4 Days in Venice and in Veneto region. What shouldn't I miss?
Aug 5th, 2005, 02:04 PM
#21
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Well I'll be driving on the A22 south from Austria. I'll leave Innsbruck in the morning, and Will probably stop somewhere along the way for lunch, or for a mid-day stop.
I chose Venice as a base town because it seemed like it was in the middle of everything. I really want to see Bassano del Grappa, and Verona. And I figured Venice would give me enough stuff to do for three or four days.
Which town would be better to stay in, for both a base town and to tour. Verona, Padua, or Vicenza. Verona seems a little out of the way of the rest of Veneto, but It might be nicer.
Is it really that hard to day trip from Venice?!
I chose Venice as a base town because it seemed like it was in the middle of everything. I really want to see Bassano del Grappa, and Verona. And I figured Venice would give me enough stuff to do for three or four days.
Which town would be better to stay in, for both a base town and to tour. Verona, Padua, or Vicenza. Verona seems a little out of the way of the rest of Veneto, but It might be nicer.
Is it really that hard to day trip from Venice?!
Aug 5th, 2005, 02:50 PM
#22
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Hi Romulus, if you are coming down A22 are you planning on staying on A22 and than turn east on A4? If so you would be going right by Verona. That would be a good place to stop and spend the night especially because you want to visit Verona. You could than drive further east on A4 and visit Vicenza and then continue on to Bassano di Grappa. The drive is not long so you would have time to check out the countryside and other small places if they seem interesting to you.
You said you have 4 full days. I assume that means 3 nights? Would you want to spend the night in Bassano di Grappa? If so you could the next day go from Bassano di Grappa and take the country road east to Asolo and stop there. This is a fantastic beautiful area. From Asolo you could go a bit further east on the country road and than take the main road south (sorry I don't know the #) to Castelfranco. Another place you might want to spend a bit of time in.
After visiting Castelfranco take the main road east again and you will be at Treviso. Another place you would probably like to visit. From Treviso the main road south takes you to Mestre and of course Venezia.
You could on the third night stay in Venice. Maybe at the end of the third day turn your vehicle in, enjoy Venice that evening (it is so nice when a lot of tourist have left) and of course enjoy Venice the 4th day.
I am just a little confused on the number of nights you will have Romulus. And will your flight be early the morning of the 5th day? If so than of course you will have 4 nights.
With 4 nights you could spend the 3rd night in Padova (another beautiful and interesting city). To reach Padova You just drive southwest from Mestre. Or you can drive due south from Castelfranco and skip seeing Treviso.
So many beautiful options!! Do you have a good road map for the area?
BTW, The region of Veneto is really quick to get around in except for the autostrada's which can get a lot of traffic, especially trucks hauling goods through NE Italy and further norht. Best wishes.
You said you have 4 full days. I assume that means 3 nights? Would you want to spend the night in Bassano di Grappa? If so you could the next day go from Bassano di Grappa and take the country road east to Asolo and stop there. This is a fantastic beautiful area. From Asolo you could go a bit further east on the country road and than take the main road south (sorry I don't know the #) to Castelfranco. Another place you might want to spend a bit of time in.
After visiting Castelfranco take the main road east again and you will be at Treviso. Another place you would probably like to visit. From Treviso the main road south takes you to Mestre and of course Venezia.
You could on the third night stay in Venice. Maybe at the end of the third day turn your vehicle in, enjoy Venice that evening (it is so nice when a lot of tourist have left) and of course enjoy Venice the 4th day.
I am just a little confused on the number of nights you will have Romulus. And will your flight be early the morning of the 5th day? If so than of course you will have 4 nights.
With 4 nights you could spend the 3rd night in Padova (another beautiful and interesting city). To reach Padova You just drive southwest from Mestre. Or you can drive due south from Castelfranco and skip seeing Treviso.
So many beautiful options!! Do you have a good road map for the area?
BTW, The region of Veneto is really quick to get around in except for the autostrada's which can get a lot of traffic, especially trucks hauling goods through NE Italy and further norht. Best wishes.
Aug 5th, 2005, 03:13 PM
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LoveItaly - could you elaborate a little on what's to see and do in Castelfranco? I've passed by there on the train a number of times, and now my interest is piqued enough to perhaps want to go for a day trip. Medieval? Old city?
Aug 6th, 2005, 01:14 PM
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Hello Romulus, well if I have helped at all that makes me very happy.
I love Veneto, the people are friendly but dignified, the food is fantastic and the small towns are so charming and easy to be in. Veneto has been my "home away from home". I am blessed to have many friends that live throughtout the region that are like family. I know all their family members and they know mine. In fact you would not want to see my long distant telephone bills, LOL.
Romulus, after I posted last night I received a phone call from a friend who has a house in Asolo but is in Milan during the week due to his job.
I asked him about Bassano di Grappa as I have never been there. Guess I will next visit to Veneto though, thanks to you.
He said to tell you to be sure to see the wood bridge that crosses the river, but no doubt you already know that. He said to tell you to be sure to enjoy the "white brandy".
Veneto is so beautiful, it always takes my breath away. It is peaceful and removed from the hordes of tourist. The country roads are so scenic.
I know you will have a beautiful visit. I hope you will file a trip report after you get home and settled in. I would love to hear about your impression of the region of Veneto.
Oh, btw, do be sure to drink the Prosecco wine also. And order the various risotto dishes. They are sooo good.
About CastelFranco (this is for you too Holly). CastelFranco is a charming and of course very old town. Think the population is about 30,000 or so.
It has the old walls, think they were built about 1200. There is the original castle by the wall and am sure that guided tours are still given. I wish my friend whose brother was a tour guide (as a volunteer) was available but unfortunatly she is out of the country for awhile so I can't reach her but that would be easy to find out once there. The Italian painter known as Giorgioni(o?) is said to be their native son although there is some question about that apparently.
It has some lovely shops, the old center is beautiful and again the food is so wonderful. CastelFranco is know for its radicchio, the reddish type vegtable that can be eaten in salads but is tradionally grilled and enjoyed as a side dish. not sure if it will be available right now as it is a winter vegtable but if you see it on a menu do try it. Very good!
The food in Veneto is unlike what a lot of people think of as "Italian food". It is simple and tends to be lighter. Very tasty!!
Holly, if you have the time I think you would enjoy a stop in CastelFranco.
And Romulus, my wishes to you for a beautiful and safe trip. Enjoy every moment!
I love Veneto, the people are friendly but dignified, the food is fantastic and the small towns are so charming and easy to be in. Veneto has been my "home away from home". I am blessed to have many friends that live throughtout the region that are like family. I know all their family members and they know mine. In fact you would not want to see my long distant telephone bills, LOL.
Romulus, after I posted last night I received a phone call from a friend who has a house in Asolo but is in Milan during the week due to his job.
I asked him about Bassano di Grappa as I have never been there. Guess I will next visit to Veneto though, thanks to you.
He said to tell you to be sure to see the wood bridge that crosses the river, but no doubt you already know that. He said to tell you to be sure to enjoy the "white brandy".
Veneto is so beautiful, it always takes my breath away. It is peaceful and removed from the hordes of tourist. The country roads are so scenic.
I know you will have a beautiful visit. I hope you will file a trip report after you get home and settled in. I would love to hear about your impression of the region of Veneto.
Oh, btw, do be sure to drink the Prosecco wine also. And order the various risotto dishes. They are sooo good.
About CastelFranco (this is for you too Holly). CastelFranco is a charming and of course very old town. Think the population is about 30,000 or so.
It has the old walls, think they were built about 1200. There is the original castle by the wall and am sure that guided tours are still given. I wish my friend whose brother was a tour guide (as a volunteer) was available but unfortunatly she is out of the country for awhile so I can't reach her but that would be easy to find out once there. The Italian painter known as Giorgioni(o?) is said to be their native son although there is some question about that apparently.
It has some lovely shops, the old center is beautiful and again the food is so wonderful. CastelFranco is know for its radicchio, the reddish type vegtable that can be eaten in salads but is tradionally grilled and enjoyed as a side dish. not sure if it will be available right now as it is a winter vegtable but if you see it on a menu do try it. Very good!
The food in Veneto is unlike what a lot of people think of as "Italian food". It is simple and tends to be lighter. Very tasty!!
Holly, if you have the time I think you would enjoy a stop in CastelFranco.
And Romulus, my wishes to you for a beautiful and safe trip. Enjoy every moment!
Aug 7th, 2005, 09:06 AM
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Thanks Again Love Italy, I'll be sure to post a trip report when I return!
You're very lucky to have so many friends in that region, it's nice to have a place to stay with people who know where to go!
You're very lucky to have so many friends in that region, it's nice to have a place to stay with people who know where to go!
Aug 7th, 2005, 09:23 AM
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Romulus, here is a post of mine from this past March-I liked Bassano very much, in fact, I'll be in Venice quite shortly, and may visit there again, or go on to Trieste.
Author: Spygirl
Date: 03/31/2005, 12:06 am
Statia: I think you might enjoy looking into Bassano del Grappa-a lovely town that I visited a couple of weeks ago, which sits on the Brenta river. You can walk the entire town in about an hour, (it has some great restaurants Osteria Terraglio was particularly good) as well as the historic Ponti degli Alpini-a wooden bridge with scenic views of the river and the Grappa mountains beyond. There is also a liquor shop, Nardini's, alongside the bridge where you can stop in and do some grappa tasting (one of the main reasons to go to Bassano-others are around as well) and a grappa museum close by.
Myself, I didn't care for Verona as much as I thought I would. The Arena was blah and largely uninteresting, Giulietta's balcony is very touristy, and although there is some good shopping along their main shopping street, overall, it didn't leave much of an impression with me.
Author: Spygirl
Date: 03/31/2005, 12:06 am
Statia: I think you might enjoy looking into Bassano del Grappa-a lovely town that I visited a couple of weeks ago, which sits on the Brenta river. You can walk the entire town in about an hour, (it has some great restaurants Osteria Terraglio was particularly good) as well as the historic Ponti degli Alpini-a wooden bridge with scenic views of the river and the Grappa mountains beyond. There is also a liquor shop, Nardini's, alongside the bridge where you can stop in and do some grappa tasting (one of the main reasons to go to Bassano-others are around as well) and a grappa museum close by.
Myself, I didn't care for Verona as much as I thought I would. The Arena was blah and largely uninteresting, Giulietta's balcony is very touristy, and although there is some good shopping along their main shopping street, overall, it didn't leave much of an impression with me.
Aug 7th, 2005, 09:40 AM
#28
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We were in that area in June. Here is what I can add:
Vicenza is one of the untouristed towns in Italy (at least that is what two local ladies told me, but I was sitting by myself having dinner and some wine.) The city is architecturally strong (primarily Palladio). Vicenza's pedestrian only area is quite large and quite popular with the people of Vicenza. Villa Rotunda is a popular sight but the interior is open only one day per week (?wednesday?). We stayed in the Hotel Due Mori, about 500 years old, one block off of the main piazza, they have NO parking of their own.
Bassano del Grappa is quite nice. The area around the old bridge is the interesting part of Bassano. We daytripped there so I can not recommend a hotel.
We went to Marostica (near Bassano). The medieval walls and castle are still intact. This is one of the places in Europe where they occasionally play chess with human chess pieces. The walls climb dramatically up the adjacent hill. I think that there are hotels within the medieval walls but I have no names for you. After we had left Marostica, someone mentioned that they along the old wall and up to the top of the hill/mountain to the old cannon platform. It is relatively small.
Vicenza is one of the untouristed towns in Italy (at least that is what two local ladies told me, but I was sitting by myself having dinner and some wine.) The city is architecturally strong (primarily Palladio). Vicenza's pedestrian only area is quite large and quite popular with the people of Vicenza. Villa Rotunda is a popular sight but the interior is open only one day per week (?wednesday?). We stayed in the Hotel Due Mori, about 500 years old, one block off of the main piazza, they have NO parking of their own.
Bassano del Grappa is quite nice. The area around the old bridge is the interesting part of Bassano. We daytripped there so I can not recommend a hotel.
We went to Marostica (near Bassano). The medieval walls and castle are still intact. This is one of the places in Europe where they occasionally play chess with human chess pieces. The walls climb dramatically up the adjacent hill. I think that there are hotels within the medieval walls but I have no names for you. After we had left Marostica, someone mentioned that they along the old wall and up to the top of the hill/mountain to the old cannon platform. It is relatively small.
