Lots of questions about Venice...

[stressball]

Hope someone can help us with some of these questions...

 

1. Where does the ship dock in relation to sights in Venice?

2. Where can one buy the waterbus day pass after getting off the boat? Is there an internet sight to buy it online before hand?

3. How can one book the Doge’s Place Secret Itinerary Walking tour? Is there a website to pre-book it online?

4. Are there any other recommended guided walking tours (afternoon tours preferred) or are we better off going on our own?

 

 

We will be on Brilliance and will arrive in port on a Monday at 1:00 pm and leave the following day at 5:00 pm. That leaves us only one morning for tours and I have yet to find any that are offered in the afternoon. The Doge’s tour is offered in the morning, so that is our first choice (if we can find out how to book it!).

 

Thanks for your help!

[mert461]

Stressball,

The only question I can answer is about the Doge's Palace. You can reserve a space at: http://www.weekendavenezia.com

 

Donna

[BJS]

Here is another site link for walking tours.

http://www.tours-italy.com/venice/doges_palace.htm

You can also call 39-041-271-5911 For reservations for Secret Itineraries Tour.

 

You might be able to find your Vencie port information at this site.

http://www.vtp.it/Default.jsp?language=1

 

Here is some information, from the ACTV (run Venice public transportation) web site for the "water bus" .http://216.239.39.104/translate_c?hl=en&u=http://www.actv.it/eng/home.php%3FPHPSESSID%3D1c882c011b05697a8ffa7c03f941e985&prev=/search%3Fq%3DACTV%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DG

 

"Where can I buy the Actv tickets?

At the company ticket offices (Vela/Actv), which have various opening hours, or at the authorised resellers displaying the Actv sticker (tobacconist's, some bars, newspaper kiosks and shops).

 

 

Can I buy tickets on board Actv transport?

Only on board waterbuses and provided you ask the "marinaio" (sailor/attendant) as soon as you board.

[Mike Andrews]

You will be able to walk to all the major sites from the Cruise Terminal (http://WWW.vtp.it) however it is easier to catch a water bus (http://WWW.actv.it).Day travel passes are available from any water bus ticket kiosk which are easily identified at regular intervals. For advanced booking of the Secret Itineraries Tour of the Doges Palace the local telephone number is 041 271 5911 (English speaking operators)and you can reserve your tickets without paying any commission and without any hassle.

http://WWW.turismovenezia.com will give you other valuable information regarding Venice as will http://WWW.venicebanana.com

 

Mike

[stressball]

I have to thank you all for the information that you have provided. It's absolutely perfect! I searched high and low for some of this info and I just couldn't find it.

 

I really appreciate your help!:)

[Bruin Steve]

One tour we really enjoyed was the Synagogues Tour in the Ghetto. You can pick it up at the Museo Hebraico--no reservations required. Other than that and the aforementioned Doge's Palace Tour, we found it fascinating just wandering on our own...But, so you know what you are seeing, it is imperative to have a good guide book and maps...I recommend the AAA Spiral Guide-Venice...it has great maps and fantastic itineraries for "on your own" walking tours...

 

Have fun...

[wwinfl91]

Here is a great web site with lots and lots of information about Venice as well as other European ports if you back up to the main site. We had a fantastic time in Venice last year. We stayed an extra 4 days and still didn't see everything we wanted. Although it seems like it a small place there are lots of things to see and do. Be sure to do the waterbus up the Grand Canal either route 1 or 82. The view of St Marks Square from the balcony of St Marks cathedral is great. We did the Doge's Palace on our own and it still took 3 to 4 hours to see all of it that we were allowed access to.

 

Here is the web site.

 

http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/

 

Lots and lots of great information and links on that site.

 

Have a great next cruise.

[stressball]

One tour we really enjoyed was the Synagogues Tour in the Ghetto. You can pick it up at the Museo Hebraico--no reservations required. Other than that and the aforementioned Doge's Palace Tour, we found it fascinating just wandering on our own...But, so you know what you are seeing, it is imperative to have a good guide book and maps...I recommend the AAA Spiral Guide-Venice...it has great maps and fantastic itineraries for "on your own" walking tours...

 

Have fun...

The synagogue tour offered by www.tours-italy.com is not offered during the time we will be there and neither is the Doge's place tour...who did you do the synagogue tour through? That might be another interesting exploration. Thanks to the other posters, I now have info on the Doge's place tour and will call first thing Monday to make a reservation.

 

wwin - I have seen this sight and have found some interesting info on there...

 

Thanks for your help!

[joan24]

We went to the Jewish ghetto by ourselves. It's easy to get there and I don't think that you need a tour.

Joan

[divinc]

If you have a problem with steep stairs and a lot of them, do not take the secret tour. Otherwise it is well worth the time. My favorite part was the attic. But wife had a real problem with the stairs.

Phil

[divinc]

Be sure to walk the area known as Santa Chiara and the Ghetto areas. So quint , less people, wonderful restarunts and prices less than half for everything versus San Marco area. Waterbus stops in numerous areas there.

Phil

[Bruin Steve]

The synagogue tour offered by www.tours-italy.com is not offered during the time we will be there

 

We went to the Jewish ghetto by ourselves. It's easy to get there and I don't think that you need a tour.

 

You can wander through the Ghetto yourself...but it will make a lot more sense to you if you take the tour...

 

I am not talking about the tour mentioned above by stressball through tours-italy.com...Their tour is of the area of Venice on a larger scale...If you go to their website and read about the tour they offer, you will see this line:

 

"Entrances to the Jewish museum and synagogues are not included, as they are strictly controlled by the Jewish community (can be visited after the tour)"

 

The tour I was referring to is THROUGH the Museo Hebraico (the Jewish Museum)...it does not merely walk through the streets of the Ghetto, but actually goes up through the buildings and takes you INSIDE of several of the Synagogues...The history of each is specific and varied...there are several synagogues that date back centuries, each built by a specific group of Jews who migrated to the Ghetto from other parts of the world over those centuries...From my experience, you don't need reservations...if you show up at the Museum during business hours, you can get on the next tour...make sure you're not there on a Saturday as they won't be open...

[BJS]

If you have a problem with steep stairs and a lot of them, do not take the secret tour. Otherwise it is well worth the time. My favorite part was the attic. But wife had a real problem with the stairs.

Phil

Thank you for posting this. May have to reconsider booking this tour. :(