Our apartment infront of the Frari is booked for three months.....
We leave October 21st.....
I am working 11-12-hour days for the next three months, so I need some help with some of my research.
1. Can you suggest daytrips out of Venice? We have been to Padua and Verona.
2. We have been to the big three islands: Murano, Burano and Torcello. But I have been hearing/reading about other islands to visit. I would love to hear any suggestions - how to get there, great place to have lunch and what not to miss.
3. Since we will be there for three months with some cold/wet weather, we will have plenty of time to read. We will bring as many paperbacks as we can but it won't be enough and we are not ready to use e-readers yet. We like to read mysteries, thrillers, detective stories. Does anyone know of any bookstore that sells secondhand paperbacks in English for a reasonable price? We would even go to Mestre or somewhere nearby.
4. Any festivities, regattas, celebrations during this time (October 23 - January 19) that we should not miss? We attended the Christmas mass in San Marco last year and it was wonderful. We will do that again.
Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions. I have printed and read Ruth's 200 things to do in Venice.
Posts: 813 | Location: San Francisco | Registered: 22 April 2005
Vicenza for a tour of the palladio architecture and verona for multiple wonders, including the glorious San Zeno church and the Arena, especially if there is a concert there. A day wandering the Valpolicella stradi di vini, winetasting and visiting the vineyards. i think i'll just day dream now of the dozens of other lovely ways to spend time while you are in venice. lucky you!
Oh, you lucky people! I went to a second hand book shop in Castello. I THINK it was on Campo Ss. Fillippo e Giacomo. (Don't be cross if that's wrong, please.) Here's a link to a list of libreria, but probably not second hand books, maybe you'll find some on sale.
I would be glad to tell you lots of things and answer your questions but it is really very numerous to go into all the details here. Is there a way I can contact you or vice versa...I am not a premium member so I cannot PM you and I am not sure if what I am suggesting is breaking the rules of this forum which I don't want to do.
Posts: 732 | Location: USA | Registered: 08 June 2008
JustTravel--Have you read our Venice Travel Notes on the main site? Many excellent ideas from members.
VeniceJ--We ask that most suggestions be posted in the forums, so others may also benefit. If you need clarification of our rules, they may be read in our How to Post and Forum Rules. If you need further help, just contact a Moderator by e-mail.
Thanks Amy, I just noticed that at times people give their email address so others can contact them privately...I have no interest or desire to break any rules especially in a forum that gives so much...
Posts: 732 | Location: USA | Registered: 08 June 2008
You are so fortunate! Three months will really give you a chance to settle in and experience the fine points. A few day trip suggestions for you: The Euganean hills south of Padova are beautiful and relaxing (best explored by car)with the town of Arqua Petrarcha being a very nice stop. The poet's house is still there. The terme towns of Abano and Montegrotto are a short hop by train or bus from Padova (not too impressive, but they have that terme feel) as is Monselice (more history and a castle). Treviso is a wonderful town and is easy by train from Venice. It is definitely worth spending time in. If you have access to a car I would also head north to Asolo and maybe Marostica. You could even make it over to the southern tip of Lake Garda by train if you have not been there before. You might enjoy Sirmione and possibly a short boat ride north. It takes about three hours+ to travel the full length of Garda, but the scenery is breathtaking once you get past mid-lake. Il Vittoriale - the home of the eccentric writer and war hero G. D'Annunzio is in Gardone. The sense of fantasy in the house and gardens make it a "must see" IMO. I hope these suggestions are helpful.
there is a book store called marco polo international that sells english speaking books new and used(you can trade or sell yours there) the address is calle del teatro malebran 5886? there is a picture on one of the threads from Robert Rainey when he asked about internet service taken by I think colleen which shows where it is...if you have a computer you can use it there for free...
Trieste is a nice place for a day trip... Belluno, someone mentioned Vicenza wonderful restaurant there called Il Pistello...and of course the wine country....
Posts: 732 | Location: USA | Registered: 08 June 2008
The second one seems a little more informative. Anyway, the thing to remember is that the tours are only available on weekends and only up to 2nd November. Saturday is the 3-hr walk around vicenza starting at 2pm (registration at 1:30pm) and Sunday is the all-day trip out to Bassano del Grappa and the country villas starting at 9am. There is also a major Palladio exhibition at Palazzo Barbaran da Porto during this time.
As for day trips out of Venice, you should consider Castelfranco and Asolo, and Treviso. There's also Chioggia and Pellestrina on the outer edges of the lagoon. There's also the Riviera di Brenta which you can either do by public bus, or on a boat tour down the Brenta canal.
