Looking for ideas for 5 day stay in North Italy, this November. We wil be just coming off a cruise ( my wife's retirement) on the Pacific Princess ... 12 day Holy Land Cruise... disembarking in Venice on the 11th. Our flight home leaves 6 days later. We have been to Venice before......but only for 2 days, Any Suggestions......what to do ....where to stay....where to go. I thought that maybe an apt in venice, with a few day trips to surrounding areas. Wonder if there would be a place to go skiing for a day.....say in Austria , or is that too far from Venice? Maybe there is plenty to do in Venice...What about the other islands? Perhaps someone knows of some romantic places nearby .Thanks

I could easily get lost in Venice the whole time as I think it is a magical place! I do not know if you are into art, because we did a day trip to Padua to see the Scrovegni Chapel by Gioto is a masterpiece of western art. And what about the Dolomites. Skiing in early November I would think is pretty questionable.

We've spent some time in Venice, and love it. I should declare that both my wife and I are Venice nut cases.

In six days, you would see a lot of Venice, and it’s a good time to visit. There are fewer tourists, and the weather is not too cold. You can expect fogs – and there is no more beautiful sight than Venice wreathed in fog, with amazing land marks appearing and then vaporising in front of your eyes.
Six days would give you time to take a day trip to say Padua or Verona – easy to do by train. I think that a day skiing would be a lot of work for not much time on the slopes. The other islands in the lagoon, particularly Torcello and Burano are worth visiting – Murano is a maybe, but watch out for Venetian glass that comes from the Peoples Republic of China!
I’d suggest that for that amount of time, an apartment would make sense. We have stayed here and found it comfortable. The second floor apartment is nice, has a balcony with good views. You’ll notice that it’s booked from 20th November through to the end of the year – it’s booked by us! Owner is in San Francisco, so you can pay using USD.
http://realvenicevacationflats.com/

I wrote a bit of a trip report last time we visited – it is here:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...st-verbose.cfm

Also Anne’s trip report is good to read:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...and-we-saw.cfm

Venice charms many people, and I could easily spend a week there -- in fact, I have, and returned for more, Many people think Venice is itself one of the most romantic destinations in Europe and wouldn't look elsewhere. You saw it already. Did it impress you that way? Many people find Verona romantic, and it is easily reached from Venice, even for a day trip.

I don't think it makes a good base if you are not interested in mainly being in Venice and the lagoon. Maybe there are skiing destinations nearby in early November, but I don't think you could easily day trip to them.

Like you said, "maybe there is plenty to do in Venice" -- but only if it is something like to do. It is a city without nightlife, and almost no indoor activities other than touring art in churches and museums. In November, you can expect rain. Most people like to wander the old streets and canals.

If you read up and don't think six days of that will hold your interest, Italy is full of marvelous alternatives, full of romance. But what do you and your wife like to do other than ski, and what do you think would make for a romantic adventure in Italy?

PS: Do you call yourself "songboy" because you are interested in music? What kind?