Sept. 7 - 9, 2010 (3D2N): Last leg of our week-long Northern Italy trip - see Rome as Leg 1 and Florence as Leg 2.  Have you seen the aerial view of Venice? The island truly shaped like a fish! Surrounded by bodies of water, it is particularly magical and dreamy after a light mist. No cars are allowed on the island so don’t be afraid to explore on your feet..you can’t really get lost after all.

*Highly Recommended

Day 1

• Noon arrival @ Venice train station from Florence
• Bus from train station to Venice (20 mins)
• Check-in @ Alloggi Agli Artisti (we went with the cheapest hotel option as we booked this trip via Gate 1 Travel, please check TA for a better hotel option)
• Vaporetto #42 to Murano
  • Glass museum
  • Walk around island, shop & lunch (suggested duration of 3hrs)
• Vaporetto back to Zacceria
• Walking tour from San Zacceria to San Marco & San Marco to Rialto and take pictures along the way:
  • Chiesa di San Zaccaria
  • St. Mark’s Basilica
  • Church of San Moise 
  • Hotel Bauer (used to be Nazis's headquarter before turning into a hotel)
  • Teatro Goldoni
  • Campo Manin
  • Scala Contarini del Bovolo (Venice's Non-Leaning Tower of Pisa)
• Walking tour from Rialto to Frari Church:
  • Rialto Bridge
  • Casa di Carlo Goldoni (pic only)
  • Basilica Dei Frari
• Dinner @ La Rivetta* (get the squid ink pasta)

Day 2

• Grand Canal Tour (via Vaporetto #1 to San Marco)
• Museum in San Marco:
  • Doge’s Palace
  • Museo Correr
  • St. Mark’s Basilica
  • Plazzo Mocenigo
• Vaporetto #2 from San Zacceria to San Giorgio Maggiore and climb the bell tower (great view)
• Vaporetto back to San Zattere and visited:
  • Ca’ Rezzonico
  • Ca' Pesaro Galleria Internazionale d'Arte Moderna/Museo d’Arte Orientale Ca’ Pesaro (two museums in one)
  • Mercati di Rialto
  • Mask shop by Casa Goldoni
  • Chiesa Rettoriale di San Polo
  • Chiesa di Santa Maria di Nazareth - Chiesa degli Scalzi
• Dinner @ Osteria Bancogiro* (on the main canal by Rialto, very romantic)
• Walk to San Marco and listen to music at the square & eat gelato

Day 3

• Chiesa Di San Marcuola
• Visit the morning fish market
• Campo del Ghetto (Jewish Ghetto)
• Bus to Marco Polo airport
• Flight to NYC

Tips

• Just like the NYC subway, the Vaporetto changes its route at night
• Avoid going in November or December as the chance for Acqua alta (high water) is high
• Gondolas are extremely expensive and touristy...we have seem gondola traffic as well.