If you have a car you could also do the Euganean Hills (just beyond Padova) and the little towns around it - Este, Monselice, Arqua' Petrarca, Teolo - and villas and gardens, and the Abbazia di Praglia. Actually, you might even consider staying for a few days in one of the spa hotels there.
Oh, and then there's the Dolomites which you can do even as a day trip. Nothing like driving all the way to Misurina and seeing the Tre Cime di Lavaredo on a clear day.
EC
Posts: 173 | Location: Singapore | Registered: 29 March 2008
Yes, we feel very fortunate to be able to be in Venice for this length of time. It's not our first time but it will be the longest so far.
Thank you for all your suggestions. I will print this discussion to date and will read and digest the information on my way home this afternoon (don't worry, I am not driving, taking the Muni metro). Already, I see some very interesting suggestions.
Please keep the suggestions & comments coming.
Grazie mille.
Posts: 813 | Location: San Francisco | Registered: 22 April 2005
We loved the Trattoria Vignole on the Island of the same name the vaporetto 13 leaves from the fundamente Nove. Read my review which was posted last week. RR
You might want to take a look at Bill Thayer's pages about Chioggia and other small Veneto towns.
December 8 is the celebration of the Immaculate Conception and there's a Mass in San Marco at 10:30 AM with the Patriarch of Venice. I went to it last year and it was very beautiful.
Well, it's not exactly a regatta, but the Venice marathon is being run on the first weekend you're there (Sunday 26th Oct). The course starts in Stra (near Padova, on the Brenta river); after around 35 of the 42 km, the runners cross the Ponte della Libertà, run down to the port, along the Zattere, and over a pontoon bridge that crosses from Dogana to San Marco (large enough to let the vaporetti pass beneath). They then run along the riva, and finish just before Giardini.
Philippa (my wife) ran it in 2005, and is running again this year - and Robert Rainey ran it several years ago. The San Marco end of the pontoon bridge (which is a shortened version of the one which crosses the Giudecca canal for the Redentore celebrations) is a good place for spectators - the leaders should be appearing there around 11.25.
We're arriving on the evening of Oct 23, and departing on the 28th: if you fancy meeting up for a spritz, do get in touch (my email is in my profile).
Jonathan
Posts: 3365 | Location: Stroud, UK | Registered: 18 November 2001
Hi Just Travel, lucky you! I would second reading all the Slow Travel notes that Amy linked too. I read and found all of them to be very valuable.
Have you thought of Ravenna to see those amazing mosaics. There is a great Travel note that was written by Pauline on them. Several Slow Travelers recommended it as an overnight day trip and it was so worth it to me. By train it is about 2 1/2 hours away from Venice. You can eat at the La Gardela Restaurant (there are reviews on ST). On the way back to Venice I stopped (on the same train ticket) in the wonderful town of Ferrara. There is a great castle there with beautiful ceiling art work.
I participated in the Festa della Salute last year and really enjoyed the experience.
Also enjoyed a day trip to the Dolomites (up to the town of Cortina). It snowed when we went so we didn’t see the great views, but I heard they are spectacular (so I’m just going to have to return there again!). It was still fun.
The Venice Marathon would be so great to do! I’ll have to make note of your thread for future reference!
Have a great trip!
Posts: 790 | Location: California | Registered: 19 September 2004
The marathon is great. As an alternative you can get up ealy and run along the zattare any day.
You can read my report "running in Italy" there are shorter races,we have done 15k's, half marathons etc.(also there are ultras if a marathon is not long enough,ha ha)
It is so fun to run on the empty streets at sunrise! RR
1. Can you suggest daytrips out of Venice? We have been to Padua and Verona.
Bassano del Grappa - charming Alpine town, and Aquileia - wonderful Roman ruins, including a Roman road and house floor mosaics.
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2. We have been to the big three islands: Murano, Burano and Torcello.
The only other island I've been to is 'the cemetery island' of San Michele. A peaceful spot. Interesting to search out famous 'permanent Venetians,' and pretty views through the cypresses over the lagoon to Venice.
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{books} We would even go to Mestre or somewhere nearby.
I think there are buses that leave regularly from Piazzale Roma to the Panorama (HUGE Costco-like store) in Mestre. Among other things, Shannon and I bought a multi-pack of Caffe del Doge coffee there for our apartment - and to take home.
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4. Any festivities, regattas, celebrations during this time (October 23 - January 19) that we should not miss?
Keep an eye out for posters of free holiday concerts... I've attended the Yuletide and Epiphany (January 6) concerts at the Frari a couple of times, and they're always very powerful. Emotional singing in a beautiful space.
The Befana races on the 6th are also wonderful. Get there early to grab a good spot on the Rialto Bridge or the fondamenta. I'll never forget the Santa who blew us kisses from his boat on the Grand Canal!
Posts: 16015 | Location: The Beautiful San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: 06 August 2001
Robert's new favorite restaurant on Le Vignole will likely not be open during your visit. It's only open in spring/summer/fall since most of the seating is outdoors. I was just there last week and I can't quite recall what date they said they're closing this year, but I think it was either at the end of September or during the first week of October.
A few island suggestions: San Servolo, San Francesco del Deserto, and San Lazzaro degli Armeni.
San Servolo sometimes has interesting events and concerts and more often than not they're free. Look for posters around town, in tourist magazines (such as those published by the tourist office or A Guest in Venice) or VENews magazine for event listings. There's also a web site but I don't know if it lists everything going on. http://www.sanservolo.provincia.venezia.it/Home.aspx?lingua=en-US
San Francesco del Deserto is a private island that's home to a small community of Franciscan monks. Getting there is tricky as there is no vaporetto service. You can hire a private boat from Burano to take you there. The monks receive visitors only during certain hours and I'm sorry but I don't have them offhand. Some guidebooks do list them. The monks will take you on a short guided tour of some of the buildings (though not their private quarters), some of which date back to the 1200s. The visit is free though a gratuity is suggested. There is no pressure for money as after the tour you are allowed to roam the gardens on your own, and then when you're done you can visit a small gift shop which sells printed prayers, postcards, and a few other small items. The shop is unattended so you can place payment into a large ceramic urn, which is also where you would put a gratuity. I don't know if any of the monks speak English; I've been there twice and both times they only spoke Italian. However, if you go into the little shop first you can pick up a pamphlet for 50 cents which will help you understand. It's a low key, relaxing and delightful visit. http://www.isola-sanfrancescodeldeserto.it/home.htm
San Lazzaro degli Armeni is home to Armenian monks and a small museum. You can get there by vaporetto fron San Zaccharia. They do guided tours in different languages. I think you can find details and contact numbers in guidebooks.
There is a bookstore in Campo Santa Maria Nova - right by the Miracoli church - that has new and used books in English.
Most bookstores have an English selection now - a few years ago, that was not the case.
If you get down to Florence the Paperback Exchange is a great place to pick up some books.
It's kind of crazy how once you get to Venice, you never really want to leave. But I agree with above posts that recommend Bassano del Grappa, Asolo and Ravenna - would be even better if you could spend a night once you get there.
It's kind of crazy how once you get to Venice, you never really want to leave.
So true. We spent 6 weeks in Venice last Christmas season and we only took a three-night sidetrip to Rome/Orvieto and spent the rest in the islands. That is why I want to have a list of places to visit before hand.
So, thank you very much for the numerous suggestions and recommendations.
We will visit the various bookstores suggested.
I will also research (how to get there; what not to miss and where to eat) the places you all suggested: Vicenza, Treviso, Lake Garda region, Trieste, Padua and hillsides, Valpocella, Belluno, Bassano del Grappa, Castelfrando, Asolo, Vingole, Chioggia, Pellestrina, Riviera di Brenta, Cortina, Ravenna (visited once in the past) and Ferrara. I will need a map to pinpoint a lot of these places. We will not have a car, so we are limited to public transport.
By the way, my long work days is not another three months, but three weeks. In fact, my last day in the office this year is October 17th and I don't plan to return until the 27th of January.
Jonathan, we would love to have coffee or drinks with you. And anyone else..... Our favorite cafe is Ciak's in San Toma.
Posts: 813 | Location: San Francisco | Registered: 22 April 2005
I just read about this (on Trip Adviser). Sounds interesting.
"I have read that there is a story that an old woman called Giustina Rossi looked out of her window and accidently knocked from the sill a stone mortar, which landed on the head of a standard bearer, killing him outright.Seeing the flag go down Tiepolo's troops panicked and fled, and there was carnage , scores were killed in the Piazza, when asked what she would like as a reward she requested permission to hang the Venetian flag from her window on feast days,and her rent never raised, this was granted.
This window is said to be over the Sottoportego del Cappello(first left after the Torre) the relief is known as La Vecia del Morter, the event is said to of took place on the night of 15th. of June 1310."
Yvonne
Posts: 310 | Location: Queensland Australia | Registered: 25 December 2007
In fact, my last day in the office this year is October 17th and I don't plan to return until the 27th of January. 
