In a few weeks I'm traveling to Venice to finalize hotel and other group arrangements.   I would like to find out what would make the best Pre-Cruise experience for you. 

I've included sections with information before each question because the majority of my cruisers have never been to Venice before.  So it's Venice 101 + What do you like.

Thanks for taking time to read & answer.

Length of Trip:  My ideal Pre-Cruise trip for Venice is 4 nights.  Here are a few of the things that Fred & I would personally like to do and our reasoning behind a 4 night stay.

Our Sample Itinerary
Note:  This is what we like and it's just an example - We would like to help you develop your personal itinerary that hits all of your interests.

Wednesday Day 1:  The arrival day is shot for me because of the time change.  Venice is 6 hours ahead of Eastern time.  The flight I usually take is a red eye leaving PHL at 6:00 pm and arriving into Venice the next morning at 9:00 am.  I prefer to stay on the island of Venice.  I like to be immersed in the true Venetian experience.  That is after all why I'm going there. 

I will arrive before check in time at the hotel, so I get them to keep my luggage and take a nice walk to explore the area surrounding my hotel or buy a vaperetto ticket and take a cruise around the island and point out the sights I recognize from previous trips.  Once my room is ready a nap, a relaxing dinner then perhaps a stroll thru St. Marks after dark.  I can hear the string quartets now... The island is SO much nicer once the hoards of cruise passengers leave for the day or the big groups head back to the hotels by the airport.

Thursday Day 2:  You will probably notice a bit of a foodie trend in my plans for Venice, but here it is: 

Early morning market tour of Rialto Markets, afternoon exploring the island of Burano and night time concert.

On Burano I actually have a restaurant scouted out for lunch...   Da Romano  on my list because I love Anthony Bourdain and saw it in his show on Venice.  At night there are amazing concerts in small authentic venues.  It's is a little early for the 2012 schedule but you can always count on hearing something Vivaldi in Venice.   I also think it would be a blast to get a group together to do something like Musica a Palazzo  and like all things lifestyle it would be even more fun if all 70 seats for the performance were filled with sexy cruisers.

Friday Day 3:  Day at a Lido Beach - the outlying islands surrounding Venice have lovely beaches.  Since the summer is hot and I've done all the popular site seeing venues I like to mingle with the local beach scene.  Lido is an easy Vaperetto ride from Venice.  I'll probably spring for renting a beach bed at one of the beach clubs.  Friday Night:  Miss Lynn's Must DO Pub Crawl & Cichetti Tour.  I'll be organizing this tour for anyone booked on the cruise to join.  A casual way to mix and mingle plus foodie events like this are really my passion.   - Our tour will include things like this:  cichetti tour (aka pub crawl with tapas)  This is what I do in Venice.  I love staking out the small local places, the back street finds with the amazing local flavor (at a reasonable price) 

Saturday Day 4:  Day time 'get lost walk' thru the non-touristy streets of Venice (or how I find the best local restaurants & pubs) Mostly just getting ready to kick off the night and meet lots of sexy cruisers.  I'm looking forward to the Night Before the Cruise party... I've heard there are some super sexy things in the planning stages.  I'm also going to plan a night time gondola ride in my Venetian finery!
 
Sunday - Azamara Quest Sails from San Basilio Pier not the huge Marittima ship basin.

Because I've been to Venice several times I've left a few of the most popular tourist activities off my list.  If you haven't been you should plan to include:  Doge's Palace tour & St Marks Basilica.  Harry's Bar is always popular (but grossly over priced)

How many nights pre-cruise would you like to spend in Venice?

Is this your first trip to Venice? 
If you have visited before where did you stay? 
Would you want to stay there again?

There are several areas to consider on your trip to Venice

 Mestre hotels are larger and accomodate groups.  The most reasonable hotel rates can be found in this area.

Venice hotels particularly with canal views are the most desirable and the most expensive option.  These historic accommodations are much smaller than standard hotel rooms in the US. 

Lido Island there are some larger convention style hotels on Lido.  ie:Westin that might make a good option for a group.

Which area of Venice would you prefer to stay in?

What is your general hotel budget range?  The current rate is about  1 Euro = $1.45 USD right now

Please check activities you would like to do and the time frame you would be interested in.

Please share any ideas comments or things you think we should include to make your trip the most fun possible: