helsey12

My mother (she is only 50) and I will be driving from Siena to Vienna in late February and are looking for a small and charming town to spend the night in along the way. Venice is on the way, but a friend suggested that it would not be worth our time to only spend one night and have less than a full day to spend there.
Thoughts?
Thank you!

Michael

Villach, the first town in Åustria.

PalenQ

Vicenza, Italy is a sweet regional town probably about half way or so - known especially for its many Palladian (sp?) structure of that architect.

bobthenavigator

Villach is a good idea.
The total drive time will be at least 9 hours plus stops---get as far as Austria on day one.

helsey12

We were hoping for a smaller town, probably on the Italy side. Doesn't need to have a lot of attractions, just charm.

Michael

The area between the Alps going toward Villach and Venice has little charm and the main roads were clogged with truck traffic when we drove through going in the opposite direction.

bobthenavigator

If you want to digress, Gorizia has charm.

eluckhardt

Udine? I saw this TR from a few years back : http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...udine-area.cfm

If you are OK with adding on an extra hour or so of drive time and not going the most direct route, I think you should consider Ljubljana. I think it is a very charming town. But keep in mind you will also have to buy a vignette for Slovenia.

Or just go to Venice if you like. My first visit was from about 9am to 3 pm and I am definitely glad I went.