Three of us will be travelling in Florence and surrounding area. Only one of us wants to go to Venice on her own for a couple of days. Can anyone suggest a small tour group or, perhaps, a private guide service that would make it more enjoyable for someone travelling alone? Also, does anyone know whether there are any small-group tour services that would depart from Florence for a few days in Venice?

Thanks for any help you can provice.

I'm not sure about small group tours but you could probably do this on your own and if you like. You could easily travel from Florence to Venice via train and then hook up with some specific small group tours once you're in Venice.

Here's a list of trip reports where the authors hired a guide or went on a group tour in Venice: Venice Trip Reports with Guides and there are some Venice Tour Guides listed on this page: Italy Tour Guides.

Hope that helps.

It really depends on that persons independence. I like traveling alone and I don't feel the need to join a group. Rr

In the past, we have taken a day trip from Venice (Palladian Villas Tour) with Jonathan, the co-owner of this company Avventure Bellissime and enjoyed it thoroughly. I know that our Venice expert Boleskine (Ruth) has also taken their tours as well. They offer a wide range of options to choose from, including Venice walking tours and all-day programs, as well as a 3-day/2 night package 3 day package, which might be a good alternative for someone traveling on her own.

You can do it on your own if person feels good about it. There are a couple of excellent walking tours that will get one going, and then she can explore from there. A nice safe place and reasonable to stay is the:
http://alcampaniel.tripod.com/
just 3 min. from the San Toma Stop and has a lovely chocolate shop just across from the door.

Hi! I've been to Venice twice, the last time I went with my Mom and sister but my Mom had bad vertigo and a foot problem so couldn't walk around much--I basically spent most of the time with my younger sister or by myself. Venice, in my opinion, is a great place for solo travel (and a great first solo travel experience) as long as you have the right mindset. In all likelihood, you WILL get "lost" in Venice. Apparently, even the locals do. But you will wander around in a circle and find where you are again, just accept it as part of the experience (you have not experienced Venice if you haven't gotten lost in it for a couple of hours, imo). You can't get really lost because it's a small island.

I might go back again this summer as part of a trip to Italy solo. It's a very safe place, even at night and it's great to wander, shop, eat, and just take in the scenery. I think your friend will love it. If they are going overnight, be sure to stay on the island itself. It is very crowded in the square during mid-day but the place is pretty empty in the morning and at night (in a good way). I wouldn't personally want to stay on the mainland by the train station, I hate staying outside of town but would rather stay in the cities themselves and enjoy the history and culture firsthand.

Enjoy your trip and sorry for the ramble

Hi there MJ,
I go to Venice every year...and purposely plan some time alone. I love the creature surge from wandering the calli and riding the vaporetto without any distraction.
I agree with Anthro...it's a great place solo.
One of the things that I do is check out the "trip calendar" and see if any other Slow Travelers will be in Venice at the same time. It's always fun to meet up for a dinner and an evening chat.
Just get a map and do some reading and go forth and explore!

One book that could really get the solo traveller to Venice going on the right path is J.G. Links, "Venice for Pleasure." Copies all over Amazon.

Yrs, Robert

quote:

Originally posted by JeanneM:
In the past, we have taken a day trip from Venice (Palladian Villas Tour) with Jonathan, the co-owner of this company Avventure Bellissime and enjoyed it thoroughly. I know that our Venice expert Boleskine (Ruth) has also taken their tours as well. They offer a wide range of options to choose from, including Venice walking tours and all-day programs, as well as a 3-day/2 night package 3 day package, which might be a good alternative for someone traveling on her own.

We absoluey loved our tours with Avventure Bellissime, and nly stopped because we had taken all their out of Venice oen day excursions. They have many in Venice walking tours, but I was alrady starting to have problems walking and did not want to hold up a group. We also took a prvate one day wine tasting tour with AB and though pricey it was fabuous! Ruth