Day 1: Saturday
Benvenuti! Welcome to your Italian home! Unpack, unwind, and get settled. Explore your local neighborhood to find grocery shops, restaurants, and the nearest coffee bar. Purchase a vaporetto pass for the week.

Day 2: Sunday
Explore Venice neighborhood by neighborhood starting with the San Marco and Castello sections. Visit San Marco Basilica, the Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, and go to the top of the Campanile to get an overview of Venice. Visit the tourist office just off of Piazza San Marco. Walk to La Fenice, to reserve a tour or to buy tickets to a concert or opera. Visit Campo Santo Stefano. Window shop. Lunch, rest and then explore the Castello area - the Santi Giovanni and Paolo, San Giorgio degli Schiavoni, San Pietro di Castello, the arsenal, the Naval History Museum and wonderful area where the Biennale of Modern Art is held in the Giardini Pubblici even number years. Dine at Osteria Oliva Nera, Castello 3417/8 near San Giorgio degli Schiavoni - phone 041 522 2170.

Day 3: Monday
Get an early start, to watch the boats unload the day's supplies. Ride the vaporetto number 41 or 42 from San Zaccheria near San Marco all the way though the Giudecca Canal and then through the Cannaregio Canal to the islands. Notice as you glide under the historic bridges - Ponte Guglio and the Tre Archi. Islands - Murano: Watch glass being blown. Continue to Burano to see lace making and gorgeous (and expensive) masks. Enjoy a romantic evening in the Rialto Bridge Area with dinner at Fiaschetteria Toscana, San Giovanni, Cannaregio 5719 - near Campo Santa Marina.

Day 4: Tuesday
Return to the Cannaregio area to explore the ancient Ghetto, the open-air markets and the university area. Walk to the Ca' d'Oro and San Michele.Cross the Canal Grande by traghetto and explore Campo San Polo and I Frari. Venice's churches are full of art treasures - check your guidebooks - even if you are not keen on seeing many churches. Dinner with reservations at Osteria da Fiore, Calle del Scaleter, San Polo (see restaurant guide).

Day 5: Wednesday
Accademia area - Visit the Accademia and the Peggy Guggenheim museum. On to the Dorsoduro for La Salute, the Guidecca and San Giorgio Maggiore and visit the gondola workshop at Zattere. Finish with the Santa Croce area for the Fondaco dei Turchi and Ca' Pesaro. Dinner at Antica Besseta, Santa Croce 041 721 687.

Day 6: Thursday
Brenta River Cruise from Venice to Padua along the Brenta Riviera past all the fabulous Palladian villas, stopping along the way to visit. In Padua don't miss the Capella degli Scrovegni for the beautiful Giotto frescoes. Rail home. Dinner at Gondolieri near San Vio, Dorsoduro 041 528 6396

Day 7: Friday
Lido di Venezia: If you are there in early September, don't miss the Film Festival. You just might spot a famous movie star! Pack and finish your shopping. Dinner at Covo in Castello. 041 522 3812. Take a last stroll around Venice and a gondola ride.

Day 8: Saturday
Water taxi to the station or airport. Reflect on all you've done and save the rest for next time. Arrivederci!

Other Ideas

Take a guided walking tour. We have an expert guide that our customers love.

Take a cooking class & share the meal with the English-speaking teacher.

See daytrip ideas for the Veneto region.

Avoid heat and crowds in July & August, particularly on weekends, when the cruise ships arrive. Try Venice in the cooler months, particularly in winter, when Venice is misty and magical.