We decided to try renting an apartment and spend a week in 1 place, leisurely walking around, and experiencing local life. We arranged for 1 week in Venice. Is this too much? Any suggestions for this project would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Posted by
Carbondale, IL, USA
1201 posts
sue - you'll get answers all over the map on this one. For us a week in an apartment in Venice would be a wonderful start. We have been visiting Venice for the last 30 years and every time we return we stay longer. Venice is a wonderful magical place and is full of more than enough things to see and do. you will have a great time.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
It's only too much if you don't like Venice (and you'll get a few Venice haters here), and on the off-chance you happen not to like it, there are lots of easy daytrips out of there to Burano, Murano, Torcello, Padova, Vicenza and Verona (among others). That said, I happen to love La Serenissima, as you can see from some of my photos that I took there in May 2011, and May 2008. Do you have an apartment yet? Are you looking at any particular n'hood of Venice? If not, I would suggest Dorsoduro. Do get the Eyewitness Travel Guide book on Venice. It has some wonderful walks in it. Happy travels.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34221 posts
Oh lucky you. A week would just about get me warmed up. Yum. Take an afternoon and (reserve in advance, well ahead) get over to Padova for the Giotto masterpiece, the very blue Scrovenghi Chapel.
Posted by
Farmingville, New York, USA
381 posts
A week is not alot as long as you take a few day trips as suggested. Definitely see Padova and Verona. Each one a full day. I really enoyed Padova. See the Giotto Fresco in the church there (get reservations) and take time to just walk. Murano and Burano is another full day. St Marks, Doge palace and the area can be antoher full day. You want two days just to stroll around in each sector. Than you have all the other sites like the Fiari Church. (sorry for incorrect spellings) So a week can be full and fly by before you know it.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Tom, your only misspelling was the Frari Church. Sue, when are you planning to go? And, yes, Padova is a wonderful daytrip. We stopped there on our way from Verona to Venice. Photos here of our visit in May 2011. Verona is a little farther away, but very nice. Here are photos of our trip there last year, in case you're interested.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15798 posts
Sounds lovely. I really enjoyed the Secret Itineraries tour at the Doge's Palace - need to book in advance. You can often save on entrance fees and vaporetto passes using the Venice Connected website. Rick's free audio tours are enjoyable: Frari Church, St. Mark's, Grand Canal. I thought the Doge's Palace audio guide was also worthwhile. The Jewish Ghetto tour is interesting. The trip to Burano is worth it for the sail across the lagoon. I was disappointed with Burano (and Torcello too) but I seem to be in the minority here. The best time to see the mosaics at St Mark's is between 11.30 and 12.30, when they are floodlit. Verona is one of my favorite places in Italy. Look at the Verona Card website for the list of what to see there. One day isn't enough . . . but you can always go back. It has a very nice atmosphere in the evening, when the locals come out for their evening stroll (passagietta - yes, I know I've misspelled it but you get the idea . . . ).