From Venice Marco Polo Airport, the easiest arrival into the city is a private water taxi or Alilaguna boat depending on your budget and how much luggage you’re carrying. A private water taxi is the smoothest door-to-door option: figure about 30–40 minutes to San Marco or Dorsoduro, and roughly €120–160 total for the boat. Alilaguna is cheaper at around €15–20 pp, but slower at 45–60 minutes and a bit more fiddly with bags. If you land around late morning and want to keep the day easy, go straight to your hotel or the nearest vaporetto stop, drop your luggage, and don’t overthink the first hour—Venice rewards a slow start.
Start at Rialto Market in San Polo while the city still feels properly alive. If it’s a weekday, the fish and produce stalls usually have the best energy before lunch, and by early afternoon things thin out. It’s not a huge time commitment—about 45 minutes is enough—but it gives you that first real Venice feeling: boats unloading, vendors calling out, locals weaving through with shopping bags. From there, wander a few minutes over to Rialto Bridge for the classic view down the Grand Canal. It gets crowded, but early to mid-morning is still the best window for photos before the bridge turns into a shoulder-to-shoulder stream.
For lunch, book a table at Trattoria alla Madonna, tucked near Rialto in San Polo. It’s a solid, old-school choice for Venetian seafood without the gimmicks, and it’s convenient enough that you won’t waste energy crossing the city. Expect around €35–60 per person, depending on wine and whether you go for pasta, fritto misto, or grilled fish. Afterward, make your way to Piazza San Marco—either on foot if you’re enjoying the alleys, or by vaporetto if you’re tired and want to save your legs. The square changes character through the day: late afternoon is lovely because the light softens on the stone arcades, but it’s still lively enough to feel the city’s pulse.
Finish with Basilica di San Marco, and go with the expectation that this is the day’s big visual payoff. Typical visiting time is about 1 hour, but lines and security can stretch that, so it’s smart to arrive with a little buffer. Entry to the main basilica is often free or low-cost, while extra areas like the Pala d’Oro or museum sections cost more. Dress modestly, keep shoulders covered, and if you’re tired by this point, that’s fine—Venice is one of those places where even a short evening wander after the basilica feels memorable. Afterward, you can drift back through San Marco or along the canals without a strict plan; on a first night, the city is best when you leave yourself a bit untethered.
If you’re coming in from Venice by the ATVO / Cortina Express coach, plan on a fairly early start so you can still make the most of the day in the mountains. Once you arrive in Cortina d’Ampezzo, pick up any last-minute snacks, water, or picnic bits in town, then head straight toward Lago di Misurina. It’s an easy, low-effort first stop and the kind of place that instantly makes the whole trip feel alpine: mirror-flat water, big views, and a calm shoreline walk. Give yourself about 45 minutes here — enough for a coffee, a few photos, and a slow reset before the bigger scenery starts.
From Misurina, continue up to Tre Cime di Lavaredo for the classic Dolomites experience. If you’re doing the full circuit, expect 3–4 hours depending on pace and photo stops; if you’re keeping it lighter, there are still excellent viewpoints near the trailhead. The terrain is straightforward but exposed, so bring layers even in June — weather can turn quickly, and the wind at altitude has a way of reminding you who’s in charge. For lunch, Rifugio Auronzo is the practical stop right at the start/end of the loop: simple mountain fare, soups, polenta, sandwiches, beer, and espresso, usually around €20–35 per person. It’s not fancy, but it’s exactly the right kind of fuel before or after the walk.
If the timing still feels good after Tre Cime, head for Lake Braies (Lago di Braies) for a gentler, greener finish to the day. It’s one of those places that looks almost unreal in person, especially when the light starts softening in the afternoon. Budget about 1.5 hours there — enough for the lakeshore loop, a few slow views, and maybe a boat if you happen to catch one without a long wait. Then roll back to Cortina d’Ampezzo for dinner at Elbrus, a solid, comfortable choice for post-hike eating: alpine comfort food, generous portions, and a good local crowd. Book ahead in summer if you can, aim for 7:30–8:30 pm, and expect around €30–55 per person depending on wine and how hungry you are.
