Venice 2010

Best and worst sights, experiences and destinations:

Best: the water buses
Why: at first these were a little confusing, but your introductory information gave us the courage to try this extremely affordable mode of transportation

Worst: crowds in Venice
Why: I don't suppose that anything can prepare a traveler for the hordes of people -- not just tourists but people selling souvenirs and the beggers -- in Venice. We were glad to escape to Murano each afternoon.

Laralyn Sasaki in Columbus, OH USA 10/09/2009

Best: St. Mark's Cathedral/ Guggenheim Exhibit
Why: St. Mark's Cathedral/Church/Basilica is a marvelous place to visit. The artwork and church itself are just simply amazing. The Guggenheim exhibit is a fun, fresh escape from the medieval art that is shown everywhere else. The modern pieces go nicely when paired with the scenes of antique Venice.

Worst: Doge's Palace
Why: It is a really big place, and while the beginning rooms are fascinating, seeing the what seems like 1,00 pictures of the same man in a "funny hat" gets tiring after a while and there is no place to sit down.

Julia Bodson in Salt Lake City, UT USA 08/14/2009

Worst: artviva tours
Why: You might consider removing them from your recommended list of tours. We paid $361.06 in USD (270 euros), and the experience was uneven. The effect was decidedly decrescendo, with Jennifer, the first guide, just perfect, full of insights and always welcoming questions. Our guide for the tour of the grand canal was bubbly, but the tour was silly--consisting entirely of People Magazine-style gossip about movie stars.Our next-to-last tour was supposed to be one-way to Murano, on a water taxi with comments. We got up extra early (we were staying near Ferrovia) in order to be at the meeting place before 9 a.m. We waited for over an hour, until after 10 a.m., and no one ever showed up. Rushing to get there on time (vaporetto #2 wasn't running that morning) was a definite inconvenience, and so was wandering up and down looking for a guide who never materialized. Another couple eventually showed up and was also disappointed. Incidentally, when we mentioned this to our grand-canal guide that evening, she didn't feel it was her problem. [We and the other people tried numerous times to call the artviva office while we waited in vain, but no one ever answered.]

Jason in Silver Spring, MD USA 08/05/2009

Best: Murano glass blowing tour w/ water taxi
Why: Although Rick warns about the "comically high pressure" sales presentation, we still gave it a try. We were approached by a salesman near St. Mark's Square who offered us a water taxi ride to Murano. We went to the Colleoni factory. Our young kids LOVED the water taxi ride there-- that alone made the trip worthwhile. The demonstration was good, and remarkably, we had almost no pressure afterwards to buy anything. We left a tip for the guy doing the demonstration-- maybe that helped take off the pressure. Anyway, we enjoyed strolling around Murano away from the crowds and had a nice lunch at the restaurant Rick recommended near the tower. We took the vaporetto back to Fondamenta Nove-- only 2 euro per person for this short ride. Overall, it was a fun day.

Meredith USA 07/08/2009

Best: Allogg Barbaria B&B
Why: This place and its manager, Fausto, are fantastic. The place was great, the location convenient, and Fausto was the best! He was so helpful through all my emails before the trip and just as helpful during our stay. He was born & raised in Venice and gave us all the inside tips. He arranged a memorable gondola serenade for us, gave us good restaurant recommendations, helped us save money, and helped us make the best use of our time in Venice. He cares about his guests and wants them to have the best possible experience. He and his B&B truly made our May 2009 trip a dream visit. I hope to go back again and stay at the same place.

David Benson in Bloomington, MN USA 06/06/2009

Best: San Marco Museum Pass
Why: Allowed us to bypass long lines and save money, too!

Laura in Louisville, KY USA 06/05/2009

Best: Checking Bags at St. Marks
Why: The line to get into St. Marks, even later in the day went all across the square. However, we used Rick's tip to check our backpack and our family (2 adults, 7 & 11 yr. old) went straight into the church w/no waiting. The kids actually enjoyed it, which they might not have if they had to stand in line for hours first! We also didn't have to wait in line at the Doge's Palace because we got our tickets at the museum across the square. We love no lines!!!

