Basilica di San Marco and The Palazzo Ducale

We were only in Venice for two days and we covered a lot.  Of course you will go to the Basilica di San Marco and the Piazza San Marco.  (The Piazza San Marco is very beautiful at night and you should take a second trip there after sunset to soak up the atmosphere).  

While at the Basilica,  climbing to the top is a must.  There are some exquisite views of the Piazza as well as the magnificent detail on the top of the building that are too good to be missed.  If you like taking photographs and have a good zoom lens you will also be able to take some great pictures of the surrounding buildings. 

From there you will want to make your way over to the Campanile.  You can take an elevator to the top for the views it offers of the whole city. 

If you are pressed on time, don’t dawdle too much because you will want to make your way over the incredibly impressive Palazzo Ducale. 

The Palazzo Ducale was once a political hub and home to the doge, it still remains the grandest of all the Venetian palazzi.  Arrive at least two hours before it closes.  Some of the rooms close early and if you arrive too late you will not be admitted to see them.  Although the entire building is more magnificent than you could imagine, nothing will prepare you for the beauty of the sala del maggior consiglio.  It is the largest room in the palazzo (as well as the city) and was the meeting place for the Great Council.  It also houses the largest oil painting of the world, which depicts Dante’s Paradiso.  It is a sight you don’t want to miss.