Greg, Venice is a wonderful place to wander, all along the Grand Canal and into the neighborhoods. I would think with a good map and guidebook you could find the sights and soak up the unique ambience quite easily, without a tour guide. It's not a large area to cover, with so much to see over every bridge and down every little walkway. One good initiation is to take the vaparetto (No. 1 or 8, I think, but that might not be correct) that goes all the way along the Grand Canal and back. Enjoy!