Kris R. in Frankfurt, Germany 04/13/2009

Best: Sunset boating back from Burano, Torcello
Why: We've done this twice, on a sunny day, leaving after breakfast on the vaporetto to Burano, walking, having lunch, enjoying the lovely pastels of the houses and watching lace being made. Then taking the vaporetto to Torcello, a very spiritual calming place with its must-see first Venetian cathedral! Catch the 5-6 pm vaporetto back to Venice proper and you'll be delighted with the sunset and the silhouette of this most wonderful city!

Worst: Seeing cruise ships in Venice
Why: Poor Venice is deluged with so many visitors without cruise ships being part of the equation. It is just ugly to see them there across the harbor. Hundreds of people are herded into Venice from the ships every day; they don't contribute to the tourist dependent economy through hotels or restaurants the way those of us who have traveled there by conventional means, and are staying there, do. They just take up space and crowd the city more than it already is.

L.Kelly in Newbury, VT USA 04/04/2009

Best: Corte Campana
Why: There are already many accolades recorded here - and justly so. Riccardo is the best host you will find. This is his old family home and you are made to feel as welcome as a guest of the family. I will stay there again gladly.

Dennis in Round Top, Tx USA 03/26/2009

Best: doge's palace
Why: not to be missed

Worst: San Giorgio Maggiore
Why: View of Venice was worth it but the church was very dark and it was hard to appreciate the art. I would only recommend this to those who had a lot of time in Venice,

Helen L in New York, NY USA 12/01/2008

Best: Doge's Palace
Why: The armory museum was my husband's favorite part of Venice. Very interesting. We also went to the top of the bell tower - amazing views but very pricey (8Euros a piece if I remember correctly)

Erica Ryan in Bakersfield, CA USA 11/10/2008

Best: The city itself!! Wow!
Why: There is certainly no other city in the world like it. The neighborhoods were lovely (crossing small canals to get from one to the other unique), the views from the vaporetto unbelievable. The museums were excellent but the art within the small neighborhood churches was extraordinary.

Worst: Murano was disappointing
Why: There were no glass blowers in early afternoon, the glasswork in the studios was extraordinarly expensive, and the island seemed "touristy."

evelyn lynch in hatboro, pa USA 10/25/2008

Best: Walking the back streets of Venice
Why: It felt more like the Venice I dreamt about. Very quiet, with mostly locals about their everyday living. We snapped many beautiful pictures of the buildings and canals in these neighborhoods.

Worst: St Marks Cathedral
Why: Too expensive for what is on offer. On the plus side we reserved a time online and just walked in instead of waiting in line.

dfloyd in Sunnyvale, CA USA 10/20/2008

Best: Rick Steves tours
Why: My husband and I had the best time following your walking tours and grand canal cruise. We never would have noticed so much detail on our own and they are free!

Worst: Overall quality of the museums
Why: In the U.S. museums are increasingly becoming experiences with interactive exhibits, lots of touching, and stories to follow. The museums of Venice are mostly a bunch of artifacts or art pieces sitting there collecting dust. They are still amazing pieces in incredible buildings, but I was surprised that the excitement bar was so low.

Amanda Gibson in South Hill, VA USA 09/21/2008

Best: Doges' palace, St Marks Basilica
Why: Breathtaking art work inside and along with the excellent guide book it was very interesting. Views out across the square from the balcony are well worth the entrance fee to the upstairs museum

E Crowhurst England, UK 08/06/2008

Best: ST Marks
Why: Incredible and breathtaking. This basilica exceeded all expectations. This place alone made our trip to Venice worthwhile

Lisa in augusta, ga USA 06/22/2008

Best: The sites! Music at night in St. Mark's square
Why: Love it love it love it!

Worst: Restaurant Service
Why: The restaurants recommended by guidelines usually have very slow and RUDE service. At one of the restaurants from the guideline in Burano, we had to ask for our bill three times before they brought it to us, even though they were not even busy. They waitors sometimes also forget to bring our water/tea.

Tina in Cincinnati, OH USA 06/07/2008

Best: Hotel Riva- Venice
Why: Very friendly staff contrary to other reviews. Elena is sweet with great english and 2 other older staff members greet w/ smile and attempt to communicate. Great location and close to Piazza de San Marco. Ask for room #1 for a million dollar view of two canals. The rooms are small, but all you need when you are spending time discovering the streets of Venice. Great cappucinno's and spent time understanding why the breakfast was only bread and jam- as there is no evidence of refrigeration at hotel riva and all items (food, ice etc) is delivered to store fronts via boat or hand truck and very expensive. I would stay again- charming and affordable.

