep checking your cruise account as that time gets closer.

I would definitely skip Murano, Burano and the gondola ride. Murano and Burano are worth it if you spend several days in Venice, not several hours. The gondola ride would only cover a very short section of the canal, skip it. The Doge’s Palace is great, but would eat most of your time, so skip it.

Some suggestions are vaporetto rides on the Grand Canal and Giudecca Canal. Try to get a seat where you can see both sides of the canals so you can get great views. Unless it’s early in the morning, getting these seats won’t be easy. I would go up the San Marco Campanile or the San Giorgio Maggiore Campanile, great views from both. I would walk in and around the Piazza San Marco and Piazzetta San Marco areas.

But with so little time, I would splurge for a private boat ride on the Grand Canal. It looks like the prices are about $100 per person per hour and up, but I think this would be an unforgettable experience.

https://www.vivovenetia.com/venice-grand-canal-boat-tour/

First, you are doing a wonderful, loving act for your sister. This trip will be a treasure for both of you, but especially for her.

As you probably know, Venice can be crazy. I was there most recently in April 2024 and was surprised at how busy it was during the day, especially since that was the alleged "shoulder season." If Viking offers an excursion that is "mobility friendly," I would strongly consider that.

If you want to try to squeeze something into 4 hours on your own, I would consider...

• walking to St Mark's Square
• visiting St Mark's Cathedral -- on a timed ticket as mentioned above (the "walk up" line was CRAZY long)
• finding a nearby "back canal" gondola stand if your sister can manage crossing bridges over canals

I don't see that you can buy a timed ticket for general entrance to Doge's Palace (though I just looked briefly). There is the Secret Itineraries tour, which is timed, but as I recall, there are a few flights of stairs for that tour, so it's not super mobility friendly.

I would NOT recommend a Grand canal vaporetto trip on your own. Waits were very long at times for vaporettos during the prime daytime tourist hours, and people absolutely packed onto the vaporettos. My normally calm and collected travel buddy about fell apart due to the crowds and the packed vaporettos during the one day (of like 4) we spent in the prime tourist area.

I agree with others saying Murano/Burano are too far away to visit on such a short visit. It will end up being all you see. Murano itself is fairly close, less than ten minutes from the right vaporetto stop, but Murano is not the most attractive island. It was the industrial, glass production island, and looks that way. A trip down the grand canal on a vaporetto will certainly get you the best view of the city, if you can get the right seat, but the main route down the grand canal is quite busy, and you may have to stand the whole way. Your best bet is to head to St Mark’s square. If you can get a timed entry for the Basilica, then do that, it’s beautiful. I have gone into the Doge’s palace twice without a timed ticket and not waited, but this was later in the afternoon when the cruise ship crowds had mostly left. It takes two hours to really see it. If you can get timed, secret itineraries tickets I would do that. But, you probably won’t have time for both locations in the time you have. The Corer museum is also right there, and will have less of a line. It focuses more on the naval history of Venice. I would pick one of these three places to visit, and then just spend some time wandering, as that is really the best thing to do in Venice. There are many churches you can go into for free, or for a couple of euros as you wander. The Rialto Bridge isn’t too far from St.Marks, and though the area can be crazy busy there are lots of shops, and restaurants where you can sit and just watch the activity.

I’m seeing recommendations for taking the vaporetto water bus in the Grand Canal. I was in Venice again (5th time) this last September, and the vaporetto bus was jammed full of people each time, other than when we left early morning our last day. And the queue at the train station for the vaporetto on the first day was so long! Riding a vaporetto as anything other than a transportation ride for your short time is not what I would recommend. If you want to see the Grand Canal length (and it’s an interesting ride), then take a water taxi, so you can actually enjoy it vs. being crammed into a very tight space. No, I haven’t paid for a water taxi, but I am there for several days and don’t mind walking or taking the vaporetto after the day trip people left. For your circumstances, this is the water option I’d recommend if you decide you don’t want to take a gondola ride that goes in the Grand Canal and into back lanes.

I love Venice! Hopefully you can have that impression, too!

Sending a brief heartfelt thank you for the time and ideas! I just love this community. I am extremely detail-oriented, so will give consideration to them all. I have no time for discontent--only to embrace things as they are.

By the way: 1) the Murano/Burano trip would be a paid Viking excursion and longer than the 4 hours for self-touring, not something I considered independently. 2) As for my sister's mobility, she has no defined disability and can usually walk unaided, but expects to bring a cane for added stability. As recently as a week ago she had an injury and used a walker. Stairs are challenging, and she seems to know they are unavoidable, but we can't blow off the potential implications. I'll definitely seek out info from Viking on support--and keep my eyes peeled for added excursions. 3) For select activities, I have the freedom to go my own way (and often travel alone), but with the limitations of the cruise experience so evident for me now, I think I need to shift my focus to basking in our special time together, whatever the circumstances!

"I have no time for discontent--only to embrace things as they are."

This is so well said....bravo to you for trying to fulfill your sister's dream trip!

I think with your limited time, Murano and/or Burano are not do-able. You will fetch up on the Riva Schiavoni, a couple of hundredred metres from the Piazza, so head there. Maybe have an outfageously overpriced drink - it is maybe a once in a lifetime experience.
The Olivetti showroom on the north side of the Piazza is a little jewel box, designed by Carlo Scarpa, Venice’s best known modern architect. He also designed the interior and garden of the Querini Stampalia foundation, and there is a nice little cafe there that does light lunches. The Querini is my favourite place in Venice!

One suggestion - buy a paper map of Venice before you embark on your cruise. Phone maps and directions in Venice are pretty poor, streets sometimes only a couple of metres wide.

My favourite book about Venice is, unsurprisingly “Venice” by James Morris. You would find it for a few dollars second hand. In a dozen visits, that book has drawn me all over Venice and the lagoon.

As someone else mentioned, I did the secret itineraries tour of the doges palace this year and there were a LOT of stairs. Most of it was up at the top of the building in areas not generally open to the public. You’d do better with a regular timed ticket and just wander around the main rooms.