When last in Venice a day at Murano, Burano, and then the Lido was lots of fun. The islands are still part of Venice, but are different to explore.
Am going back again this year, and have found that a day trip from Venice to the Dolomites for approximately $A165.00, which looks fantastic.
Its 8 hours from start to finish (but that's not 8 hours travel time). You travel by mini-van, stopping at different villages for monring tea, lunch, and general sightseeing and photo-snapping !
It looks like a great day out, so am going to try it.
Whilst I agree with Tomsys that a day out to Burano and Murano is worthwhile there is more to Venice than just these two islands. The short vaporetto journey across the channel from Burano to Torcello is equally well worthwhile I consider. This quiet island has a superb and very old (c. 638 AD) cathedral in Santa Maria Assunta with great mosaics ranging from 9th to 12 th centuries. The giant mosaic on the west wall of the Last Judgement, now complete with an apostles head rescued from a chapel in South Wales, is outstanding.. Next to this cathedral is the round church of Santa Fosca, 11th century, and in the Greek mode.
On your way from Murano to Burano the island of Mazzorbo now has two interesting restaurants and provides the oportunity to drink wine from grapes grown on Mazzorbo. On this island is the 14th century Gothic church of Santa Caterina with a campanile and bell dated 1318 AD.
If you are going to visit the Lido then a good day can be had taking the bus and ferry south along the chain of islands which leads eventually to the town of Chioggia. It is all inclusive on a travel card. The church of San Domenico is well worth a visit, if only to see the copy of the great painting of St. Paul by Carpaccio. I was fortunate to see the original in situ many years ago but nowadays you have to go to the Museo Diocesano in Via Sagrato. A pity because I always think paintings gain something by being seen where the artist intended them to be seen. Chioggia has some excellent fish restaurants with rather lower pricesd than in Venice.
As for travel to the Dolomites there are many fine towns closer at hand which cost a great deal less than the quoted $A165 to visit. Take the train (see www.trenitalia.it) to lovely cities such as Treviso, Padova, Vicenza or Verona and spend the money you have saved on an excellent meal which can be had in all these places. All contain fine art and architecture