From Cortina d’Ampezzo, plan on leaving early enough to arrive in Ortisei with time to spare for the cable car up to Seceda—in practice that means a mid-to-late morning start if you’re on a private transfer or driving, with the mountain roads taking roughly 2.5 hours depending on traffic and stops. If you have a car, park in the village lots on the edges of Ortisei and walk into the center; if you’re using a transfer, have them drop you as close as possible to the Seceda lift station so you’re not dragging bags uphill. Once you’re up, give yourself plenty of time to just stand there: the ridge views are the whole point, and on a clear day the knife-edge skyline is one of those Dolomite moments that feels almost unreal. The cable car typically runs from morning into late afternoon, with tickets usually in the €35–45 range for a round trip, and it’s worth going fairly early for softer light and fewer queues.
After coming down, head straight to Rifugio Firenze for lunch rather than trying to squeeze in something back in town. It’s the kind of place where the terrace matters as much as the food—simple alpine plates, polenta, dumplings, and a glass of local white or a beer, usually around €20–35 per person depending on how hungry you are. Once you’re back in Ortisei, take a gentle stroll through St. Ulrich / Ortisei town center: wander the pedestrian streets around Via Rezia, browse the woodcarving shops and outdoor gear stores, and swing by the church area for a quieter look at the village away from the lift crowds. It’s an easy, restorative break after the high views, and you don’t need to overplan it.
For a proper reset, spend the afternoon at Mar Dolomit. It’s a very local way to finish a mountain day: a swim, a sauna, and a bit of downtime with sore legs and dry boots left behind. Expect roughly €15–25 depending on what access you choose, and bring a swimsuit, flip-flops, and a towel if you have them; the vibe is relaxed and practical rather than fancy. Then keep dinner in town at Tubladel, which is one of the better “treat yourself” meals in Ortisei without feeling stiff. Book ahead if you can—summer evenings fill up—and aim for around €45–80 per person with wine. It’s a good closing note to the day: polished Ladin cuisine, warm service, and no need to rush back out afterward.
Leave Ortisei or Selva di Val Gardena around 9:30–10:00am so you have a relaxed buffer for your 9:30pm flight. The drive is typically 3.5–4.5 hours by private shuttle or taxi, depending on traffic and how smoothly you get through the Val Pusteria and Belluno corridors; if you’re self-driving, the A27 is the most straightforward approach into Venice. Aim to arrive with time to spare rather than trying to “max out” the morning—this is the kind of route where one roadworks delay can eat an hour. If you’re in a private car, a quick stop around Belluno or near the Piave is the best place to stretch your legs without derailing the schedule.
If you get into Venice early enough, head straight to Giudecca waterfront for a calmer final look at the lagoon. It’s one of the city’s nicest “exhale” walks: less frantic than the centre, big open views, and a proper sense of Venice from the water’s edge. From there, take a vaporetto back toward Zattere and continue into Dorsoduro for the Peggy Guggenheim Collection—usually about €16–17 entry, and it takes around 75 minutes if you move at an easy pace. It’s compact, air-conditioned, and ideal before an airport evening; the museum is generally open until early evening, but do check the day’s hours before you go. Afterward, a short walk or vaporetto ride brings you to Piazza San Marco for a final coffee or aperitivo at Caffè Florian—beautiful, undeniably pricey, and worth it if you want one last elegant Venice moment. Expect roughly €15–30 per person for coffee or a simple drink, more if you linger for sweets or a glass of prosecco.
When you’re ready to head to the airport, keep the transfer simple and direct from Dorsoduro or the centre to Venice Marco Polo Airport—the timing here matters more than squeezing in one more stop. For a 9:30pm departure, it’s smart to aim to be at the airport by 6:30–7:00pm so you’re not rushing security or dealing with a queue at check-in. Once you’re through, there’s enough decent post-security food to make the wait painless: grab a relaxed dinner, a sandwich, or a last spritz at the airport bars and restaurants, and budget around €20–40 per person. If you’re still hungry, a final snack before boarding is the easiest way to end the trip without adding any more moving parts.