Any good or bad days to visit Venice?

Are museums closed on Mondays or free like in Malta on Sunday?

Is the weekend best avoided?

Is there any free stuff that's worth a look?

Thanks Mark

In Venice, as in many cities, different museums close on different days, so
there is no one day to avoid for that reason.

Weekends are, naturally, more crowded with tourists, so if that bothers you
another time of week would be a good idea. Also, much of what you want to
see is in churches, and they are closed to tourists during services.

As to "free stuff," there is a wealth of it. Most (but not all) the churches
are free, and many contain very great works of art indeed. A vaporetto ride
on Line 1 the length of the Grand Canal, while not precisely free, is quite
cheap, and it gives you a wonderful view of this spectacular waterway with
its magnificent palaces, churches, etc.

One of the best ways to enjoy the city is to walk. You can just wander
aimlessly if you wish; you are sure to find many wonderful sights (actually,
anyplace in Venice is wonderful). Or you can pick up self-guided walking
tours at your local bookstore or library as well as on the internet. My wife
and I recently spent a full day on such a walking tour of the Dorsoduro
area, one less visited by tourists than San Marco. We enjoyed every minute
of it.

Whatever you do, please be sure to get away from San Marco. It is, of
course, one of the world's most beautiful spots. But there is so much more
to Venice than that, and most tourists miss the rest. Explore on your own
and you will be delighted. I promise.
"Mark" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Any good or bad days to visit Venice?
    > Are museums closed on Mondays or free like in Malta on Sunday?
    > Is the weekend best avoided?
    > Is there any free stuff that's worth a look?
    > Thanks Mark

"Mark" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Any good or bad days to visit Venice?
It is very crowded with Milanese and Bolognese on weekends -- in the season
( any time between late May and Early September) it is crowded much of the
time. At no time is it less than moderately crowded during the day ( the
bulk of tourists are day trippers) -- 13 to 15 million visitors a year in a
town of 60,000.
    > Are museums closed on Mondays or free like in Malta on Sunday?
Those that charge are never free. Don't know of any museums that the average
person would be interested in that are free. Closing days vary, although
many do not close at all.
    > Is the weekend best avoided?
see above
    > Is there any free stuff that's worth a look?
The basilica, the second most beautiful cathedral in the world, is free,
and a must - the lines move fast. Many churches are free (Zanopolo is free,
and a must) and you can enter the ones that charge admission and look about
from the area of the ticket booth. A seat on a bench near a canal is free.
The view from the Rialto bridge is free.
rjf

    > Thanks Mark

On Wed, 14 May 2003 20:54:09 +0100, Mark wrote:

    > Are museums closed on Mondays or free like in Malta on Sunday?

Since no one's listed the days, I'll pass on what I've gathered through
research (though I can't guarantee it):

- Churches close Sunday morning (maybe all day Sunday)
- Palazzo Mocenigo closed Mondays
- Burano lace museum closed Tuesdays
- Glass factory in Murano closed Wednesdays

There may be others; I'll only be there Sunday evening through Wednesday,
so I wasn't keeping track of other days.

--
-BB-
To reply to me, drop the attitude (from my e-mail address, at least)

.> The basilica, the second most beautiful cathedral in the world, is free,
    > and a must .

True, entrance to the basilica is free. But there are admission charges to
visit certain parts of the building, including the Treasury and the Pala
d'Oro, the latter of which is an absolute must for its wealth of precious
stones if not for its artistic beauty.

On Wed, 14 May 2003 20:21:05 GMT, in rec.travel.europe, "Bob Fusillo"
arranged some electrons, so they looked like this :


... The basilica, the second most beautiful cathedral in the world, is free,
... and a must - the lines move fast. Many churches are free (Zanopolo is free,
... and a must) and you can enter the ones that charge admission and look about
... from the area of the ticket booth. A seat on a bench near a canal is free.
... The view from the Rialto bridge is free.

The air you breathe is free, too ?

US public television had an interesting program (part of the NOVA
series) last night on the flooding problems in Venice, causes and
solutions.
--
wf.

Bob Fusillo wrote:
    >
    > "Mark" wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > > Any good or bad days to visit Venice?
    > It is very crowded with Milanese and Bolognese on weekends -- in the season
    > ( any time between late May and Early September) it is crowded much of the
    > time. At no time is it less than moderately crowded during the day ( the
    > bulk of tourists are day trippers) -- 13 to 15 million visitors a year in a
    > town of 60,000.
    > >
    > > Are museums closed on Mondays or free like in Malta on Sunday?
    > Those that charge are never free. Don't know of any museums that the average
    > person would be interested in that are free. Closing days vary, although
    > many do not close at all.
    > >
    > > Is the weekend best avoided?
    > see above
    > >
    > > Is there any free stuff that's worth a look?
    > The basilica, the second most beautiful cathedral in the world, is free,
    > and a must - the lines move fast. Many churches are free (Zanopolo is free,
    > and a must) and you can enter the ones that charge admission and look about
    > from the area of the ticket booth. A seat on a bench near a canal is free.
    > The view from the Rialto bridge is free.
    > rjf
    >
    > >
    > > Thanks Mark
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >

Places close on different days, and the guide books are not terribly
accurate as to which day. I do not recall seeing a discount/free day
at any place that charges for admission.

Some of the fees are quite high for the viewing treasure offered.

On 14 May 2003 23:49:27 GMT, BB wrote:

    >On Wed, 14 May 2003 20:54:09 +0100, Mark wrote:
    >> Are museums closed on Mondays or free like in Malta on Sunday?
    >Since no one's listed the days, I'll pass on what I've gathered through
    >research (though I can't guarantee it):
    >- Churches close Sunday morning (maybe all day Sunday)
    >- Palazzo Mocenigo closed Mondays
    >- Burano lace museum closed Tuesdays
    >- Glass factory in Murano closed Wednesdays
    >There may be others; I'll only be there Sunday evening through Wednesday,
    >so I wasn't keeping track of other days.

    > The air you breathe is free, too ?
Pro-rated on the high prices you pay to be in Venice, you are subsidizing
the air. Unhappily, much of the air you actually get is imported from the
factories in Mestre.
rjf

I like Tuesday through Friday in Venice, avoiding the weekend
crowds and the closing of the fish market at the Rialto Bridge,
which is closed Sun. and Mon... maybe Saturday, too. If you are
a foodie, you must see this market.

Mark wrote:

    > Any good or bad days to visit Venice?
    > Are museums closed on Mondays or free like in Malta on Sunday?
    > Is the weekend best avoided?
    > Is there any free stuff that's worth a look?
    > Thanks Mark