Holly Carpino in Dana Point, Ca USA 06/04/2008

Best: Checking a bag to get ahead of line at St. Mark's
Why: Brilliant suggestion to check a bag at the little church near St. Mark's and then cut to the front of the line. I did feel a little guilty, but it really is what you're supposed to do.

Worst: Gregorian mass at San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice
Why: Only 20 people attended the 11 am Sunday morning mass and the singing priest looked and sounded like Elmer Fudd. It makes a good story, but it's not what I was expecting.

Michael in Seattle, WA USA 05/31/2008

Worst: Doges Palace
Why: I can't describe it, but it just didn't do it for me.

Kate Buechler in Winnipeg, MB Canada 05/22/2008

Best: Skipping long lines at St. Mark's Basilica
Why: The tip about checking a backpack and getting a "head of the line" pass to the Basilica saved us hours. Also, your advice to buy tickets at Correr Museum was great -- saved time and money!

Worst: Directions to P. Contrarini Del Bovolo
Why: The directions on walking tour from San Marco to this area were fine except could not find the Bovolo. There was construction in that area and that could have been the problem (blocking the access you described).

Patricia Kendall in Houston, TX USA 05/09/2008

Best: Doges Palace
Why: Beautiful building, a lot of history, interesting to see and well worth the price of admission.

Eileen in Apex, NC USA 04/26/2008

Best: The recommendation to get out, walk around and explore.
Why: In spite of the cold (colder than normal even for November), we didn't get rain during the day and enjoyed exploring. Our primary reason for coming to Venice was not shopping, but we were able to compare prices and return for the good deals.

Karen Nagata in Redmond, WA USA 04/17/2008

Best: Cimitero island
Why: Truly interesting and beautiful. and spooky!

Worst: Campanile
Why: I can't believe that thing was ever built! It totally ruins the view of Basilica San Marco and Doge Palace from across the square. And it's architecturally out of place.

Kelly Luchtman in Chicago, IL USA 04/12/2008

Best: Locanda Leon Bianco, Venice
Why: While the entrance and lobby are a little sketchy, the room on the grand canal is huge and has all the quirky charm that makes Venice so special. Good rates, good service; good enough to make us forgive a serious hike up the stairs with our suitcases.

Johanna Coolbaugh in Seattle, WA USA 03/28/2008

Worst: Laundromat on Ruga Giuffa/(Shop on Murano/Sta. Lucia train station/
Why: We spent something like $22 to wash and attempt to dry a single load of clothes. Your book suggested that we wring our clothes out first, but they were not wet enough to wring. However, the dryer was horrible--at E4 for each 20 minutes, it kept pausing, never got remotely warm, and after 2 cycles, everything was still very damp. We gave up and took it all back to the hotel and put it on hangers, etc.

Just a note about Murano--we were enjoying the island and admiring the glass in the shops, but had a bad experience in the shop of Gino Mazzicatto--this was one of the shops on the section across the bridge after the vaporetto stop. We went inside and were looking around and the salesman came up and asked if he could help us and we said we were just looking. His manner was very aggressive. He came up again and asked and we said the same thing. Then he asked in a rude voice if we were American, and my husband said, yes, and then the salesman asked which state, and we told him. Meanwhile we were deciding, from his tone, that we were not welcome in that shop. We were heading for the door and heard him in a loud and sarcastic voice tell the other clerk that we were Americans and were just LOOKing and not SHOPping. It was very disturbing and it took me awhile to feel better. Not used to such treatment by shopkeepers. By the way, they were selling the cheap imported lampworked glass ornaments for E10 when we had seen them in a shop by the vaporetto stop for E1, the exact same thing!

