Venice and Padua (maybe?)

As an "either/or" choice, I would put Torcello ahead of the Accademia - because I prefer outdoor buildings and atmosphere to inside art. And as well as the masterpieces, there's a lot of pretty mediocre stuff in the Accademia too... Others would choose the opposite, according to their choices. But if you get to Burano, you're ¾ of the way to Torcello, and it might be a long time before you come back. :-)

On this trip, I think you're wise limiting your time in Padova. The piazza is nice, not as touristy (IMHO) as someone suggested earlier in this thread, but it doesn't compare with San Marco for architecture, sheer scale or atmosphere.

Good luck with your planning. It's encouraging to see somebody taking the time to think things through and do some decent research.

I think that you have long since realised that you could be spending a month in Venice without getting bored ;-).
Torcello "versus" the Accademia is indeed a difficult choice. I mostly also prefer sights outside, but I also like the Accademia a lot. Yes, there are some not so spectacular paintings there, but there also very very amazing pieces of art there (in my opinion of course). If you dont mind getting up fairly early, I would be there when it opens at 8am and allow at least one hour for the main Highlights (which are at the very beginning and very end of the "suggested itinerary around the Museum"). With one hour you wont have enough time to see it all of course, but it will still be better than nothing in my opinion.

Thank you all for all your suggestions!!! This is so much to take in, but it has definitely given me a bunch to think over! We are going to Europe to visit my brother-in-law in Germany, and both of us were like, hey, while we're in Europe, why not go somewhere else, like, say, Venice? So I feel, this is kind of an unexpected side-trip.....and so I definitely want to get as much out of it as possible!!! I'll let you all know what we decide!!! Thanks again for all your help!!!! :-)

#22 You're most welcome and have fun further planning your unexpected side-trip

There was an interesting documentary about Venice on tv here last night....Venice by night.Its great at 3am..no tourists at all ;-)

That sounds very interesting Luca. I guess the documentary was in Italian ? If not, do you know the name of it ?

Yes,its called 'Stanotte a Venezia'.The presenter is Alberto Angela.

Its not available on video yet,maybe later....

Thanks Luca, I will wait and check again in a couple of weeks.

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