43918NOR
Full day excursion to Venice by train. Sightseeing with ACIS walking tour.
· Your timing today is governed by your train reservations. Be sure to check these carefully.
· A private boat launch will have been reserved from the station to St Mark’s Square and back. Check times on your voucher and call ahead to reconfirm.
Transfer from hotel to Santa Maria Novella station. Locate which platform your train is departing from. Validate your ticket, lead your group to the train and board.
On arrival in Venice, meet your private boat launch in front of the railway station and transfer into town. On arrival, keep the group together and walk with them to St Mark’s Square. Distribute the ACIS walking tours, give free time suggestions and get everyone started. Bear in mind that you are not allowed to guide and must be extremely discreet.
Make a very clear rendezvous to meet for departure and for any group activities – see below.
At the end of the afternoon meet the group and walk with them to your boat launch (same spot you were dropped off upon arrival).
Arrive back to the station, validate your return ticket and board the train.
You will be arriving in Florence in time for dinner.
TRANSPORTATION
Between the islands of Venice transportation is by water, using vaporettos and ferries, operated by ACTV. You can pick up a detailed timetable of all ACTV services and routes from the tourist office located at the San Marco/Vallaresso vaporetto stop. Line 1 travels slowly down the Grand Canal making many stops but giving a great view of Venice. Always check before boarding that the boat is going in the right direction – especially if you have forty people with you!!
Water taxis are private launches that can take up to 10 people, but are extremely expensive.
Gondolas are principally a tourist attraction, but there is a gondola service, available at several points along the Canal Grande, to ferry people across for 2 euro each. Look for the ‘Traghetto’ signs.
THINGS TO DO
The group will usually be interested in seeing glass blowing in action. You could call the Vecchia Murano group, who have several shops in Venice and will be pleased to arrange a visit for your group. If time allows you can arrange a visit to their factory on Murano island. They provide a transfer by boat from San Marco free of charge. Be sure to check if they provide a return transfer and if timing works.
A gondola ride is a must in Venice and most groups will want to do one. Each gondola takes a maximum of 5 people. You should find out how many people want to go and call the gondoliers to check on the price. You may want to do a musical ride, in which case the cost is higher and you have to allow for two musicians when you calculate the number of gondolas you will require. Charge your group a fair price per person. You pay per gondola. The gondola company usually used is the one in front of the Hotel Danieli. Alternatively, you can use the company in front of the hotel Doge Orseolo, through the colonnade of Piazza San Marco.
The Doge’s Palace. Once the symbol of Venetian power and glory. The visit includes the Bridge of Sighs and the Prisons.
Please note that as the Doge’s Palace is not a state-run museum NO free entrance is provided, therefore passports are not necessary.
The Accademia, the most important collection of Venetian art. Works by Bellini, Mantegna,Titian, Veronese etc.
Take the elevator to the top of the Campanile for a breathtaking view,
The Scuola Grande di San Rocco decorated with scenes of Old Testament by Tintoretto.
The church of the Frari, with the splendid Assumption of the Virgin by Titian.
The Peggy Guggenheim Foundation, containing an eclectic collection of modern art.
If you need to escape from the crowds, you could suggest a trip accross to the island of San Giorgio with its Palladian church, Tintorettos, and cloisters. Continue by vaporetto to the other side of Venice called the Zattere: lots of cafe terraces and a fantastic view over the Giudecca canal.
Also, a walk down the Campo Santa Margherita provides a good insight of a lively district with lots of university students.
SHOPPING
Apart from the (expensive) lace and glass shops that you will find everywhere, the major shopping area is between Rialto and San Marco. Venice is not, however, the best place to do major shopping.
Fast food, bars and pizzerias are everywhere. Restaurants tend to be expensive.
The famous cafes on the Piazza San Marco (Quadri and Florian) have prohibitive prices but, with their orchestras and unbeatable chic, are a part of the scene.
Recently there has been a revival of typical eateries, called Bacari, serving “cicchetti”, or snacks of all kinds of different local food. They are quite typical and usually cheaper than average restaurants.