About the train station in Venice: we arrived at 5:30 am to catch a very early train to Ferrara and then Ravenna. We got our tickets out of the machine and then were waiting by the big mechanical board for the bin (departure "gate" for our train). We were nervous because the departure time was approaching. Suddenly a woman came along and asked if we were waiting for the Eurostar to Ferrara and we said yes, and she said it had just left. Turns out that she and a few others were waiting too and the timetable board was not working!!!! Three of the Trenitalia workers stood there while we complained (and the Italian lady did the best job of this--boy oh boy did she give them an earful!) Meanwhile, the time for the next train to Ferrara was approaching so we asked one of the Trenitalia workers if we could get on the next train. He checked with the conductor, and even though it was a regional train, he ok'd it. So we got to our destination and back ok. When we returned to the St. Lucia station, we went to the Trenitalia office to complain about the malfunctioning timetable board and they sure did not want to hear it. I was told that because we had Eurostar tickets for the first part of the journey we shouldn't have gone on the next train which was regional, etc., and then there was some concern because the ink on the stamping machine was very faint and showed up on my husband's ticket but not mine (I shoved it in all the way and heard it stamp. Later, the conductor made a note of this on my ticket back). The customer service person had a complicated conversation with her superior but came back to say we could get no refund--the Eurostar part of the ticket was very pricey compared to the regionale. So, I filed a complaint and left the tickets with them. The person who assisted us did understand that it was the fault of the train station because the timetable was not working, but she seemed unable to do anything about it.

It was a bit of a mess and we felt bad because we probably shouldn't have taken the trip that had the Eurostar for the first leg of it, but didn't know that the Regionale would be significantly cheaper. Never mind the mess with the timetable board. So, I guess when mentioning the use of the trains to people in your books, can you mention if there is any other way to know what the departure gates are if timetable is broken? This was at 5:30 am, as I said, so it was hard to get help. I doubt that Trenitalia will ever issue us a refund or even respond to our complaint. The manager kept implying that it was somehow our own fault that we did not get on the right train (how, I don't know, I do not control the automatic timetable!!)

Cheryl Moody in Cheshire, CT USA 03/24/2008

Best: St. Mark's Basilica Tour
Why: Rick's tip on beating the line by doing the bag check was a gem! My wife and I are independent world travelers, and I do plenty of homework before we go, especially on the internet. Tip's like this ARE NOT AVAILABLE ANYWHERE ELSE! We wish we had his insights for all our Asia trips!

charles in loesch, ct USA 03/04/2008

Best: Murano, Burano, and Torcello
Why: These islands get you away from the tourist crowds and each have their own local feel, especially Burano with the multicolored facades and residential back lanes.

Worst: Rialto area and to St. Mark's Square
Why: Tourist shops, crowds, and yet more tourist shops. The Rialto bridge is best viewed from the Grand Canal anyway.

Brian Gulledge in Woodbridge, VA USA 02/11/2008

Best: A haircut at Benito's!
Why: They do require an appointment. That Said...I wanted to have a "Roman Holiday" movie moment and have my hair cut short. Benito's fellow stylist, a woman, gave me a great cut and a wonderful on the edge experience! It takes faith to have your hair cut when you are pretty much just giving direction with hand signals, not words!! Thanks Rick the right advice!!

Mary Ann Haven in Columbia, SC USA 01/10/2008

Best: San Giorgio Maggiore
Why: A beautiful Palladio-designed Cathedral just a few minutes vaporetto ride from the crowds at St. Marks, with the added perk of being quiet and peaceful. Instead of fighting the line at the Campanile, get a great view at the tower here - maybe better since you are looking at Venice (instead of being IN Venice).

Thomarob in Indianapolis, IN USA 12/09/2007

Best: Alloggi Barbaria
Why: We enjoyed staying in this very quiet neighborhood and were especially happy to be so close to the vaporetto stop and a grocery store. The rooms were clean and the staff helpful. Restaurants are a hike, though, and not the fault of the staff.

Dawn Dawsey in St Paul, MN USA 11/27/2007

Best: Gondola ride at night
Why: Ridiculously expensive at 100 euros, but the children (ages 9 and 11) loved it.

Michael Sherwood in Prescott Valley, AZ USA 10/29/2007

Best: Back streets
Why: We were more rushed last time and did not take time to just wander and see the city. It did, however; seem that everything was way high priced during the 1st week in October. Still there is no place like it.

Worst: Burano
Why: We were there four years ago and it was a nice, preserved island. It is now filled with shops and looks more like Piazza San Marco. The atmosphere has been ruined.

Mike Williams in Tampa, FL USA 10/18/2007

Best: The Peggy Guggenheim Museum
Why: We went in the morning, before the crowds. The modern collection provides a much-needed break from religious art, and is small enough to view in a reasonable time. The sculpture garden provides greenery in a city where this is little.

