Any suggestions for shore excursions Venice?

[bearswife]

Im looking for something that will not cost much and I can see a lot in a short time. I never been there. Any suggestions?

 

Thanks:)

[agabbymama]

Take the ship shuttle to Piazzale Roma, hop on the vaporetto there for 6 EURO ride the Grand Canal seeing the Rialto Bridge, San Marco Piazza, the Bridge of Sighs and all the other buildings of Venice. Tours are going to expensive, but you can walk or ride the vaporetto relatively inexpensively.

[kate52]

Hi- if you want to do it yourself, walk about 15 minutes from ship to Piazza Roma, get the number 1 vaporetto (water bus) towards St Mark's Square (it will be going from left to right as you look at the canal) and make sure you get a space right at the front. Get off at St Mark's and walk along to your right to see Bridge of Sighs before doubling back and going into the square where you can go into the basilica, palace, bell tower, famous cafes. Then follow the signs that are up on the walls of the streets towards Rialto.

Over the bridge you can head for Accademia and the art gallery, then walk back to ship. If you keep to the main areas you can't really go wrong, it's only when you start to go off the beaten track to explore that a good map and a good sense of direction become a necessity!

kate

[rlaribee]

A last minute change in schedule put us at Venice when we were not expecting to go. So we did not plan ahead, did not look at a travel book, did not have a map. We did not buy a tour.

 

We had 6 hours, were on foot (or water shuttle) the whole time -- and it was wonderful!!!!!! We had so much fun. San Marcos square is not to be missed. (If you're a fan of St Mark, as we are, you will love the incredible number of winged lions everywhere.)

 

Definitely use the water taxis... they give you a great view of the city and get you around quickly.

 

With a little research in advance you'll have even more fun than we had.

 

BTW -- we had pizza that was so good it left us speechless -- at a sidewalk cafe on the canal across from the train station.

[NAS-KARR]

Lisa and I were in Venice for a 3 day post-cruise~ ~ ~ we walked the streets from one end to the other, from sun up to sun down, took gondola rides and even spent almost a full day in Burano. and never saw any kind of an excursion going on, simply everyone (almost) with a map in hand having a good time strolling around. You can take it from there.

 

Enjoy e CIAO, :D

[jlines]

A 24 hr. vaparetto pass is 16E which along with exploring on foot will give you a great time in Venice. You might also check into the secret itinerary tour of the Doge's Palace - we really enjoyed this.

[California Native]

Buon Sera!

You can do Venice on your own!

2 books I strongly recommend..

Rick Steves Venice

DK Eyewitness Top 10 Venice

If you would like to view our Venice photos from 2 visits...

Below is the link to our website, just go into Italy

If you would like to read about Harry's Bar, see how a Bellini is made go into the journal and then

into Something to Quench your thirst

If you would like to know about the discount for Americans at Harry's Bar there's a link in the Blog Area..

Ciao Ciao for now!

http://when.do.we.leave.googlepages.com/

[genni]

So far so good as far as advice, the time of year is of course important - late spring to early autumn - very full of tourists, but, hey, if not Venitian aren't we all?

Costs - prices wil be high, but at Disneyworld are they cheap? - I make this comparison because - well - Venice seems, and is so, man-made, but was not done so as a tourist attraction. There are people who live there for generations, some have given up doing so - because they can't cope with today's situation - basically tax for sewage and trash - most 'donations' of such comes from tourists (who, obviously may be budget careful, spend the least possible - HOWEVER - a love/hate situation - without tourists - what future for Venice?)

Think about it, one must ignore the cost of getting there (Disney does) it is a city, so cost are divided upon those who live there - means trash, sewage (both very particular for the specific problems of the canal city) millions of tourists who may or may not want to spend much to visit the city, but ought to consider - there ought to be an entrance fee equal to - Disney - to handle these costs...? Vaporetto - water taxi (Gondolas - they have to be made according to the ancient regulations - each cost much more that a Mercedes - yes, rides are expensive), with a good map one can certainly enjoy, varies due to crowds, Venice on their own. WARNING - VENICE IS NOT A FAKE, not plastic...But the first impression always seems to be - "This cannot be real, historically continuous!!!"...But it is!

[rebeccalouise]

If you have the money...

 

The first time I came to Venice we arrived by train. We took a water taxi down the grand canal. It was wonderful. This will cost about 50-60 Euros though (one way). Get a price upfront. There should be water taxis right by the pier.

 

The ships also have transportation to St. Mark's. You can buy tickets to the shuttle onboard and the shuttle takes you to and from St. Mark's. I think the tickets are $20 per person.