Jim & Megan Taylor in Seattle, WA USA 10/09/2007

Best: Murano on a Sunday morning
Why: Not a whole lot open, quiet & peaceful with locals going out for family gatherings

John & Susan in St Petersburg, FL USA 10/08/2007

Worst: Albergo San Samuele
Why: Bugs! I was bitten on my arms, back, legs, neck, and face while sleeping. While I didn't see the critters, I think they had bed bugs. I let them know, but received no response.

Mary Consie in Mesa, AZ USA 09/30/2007

Best: St Marks Square, Basilica Companile
Why: Having seen this in pictures for years, finally being there was amazing. I even fed the pigeons twice (and am not a fan of birds!). We went up the Campanile - the view is astonishing. We enjoyed having Ricks book to point out stuff we might not have otherwise known in all our stops (Rome, Florence, Venice) and this was no exception. We took our gondola ride just before/at sunset - I was glad we did as you could see a lot more than I imagined we might see at night AND the lighting was so beautiful. We were urged by friends to see out a gondolier behind San Marco Piazza - off of some of the back canals and we were not disappointed, although while walking later near the Rialto, we did see a gondolier chase down a couple who must have been trying to get their ride for 100 euro and walked away when he wouldn't agree but wasn't willing to lose them either.

Tiphanie Benoit in Macomb, MI USA 09/08/2007

Best: Grand Canal Vaporetto Cruise
Why: So many interesting sights to see, relaxing, very informative and inexpensive. Also, getting tickets for Doge Palace Tour Great recommendation! We were there 8/07 and the line was huge! We got our ticket at the Correr Museum and walked right in. Saving time by not standing in time is priceless to us.

Bill & Pat Ernst in Sun City Center, FL USA 08/14/2007

Best: Doge's Palace
Why: Great, information in the guidebook. Never had to get an audioguide! Very interesting to see the workings of Venice's proud republic & the bridge of sighs. Also, great tip on going downstairs in the prison instead of following the crowd to the exit!

Worst: Murano
Why: Glass demonstration was very lame and short. The glass museum was closed.

Kate in Redondo Beach, CA USA 08/11/2007

Best: Grand Canal Tour and Doge's Palace
Why: The Grand Canal Tour on the slow boat got us aquainted to the city as we arrived. We went to Doge's Palace in the evening when it was nearly empty and enjoyed our self-guided tour and the views.

Devin in Olympia, WA USA 08/06/2007

Best: Venicescapes tours with Michael Broderick
Why: We'd like to highly recommend Venicescapes tours for travelers to Venice. We've just returned from our Venetian trip and found this tour to be exceptional. We took the "Splendors of Piety" tour, but Venicescapes offers many theme-based tours. Most tour guides point to a painting, give you a name, date, and some bits of information about the work: "notice the use of color in the Virgin's robe." Not so with Michael Broderick of Venicescapes. He is a first rate guide who integrates the art and artist with historical, cultural, political, social, economic, and theological ideas and events of the time. Equally impressive is Michael's ability to assess the group's background knowledge and offer meaningful context for everyone in the group. He keeps his tours small so that each member can have time for questions or comments, and the group can move quietly through a church or historical building. The pace is neither rushed nor leisurely, but exploratory, and we felt we were on an expedition to discover the wonders of Venice, its art and history.

Angie Corbet in Wayland, ma USA 07/17/2007

Best: Lagoon tour and non-tourist areas
Why: Lagoon tour great time to relax on the vaporetto and see the islands. Walk away from the tourist area and "get lost" exploring quiet campos. Enjoy prosecco outside a bar and watch the kids play and the grandmas talk

Craig in Salt Lake City, UT USA 07/11/2007

Best: The evening gondolla ride
Why: It sounds very cheesy but it was magical

Mendy Droke in Bainbridge Island , WA USA 07/05/2007

Best: Doges Palace
Why: Very authentic in terms of what is perserved, very colorful history.

Worst: The Guide named Rafaella
Why: She was nasty to many people in our group (we were all unrelated to each other). She sneered at children (one left the tour early in tears), lectured grown men, and wouldn't answer questions. If you reserved your tour in advance (recommended)ask who your guide will be. If it is Rafaella, ask to wait for the next tour.

stephanie c in towson, md USA 06/29/2007

Best: Venice
Why: Venice is clean, fresh, mysterious and exciting. I am so glad we saved her for our last destination. We happened upon a month long art festival and saw Sargent's Watercolor showing at the Correr Museum.

Worst: Siena
Why: Crowded, noisy and over run with tourists. Even though Florence and Rome were crowded, they are larger. Maybe I was disappointed because I expected a small quiet town. ChiusArelli Hotel was wonderful with a nice terrace and rooms at the back are quiet. But the crowds in town and at the square were overwhelming. 11 June 2007. I did find the small balcony at the Bar Paninoteca San Paolo and was delighted. The bathroom there is a fantastic light show!!

Megan Murphy in Austin, Tx USA 06/20/2007

Best: Doges Palace
Why: So much to see and learn

Craig Caldwell in Kaysville, UT USA 05/09/2007

Worst: nuovo venier in murano
Why: in March 2007 I purchased a chandelier from this factory for 3200 Euro. When I recieved it it was in a hundred pieces without instructions and I am not sure yet if it is even wired. I have tried to contact them through email whick they do not respond. I have called them and they said they would send the instructions. That was two weeks ago and not to my surprise nothing. I continue to email them and will call them again this weekend. It would be my recommendation for people to stay away from this place in the future. It looks like I may have learned the hard way and am not happy about it. If anyone knows how I do something about this please let me know. Thanks

louis cutalo in smithtown , ny USA 04/26/2007

Best: Basilica San Marco line skip and gondola ride
Why: Definitely check your bag to skip the Basilica San Marco line. Worked like a charm-the guy at the bag check actually said, "Now you can skip the line to get in!" Amazingly, we saw someone in the monstrous basilica line (1-2 hr wait) with the RS guidebook tucked under his arm. Guess it helps to read the book BEFORE you get in line! For a gondola ride on a chilly night, we walked away from the gondolier who quoted E160. He chased us down and we finally got the evening 1 hr tour for E100, cozy blankets included. Worth every eurocent.

Angela in Sammamish, WA USA 04/15/2007

Best: Venice
Why: The city is amazing. If you are in Venice for more than a day, get away from the Grand Canal. Go into the neighborhoods. The neighborhoods are charming and you might just be the only tourist you see for a couple of hours.

Worst: Grand Canal in Venice
Why: If you are in Venice for more than a day, please get away from the Grand Canal to see more of what Venice has to offer. The restaurants on the north side of the Rialto on the Canal are a total rip off. It's disgusting. Near the Rialto, avoid any business, restaurant, gelato stand, trinket shop, or whatever, that is on the Canal in this area. I hate to make a blanket statement like this, but your experience will be better by avoiding the businesses in this area. For the restaurants in particular, the quality might ok or so-so, but the prices are high even for Venice. If you eat at the restaurants on the north side of the Rialto on the Canal, the restaurants under the red tents right on the canal, you are going to get ripped off. They scam experts. Go into the neighborhoods. There are many places that serve excellent food. Within a three or four minute walk of the northside of the Rialto there are maybe six or seven osteria, trattoria, or restaurants. Enjoy these places.

phil in seattle, wa USA 04/01/2007

Best: Domus Orsoni
Why: It is a small b&b in the Canerreggio with only 5 rooms. They appear new and are very comfortable. The Orsoni family creates mosaics and the rooms are decorated with mosaics. It was very quiet at night and in the morning was near several markets where the locals shop. Plus it was near a 51/52 vaporetto stop and not too far from a 1/82 stop.

Sherry in Hernando, MS USA 03/27/2007

Best: The Venice Pass
Why: We bough an orange pass before we arrived and it was so convenient. We didn't have to stand in a huge line to buy tickets to the water bus from the airport, could hope on any public transportation, and enter a lot of museums. We probably could have used the blue pass since we never had to use the public toilets.

Worst: St. Mark's Square
Why: We were in historical costume and could barely walk because everyone stopped us to take pictures. That was ok...what wasn't ok was that during the picture taking, somebody reached inside my bodice and replaced about 15 Euro with a sunglass case and I never felt a thing (I even had it in a Rick Steve's pouch). Very creepy experience, though I have to say they sure had some skill!

Anita Elder in Seattle, WA USA 03/03/2007

Best: Scuola Grande & Frari Church Area
Why: You see some uncrowded and picturesque areas of Venice on the way to this area and yet you are treated to a lot of shopping and places to eat. Once you get there, you must go inside the Scuola Grande and the Frari and enjoy art by Tintoretto, Titian, Bellini and Donatello.

Luis Balcita in Naperville, IL USA 02/26/2007